Math Problem Statement

A trolley with two wheels one metre apart is moved clockwise on the circular track around a ground with radius 50 m (described by right wheel). If the size of each wheel is of 1 foot radius and the right wheel turns 1000 times, how many times will the other wheel turn?

Solution

To solve the problem, we need to compare the number of turns made by the right wheel and the left wheel while the trolley moves around the circular track.

Given:

  1. The radius of the circular track (right wheel's path) is 50 meters.
  2. The distance between the two wheels is 1 meter (this is the distance between the tracks of the right and left wheels).
  3. Each wheel has a radius of 1 foot (approximately 0.3048 meters).
  4. The right wheel turns 1000 times.

Step 1: Calculate the circumference of the right wheel's path.

The right wheel is moving along the circular path with a radius of 50 meters. The circumference Cright trackC_{\text{right track}} of the circle is given by: Cright track=2π×50=100π metersC_{\text{right track}} = 2\pi \times 50 = 100\pi \text{ meters}

Step 2: Calculate the total distance traveled by the right wheel.

The right wheel turns 1000 times. The circumference of the right wheel itself CwheelC_{\text{wheel}} is: Cwheel=2π×0.30481.915 metersC_{\text{wheel}} = 2\pi \times 0.3048 \approx 1.915 \text{ meters} The total distance DrightD_{\text{right}} traveled by the right wheel is: Dright=1000×1.915=1915 metersD_{\text{right}} = 1000 \times 1.915 = 1915 \text{ meters}

Since the distance traveled by the right wheel on the ground is equal to the circumference of the track, the trolley moves along the entire right wheel path (the outer circle). Therefore, the right wheel covers the track's circumference Cright track=100π314.16 metersC_{\text{right track}} = 100\pi \approx 314.16 \text{ meters}.

Step 3: Calculate the circumference of the left wheel's path.

The left wheel is 1 meter inside the right wheel. So, the radius of the left wheel's path is 501=49 meters50 - 1 = 49 \text{ meters}. The circumference Cleft trackC_{\text{left track}} of the left wheel's path is: Cleft track=2π×49=98π307.88 metersC_{\text{left track}} = 2\pi \times 49 = 98\pi \approx 307.88 \text{ meters}

Step 4: Calculate the number of turns made by the left wheel.

The total distance traveled by the left wheel is Cleft trackC_{\text{left track}}. The number of turns NleftN_{\text{left}} made by the left wheel is: Nleft=Distance traveled by the left wheelCircumference of the left wheelN_{\text{left}} = \frac{\text{Distance traveled by the left wheel}}{\text{Circumference of the left wheel}} The circumference of the left wheel is the same as the right wheel, Cwheel=1.915 metersC_{\text{wheel}} = 1.915 \text{ meters}. Therefore, the number of turns made by the left wheel is: Nleft=307.881.915160.71 turnsN_{\text{left}} = \frac{307.88}{1.915} \approx 160.71 \text{ turns}

Thus, the left wheel will turn approximately 160.71 times when the right wheel turns 1000 times.


Do you want more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions to explore further:

  1. How would the result change if the wheels had different radii?
  2. What happens if the trolley is moved counterclockwise?
  3. How does the distance between the wheels affect the number of turns?
  4. What would happen if the radius of the track is doubled?
  5. How would the number of turns change if both wheels were turning on a straight path?

Tip: When dealing with circular motion problems, always focus on comparing the circumferences and radii of paths to calculate relative distances and rotations.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Circular Motion
Geometry
Ratios

Formulas

Circumference of a circle: C = 2πr
Distance traveled = Number of turns × Circumference of the wheel
Number of turns = Distance traveled / Circumference of the wheel

Theorems

Properties of circles in circular motion

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12