How to Calculate Total Angle from X and Y Angles on an Incline?

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    Angles Angular Tilt
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the total angle of an object moving diagonally up an incline, given its X and Y angles. Participants explore the mathematical relationships involved, particularly in the context of unknown incline angles, and seek to clarify the problem's requirements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks to determine the total angle of an object moving diagonally on an incline, given its X and Y angles, but is unsure how to combine these angles without knowing the incline angle.
  • Another participant questions the clarity of the problem and suggests that the angles may represent planes in three-dimensional space, potentially leading to a line whose angle with respect to the X-Y plane needs to be calculated.
  • A participant expresses confusion regarding the mathematical aspects of the problem, indicating a background in electronics engineering rather than mathematics involving angles.
  • There is a request for a diagram to clarify the angles and lengths involved, as the verbal description is difficult to follow.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not appear to reach a consensus on the interpretation of the angles or the best approach to solve the problem. Multiple competing views and interpretations remain present in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the definitions of the angles and the relationship between the X and Y angles and the incline. The discussion includes references to geometry and energy, but no specific mathematical formulations are agreed upon.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for individuals interested in the mathematical modeling of motion on inclines, particularly in engineering contexts where angle measurements are relevant.

Siksissk
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Hi,

I have to measure a object as it goes up a incline.

I have both X and Y angles, which is fine if the object travels perfectly up or down a incline.

What I cannot figure out, is if the object travels (for lack of a better term) diagonally up a incline, how to figure out its total angle.
Also the incline angle is unknown.

Unsure how best to describe the issue.

Any help would be great.

Regards
 
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im not really clear on what you mean?

[PLAIN]http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/8507/wedgef.jpg

you mean moving from one red point to another? could you tell us all the information you know? i expect you can do this question either with geometry or energy
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Yes, moving from one red point to the other.

All the info I have, is a x & y angle, what I need to know is how to combine them properly to achieve a total angle. Or rather the formula, so I can hard code this into some code to work for all inclines.
 
The wording of this problem is a bit akward.

angle from x axis implies a cone with it's point at the origin and centered about the x axis, and angle from y axis implies a cone with it's point at the origin and centered about the y axis. However, I doubt this is the situation you're trying to describe.

It's more likely that angle from x axis means a plane perpendicular to the x-y plane, and that angle from y axis means a plane perpendicular to the y-z plane. In this case the intersection of the two planes is a line. I assume the goal is to determine the angle between the x-y plane and the line and/or to determine the equation for the line in x-y-z space. Since this is probably a homework problem, you'll need to show some work on this.
 
Last edited:
I wish it were a homework problem!

I will try and explain as best I can.

Unfortuantly for this bit of physics, I am a Electronics Engineer, and thus maths involving angles ect has me confused, as I have never needed to look into it.

I have a object, that will be traveling up and down slopes, but more than often it will be following a route in the picture posted above.
I am measuring the x/y angles using a accelormeter and converting the G reading into a tilt angle. (x/y, pitch and roll, can't and grad ect)

I have my current calculations accurate to +/- .5 degrees.

Now, I understand that the math falls into four quadrants. But that's about as far as I am currently.

What I am now stuck on, is how to find the refrence (the angle of the object with respect to the peak, or lowest point of the incline) and how to work out the angle of the object using the pitch and roll angles.

Apoligies for the bad explanation above, it made sense to me, but that's because I am sat next to the hardware! :)

Regards.
 
would you care to mark on the angles/lengths you know on a diagram? I am really not able to follow a description that well.
 

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