Arc length & similar questions

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    Arc Arc length Length
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the arc length and maximum height of a swinging pendulum ride at a fair, specifically focusing on a scenario involving a pirate ship ride. Participants explore the geometry and trigonometry involved in the problem, including the implications of swing angles and pendulum radius.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a problem involving a pirate ship ride and asks for help with calculating the arc length and maximum height.
  • Another participant calculates the arc length as approximately 102.1 feet based on a radius of 45 feet, but later corrects the radius to 40 feet, leading to a different arc length calculation.
  • A subsequent reply confirms the arc length calculation using the corrected radius, resulting in an expression of arc length as \(\frac{260\pi}{9}\) feet.
  • Participants discuss the formula for maximum height in relation to angular displacement, suggesting the use of \(h = r(1 - \cos(\theta))\) to find the height above the lowest point.
  • One participant calculates the maximum height as approximately 23.095 feet based on the derived formula.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the arc length, as participants initially provide different values based on varying interpretations of the radius. However, there is agreement on the formula for calculating maximum height.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes potential misunderstandings regarding the radius used in arc length calculations, as well as the assumptions made about the geometry of the pendulum ride. The calculations depend on the accuracy of the radius and the angle used.

fluffertoes
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Hello! I really don't understand this concept, and I have an example problem that I am working on that I just CANNOT figure out! Any help? Thanks so much in advance! A group of people get on a pirate ship ride at the fair. This ride is a swinging pendulum with a maximum swing angle of 65 degrees from the center of the ship in either direction. The arm of the pendulum holding the ship has a 40 ft radius and the ship is 22 feet long with the last seats positioned 1 foot from the end of the ship.
What is the arc length traveled by the center of the ship between the two maximum points?
ALSO>>>>
What is the maximum height reached by the center of the ship? I attached a picture for reference! Thanks so much! :)View attachment 6233
 

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fluffertoes said:
Hello! I really don't understand this concept, and I have an example problem that I am working on that I just CANNOT figure out! Any help? Thanks so much in advance! A group of people get on a pirate ship ride at the fair. This ride is a swinging pendulum with a maximum swing angle of 65 degrees from the center of the ship in either direction. The arm of the pendulum holding the ship has a 40 ft radius and the ship is 22 feet long with the last seats positioned 1 foot from the end of the ship.
I found that the arc length traveled by the center of the ship between the two maximum points is 40 feet. Is this correct?
ALSO>>>>
What is the maximum height reached by the center of the ship? I attached a picture for reference! Thanks so much! :)

Between the two maximum points, an angle of $\displaystyle \begin{align*} 130^{\circ} \end{align*}$ is swept out, so the arclength would be

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \mathcal{l} &= \frac{130}{360} \cdot 2\,\pi \cdot 45\,\textrm{ft} \\ &= \frac{65\,\pi}{2} \,\textrm{ft} \\ &\approx 102.1\,\textrm{ft} \end{align*}$
 
Prove It said:
Between the two maximum points, an angle of $\displaystyle \begin{align*} 130^{\circ} \end{align*}$ is swept out, so the arclength would be

$\displaystyle \begin{align*} \mathcal{l} &= \frac{130}{360} \cdot 2\,\pi \cdot 45\,\textrm{ft} \\ &= \frac{65\,\pi}{2} \,\textrm{ft} \\ &\approx 102.1\,\textrm{ft} \end{align*}$

The radius is 40 feet, not 45 feet. So technically wouldn't the arc length end up being (in terms of pi (π)):

l=130/360⋅ (2π⋅40ft) = 260π/9 feet
 
Yes:

$$s=r\theta=\left(40\text{ ft}\right)\left(2\cdot65^{\circ}\frac{\pi}{180^{\circ}}\right)=\frac{260\pi}{9}\,\text{ft}\approx90.76\text{ ft}$$

To find the maximum height (above the lowest point) of the middle of the ship, we can observe that the height $h$ of the ship in terms of the angular displacement $\theta$ is given by:

$$h=r(1-\cos(\theta))$$

So, use $r=40\text{ ft}$ and $\theta=65^{\circ}$ in the above formula to get the maximum height of the center of the ship. :D
 
MarkFL said:
Yes:

$$s=r\theta=\left(40\text{ ft}\right)\left(2\cdot65^{\circ}\frac{\pi}{180^{\circ}}\right)=\frac{260\pi}{9}\,\text{ft}\approx90.76\text{ ft}$$

To find the maximum height (above the lowest point) of the middle of the ship, we can observe that the height $h$ of the ship in terms of the angular displacement $\theta$ is given by:

$$h=r(1-\cos(\theta))$$

So, use $r=40\text{ ft}$ and $\theta=65^{\circ}$ in the above formula to get the maximum height of the center of the ship. :D

So would that leave me with:

(40)Cos(65°) = 16.9
40 - 16.9 = 23.095 feet
 

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