Math Problem Statement

Point B on the diagram shows the position of a person when the Ferris wheel has rotated 30°. Calculate the vertical distance between this person and the center of the wheel. Then, calculate how high above the ground the person is after rotation, for both 30° and 255°. Diagrams and explanations are required.

Solution

Let's break down the questions:

d)

The task involves calculating the vertical distance between a person at point B on a Ferris wheel, which has rotated 30°, and the center of the wheel. A diagram is requested as part of the solution.

  • Assuming the Ferris wheel is a circle, when a point is rotated 30°, the vertical distance between the person and the center of the wheel can be calculated using trigonometry. If the radius of the Ferris wheel is rr, the vertical distance hh can be determined using the sine of the angle: h=r×sin(30)h = r \times \sin(30^\circ) h=r×0.5h = r \times 0.5 Thus, the vertical distance is half the radius.

e)

In this part, we use the result from part d) to calculate how high the person is above the ground. If the radius of the wheel is rr, and the wheel's center is at height rr above the ground, the height above the ground at 30° is the sum of the center height and the vertical distance calculated earlier: Height above ground=r+(r×sin(30))\text{Height above ground} = r + (r \times \sin(30^\circ)) Substitute sin(30)=0.5\sin(30^\circ) = 0.5, the formula becomes: Height above ground=r+r2=3r2\text{Height above ground} = r + \frac{r}{2} = \frac{3r}{2}

f)

Here, we are tasked with calculating the height above the ground when the wheel has rotated 255°. This involves using the sine function again: Vertical distance from center=r×sin(255)\text{Vertical distance from center} = r \times \sin(255^\circ) Since 255=255180=75255^\circ = 255^\circ - 180^\circ = 75^\circ in the third quadrant, where sine is negative: sin(255)=sin(75)=0.9659\sin(255^\circ) = -\sin(75^\circ) = -0.9659 Then, the height above the ground would be: Height above ground=r+(r×0.9659)=r×(10.9659)=r×0.0341\text{Height above ground} = r + (r \times -0.9659) = r \times (1 - 0.9659) = r \times 0.0341 Thus, the height off the ground is a small fraction of the wheel’s radius.

Would you like a more detailed explanation of the steps involved? Here are 5 related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How do you find the vertical height of a point on a circle using different angles?
  2. What is the relationship between sine and cosine when solving circular motion problems?
  3. How would the calculation change if the Ferris wheel started rotating in the opposite direction?
  4. How can trigonometric identities help simplify circular motion problems?
  5. What other real-world examples rely on trigonometry for solving circular motion?

Tip: Always visualize trigonometric problems on a unit circle to better understand how angles affect the calculation of vertical and horizontal distances.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Trigonometry
Geometry
Circular Motion

Formulas

h = r * sin(θ)
Height above ground = r + (r * sin(θ))

Theorems

Sine Function in Circular Motion

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11