Point of slope at certain distance

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding a specific point on a slope defined by two elevations at given distances. The original poster seeks to determine the elevation at a certain distance along the slope and compare it to a new elevation input by the user.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to derive an equation for the line representing the slope between two points and explore methods to calculate distances based on user inputs. Questions arise about the clarity of the original problem and the definitions of terms like slope.

Discussion Status

Some participants have offered guidance on formulating the line equation and calculating distances, while others express confusion about specific calculations and the implications of rounding. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of potential misunderstandings regarding the definitions of slope and distance, as well as the precision required in calculations. The original poster has acknowledged the need for a clearer example to facilitate 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

[tex]b=1720.85-.2186*2[/tex]
[tex]b=1720.4128[/tex]
[tex]b2=1736.10-.2186*64[/tex]
[tex]b2=1722.5496[/tex]

[tex]d = b - b2[/tex]
[tex]d = 2.1368[/tex]
 
  • #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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