How Fast is the Trumpet Player Moving to Create a Beat Frequency of 4 Hz?

AI Thread Summary
Two trumpet players are producing a pitch of 440 Hz, but one is moving away, creating a beat frequency of 4 Hz. The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s, and the departing player's speed was calculated using the formula for apparent frequency. Initial calculations yielded a speed of 3.06 m/s, while a revised approach provided a more accurate speed of 3.12 m/s. The correct setup involves recognizing that the apparent frequency decreases when the source moves away, leading to a lower frequency than the original. Understanding how to set up the equation correctly is crucial for accurate results in such problems.
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Homework Statement



Two trumpet players are both playing with a pitch of 440 Hz, corresponding to the musical pitch A above middle C. However, one of the trumpet players is marching away from you so that your hear a beat frequency of 4 Hz from the two trumpets. With what speed is the departing trumpet player moving away from you? (The speed of sound in air is 340 m/s)

Homework Equations



f' = f(V+-Vo/V-+Vs)

f2 - f1 = beat frequency

The Attempt at a Solution



How I approached the question was the following:

f' = f(V/V+Vs)
f(V/V+Vs) - f1 = beat

so
440(340/340+Vs) - 440 = 4
which solves to Vs = 3.06 m/s

However, looking at the answer (3.12 m/s) It seems I should have set the equation up as:

440 - 440(340/340+Vs) = 4
which goes to 3.119 m/s

So conceptually speaking, how am I supposed to know how to set up the equation? Is it just what yields a positive answer? or is there something I'm not thinking of. I couldn't find anything specific online. Thanks for the help.
 
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How I thought of it is, the player is moving away, so the apparent frequency of the sound from his trumpet should be less than 440.
We know that the difference, or lowering of the frequency, is 4Hz, so f' is 436.
To have a frequency lower than the original, the denominator term of the velocity ratio should be greater. So we add the speed of air and the speed at which he is moving away.
 
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