- #1
ifomoe
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Homework Statement
I have been puzzling over this question for hours now.
The centre of a wall clock is 180 cm above the floor. The hand of the clock that indicates the seconds is 20 cm long. The height, h cm above the floor, of the tip of the second hand, t seconds after midday, is given by an equation of the form: h(t)= a sin n (t+b) + c
where a, b, c and n are positive real constants.
Homework Equations
I'm required to find what the value of the four constants is.
The Attempt at a Solution
I know that a=20 and c=180, but I'm not sure about n and c.
Would it be correct if I assume that the period is 60 seconds. Therefore, to find n:
60=2[tex]\pi[/tex][tex]/[/tex]n
n=[tex]\pi[/tex][tex]/[/tex]30
And to find c, is it right if I take t=0 and substitute all the values I've got of a, c, and n into the equation h(t)= a sin n (t+b) + c ?
Also, what's the significant of the word midday? Am I supposed to take it as the start of the period?
I feel really stupid for not understanding.
I would really appreciate any help given, I'm at my wits end. Please?