# Finding velocity in terms of variables

1. Jan 29, 2007

### stinlin

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
(See attached for labels) After taking off, a helicopter climbs in a straight line at a constant angle beta. Its flight is tracked by radar from point A. Determine the speed of the helicopter in terms of d, beta, theta, and theta dot.

d is the distance from the radar to the initial position of the copter, theta is the angle between the horizontal and the copter, v is the velocity, and beta is the angle the copter moves at.

2. Relevant equations

v = (r dot) e radius + (r * (theta dot))e theta

e radius is the radial component and e theta is the angular component...This is done in polar form. So for those who know, it's the velocity equation in polar form.

3. The attempt at a solution

Well, it's asking for the speed, so I know I have to take the radial and angular components, square them, add them, and take the square root (or so I assume). I was also able to split the velocity into vsin(beta) and vcos(beta). Otherwise, I'm lost.
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

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