Calculating Straight Line Distance from A to B

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the straight line distance between two points in 3D space and deriving parametric equations for the motion of a camera moving from position A to position B over a specified time interval. Participants explore the application of the 3D distance formula and the formulation of equations for x(t), y(t), and z(t) based on initial and final coordinates.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant uses the 3D distance formula to calculate the distance between points A = (20,22,20) and B = (117,90,15), arriving at a distance of approximately 118.566437.
  • Another participant questions the meaning of finding formulas for x(t), y(t), and z(t), suggesting a potential misunderstanding of the task.
  • A participant introduces the concept of motion in one dimension, proposing a general form for the change in position over time with constant speed.
  • Another participant derives the distance vector from A to B, providing the equations for the motion as AB(t) = (20+97t, 22+68t, 20-5t) and specifying the individual components as X=20+97t, Y=22+68t, Z=20-5t.
  • A later reply presents a solution to the initial value problem (IVP) for each dimension, yielding specific parametric equations: x(t)= (97/5)t + 20, y(t)= (68/5)t + 22, and z(t)= -t + 20.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants present multiple approaches to the problem, with some agreeing on the use of the distance formula and the derivation of parametric equations, while others express confusion about the task requirements. No consensus is reached on the interpretation of the formulas for x(t), y(t), and z(t).

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions regarding the definitions of the variables and the context of the motion, as well as the time interval specified for the movement. The discussion does not resolve the potential misunderstanding of the initial question regarding the formulas.

wonder1
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Hi all,

for the below questions i used the 3D distance formula

$$\sqrt{((117t-20)^2+((117−20)^2+(90−22)^2+(15−20))}$$

$$d=(97)^2+(68)^2+(−5)^2$$

$$AB=118.566437$$

to give me an answer of 118.566437

i don't understand what it means by finding formulas for x(t), y(t), and z(t)

is it $$97x^2+68y^2−5z^2$$ ?4. The camera needs to move from position A = (20,22,20) to position B = (117,90,15), on a straight line, with constant speed, in 5 seconds. Find formulas for x(t), y(t), and z(t), assuming that the movement starts at time t = 0.
 
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wonder said:
Hi all,

for the below questions i used the 3D distance formula

$$\sqrt{((117t-20)^2+((117−20)^2+(90−22)^2+(15−20))}$$

$$d=(97)^2+(68)^2+(−5)^2$$

$$AB=118.566437$$

to give me an answer of 118.566437

i don't understand what it means by finding formulas for x(t), y(t), and z(t)

is it $$97x^2+68y^2−5z^2$$ ?4. The camera needs to move from position A = (20,22,20) to position B = (117,90,15), on a straight line, with constant speed, in 5 seconds. Find formulas for x(t), y(t), and z(t), assuming that the movement starts at time t = 0.

Let's look at motion in one dimension...suppose the initial coordinate is $x_0$ and the final coordinate is $x_1$, and we want this change in position to occur in $t$ units of time, with a constant speed $v_x$, which means we can write:

$$\d{x}{t}=v_x$$ where $x\left(t_0\right)=x_0$ and $x\left(t_1\right)=x_1$.

Can you now solve this IVP?
 
MarkFL said:
Let's look at motion in one dimension...suppose the initial coordinate is $x_0$ and the final coordinate is $x_1$, and we want this change in position to occur in $t$ units of time, with a constant speed $v_x$, which means we can write:

$$\d{x}{t}=v_x$$ where $x\left(t_0\right)=x_0$ and $x\left(t_1\right)=x_1$.

Can you now solve this IVP?
First distance vector
(117,90,15) - (20,22,20) = (97,68,-5)

Equation

AB(t) = (20+97t, 22+68t, 20-5t)

X=20+97t
Y=22+68t
Z=20-5t
 
Solving the IVP I posted, we would obtain:

$$x(t)=\frac{x_1-x_0}{t_1-t_0}\left(t-t_0\right)+x_0$$

Now, applying this to all 3 dimensions, using the given values, we get

$$x(t)=\frac{97}{5}t+20$$

$$y(t)=\frac{68}{5}t+22$$

$$z(t)=-t+20$$
 

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