Point of slope at certain distance

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on calculating the point on a slope at a specific distance using linear equations. The participants outline the process of determining the slope between two elevations, A (1720.85 feet) and B (1738.34 feet), over a horizontal distance from X1 (2 feet) to X2 (82 feet). The key formula discussed is the linear equation y = mx + b, where m represents the slope, and b is the y-intercept. The final goal is to compute the vertical distance between a new elevation at a given distance and the original slope.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear equations and slope calculations
  • Familiarity with the concept of y-intercept in linear functions
  • Basic knowledge of distance and elevation measurements
  • Ability to perform calculations involving decimal precision
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn how to derive the equation of a line from two points in coordinate geometry
  • Study the concept of slope and its applications in real-world scenarios
  • Explore methods for calculating vertical distances between points on different elevations
  • Investigate the effects of rounding errors in mathematical calculations
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, civil engineers, surveyors, and anyone involved in slope calculations or elevation mapping will benefit from this discussion.

duki
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Hey Everyone,

Another question for you. Is there a way to find the point on a slope at a certain distance? For example, suppose I had a slope that was previously calculated from point A to point B. I want to find at what point Y is at distance X. Does that make sense?
 
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duki said:
Hey Everyone,

Another question for you. Is there a way to find the point on a slope at a certain distance? For example, suppose I had a slope that was previously calculated from point A to point B. I want to find at what point Y is at distance X. Does that make sense?

Linear equation?

y = ax+b

you can get it from point A and B.

Slope's not a good work in my opinion. It means finding a point on dy/dx ...
 
duki said:
Hey Everyone,

Another question for you. Is there a way to find the point on a slope at a certain distance? For example, suppose I had a slope that was previously calculated from point A to point B. I want to find at what point Y is at distance X. Does that make sense?

No, it doesn't really make sense. What's the real question?
 
a being point A and b being point B?
 
edit: my example doesn't work. I'll post a new example shortly
 
Find the equation of the line from A to B and then intersect it with a circle around A of radius X. Is that what you mean? I'm still guessing.
 
Ok here's a more precise example:

I need to calculate the slope from elevation A to elevation B from X1 to X2. Once the slope is determined, the user inputs a distance X3 and a new elevation.

I need to find the distance between the new elevation and the elevation at point X3 of the original slope.Example:

Find slope from y = 1720.85 feet to y = 1738.34 feet (which starts at x = 2 feet and ends at x = 82 feet).
Plot this line
The user inputs a new distance, in this example 64 feet, and a new elevation at 64, 1736.54.
I need to find the distance between this point (on the new elevation) and the same point (64) on the original slope from A to B.

Does that make sense?
 
That makes perfect sense. Thanks. Why don't you just write an equation for the line whose slope you have computed, i.e. y=m*x+b. Then you just need to compute the vertical distance from new elevation to m*X3+b.
 
Thanks for the help.
I'm a little confused.

I got a slope of .2186
Then I do y = .2186(64)+b?
 
  • #10
b is the y-intercept. It value of b that solves .2186*2+b=1720.85. It's just finding the equation of a line through two points. Can you review that?
 
  • #11
I think I did something wrong. I got a distance of 2.1368

b=1720.85-.2186*2
b=1720.4128
b2=1736.10-.2186*64
b2=1722.5496

d = b - b2
d = 2.1368
 
  • #12
If b and b2 are different, it's only because you are rounding off the slope to four decimal places. 1720 and 1736 aren't that different. Try keeping more accuracy around.
 

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