Finding the Angle: Solving Trig Problems on the Ferris Wheel

  • Thread starter Thread starter urthatarget
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Trig Wheel
Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 replies · 3K views
urthatarget
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
I have this question in my trig/pre cal class and I have no idea how to approach it what so ever.

In 1893, George Ferris engineered the Ferris Wheel. It was 250 feet in diameter. If the wheel makes 1 revolution every 50 seconds, then

h(t) = 125sin (pi/25t - pi/2) + 125

represents the height (h), in feet, of a seat on the wheel as a function of time (t), where t is measured in seconds. The ride begins when t = 0.


a.) During the first 50 seconds of the ride, at what time (t) is an individual on the Ferris Wheel exactly 125 feet above the ground?

Thank you!
 
on Phys.org
Sometimes a diagram of the problem helps visualise the solution.
Draw the ferris wheel, add a line 125 feet off the ground, and find out what angle of rotation will bring the passenger to that height.
I have to stop now, and leave you with something to do!