Math Problem Statement

A ferris wheel is 10 meters in diameter and boarded from a platform that is 3 meters above the ground. The six o'clock position on the ferris wheel is level with the loading platform. The wheel completes 1 full revolution in 2 minutes. The function h = f(t) gives your height in meters above the ground t minutes after the wheel begins to turn.

What is the Amplitude? meters What is the Midline? y = meters What is the Period? minutes How High are you off of the ground after 1 minutes? meters

Solution

Let's break this down systematically.

1. Amplitude

The amplitude is half the diameter of the ferris wheel, which tells us the distance from the midline to the peak or trough of the wheel's motion.

  • Diameter = 10 meters
  • Amplitude AA = 102=5\frac{10}{2} = 5 meters

Answer: Amplitude = 5 meters


2. Midline

The midline represents the average height of the motion, which corresponds to the center of the ferris wheel plus the height of the boarding platform.

  • The wheel’s center is 5 meters above the platform (half of the diameter).
  • The platform is 3 meters above the ground.

Thus, the midline is:
y=5+3=8metersy = 5 + 3 = 8 \, \text{meters}

Answer: Midline = y = 8 meters


3. Period

The period is the time it takes to complete one full revolution of the ferris wheel. In this case, we are told that the wheel completes one revolution every 2 minutes.

Answer: Period = 2 minutes


4. Height after 1 minute

We now need to determine the height above the ground after 1 minute. Since the wheel completes 1 full revolution in 2 minutes, after 1 minute you will be at the topmost point of the ferris wheel (halfway through the revolution).

  • The amplitude is 5 meters, so the peak is 5 meters above the midline.
  • Since the midline is at 8 meters, the height at the top is:
    8+5=13meters8 + 5 = 13 \, \text{meters}

Answer: Height after 1 minute = 13 meters


Summary of Answers

  1. Amplitude: 5 meters
  2. Midline: y=8y = 8 meters
  3. Period: 2 minutes
  4. Height after 1 minute: 13 meters

Would you like me to derive the full height function h=f(t)h = f(t) for this motion?


Here are five follow-up questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. How would the function change if the ferris wheel completed a revolution in 3 minutes instead?
  2. What would be your height at 0.5 minutes (30 seconds)?
  3. Can you express the height as a trigonometric function (sine or cosine)?
  4. If the platform height were increased to 5 meters, how would that affect the midline?
  5. What is the phase shift if the 6 o'clock position no longer corresponds to the starting point?

Tip: When modeling with sine or cosine, always think about the amplitude, midline, period, and phase shift to get the full equation.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Periodic Functions
Amplitude and Midline
Circular Motion

Formulas

Amplitude = Diameter / 2
Midline = Platform height + (Diameter / 2)
Period = Time for one full revolution
Height after t minutes = Midline + Amplitude * sin(ωt + φ)

Theorems

Properties of Sine and Cosine Functions

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12