How far does a block travel before hitting a spring?

[oneamp]

Homework Statement

A block starts from rest at the top of a 31.0 degree inclined plane and encounters a spring, of constant 3.4 kN/m, rigidly attached to the plane. If the block's mass is 33.0 kg and it compresses the spring by 37.0 cm, find the distance the block traveled before it encountered the spring.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

The spring compresses to 37cm, and has a spring constant of 3,400 kN. So I solve for U_s, the potential energy of the spring, and get U_s = 232.73 J.

Since friction is not mentioned, I know that the potential energy at the top of the incline equals U_s. Or, mgy = 232.73J, or (33)(9.8)y = 232.73. I use trig and solve for the distance travelled, but it doesn't match the answer of the problem. What am I doing wrong?

Thank you

 

[Doc Al]

When you solved for the distanced traveled, did you take into consideration the 37 cm? (They want the distance traveled before hitting the spring.)

 

[oneamp]

That's it. Thank you