Solve Tide Depth Model with Trig Functions: A, B, C, and D Variables Explained

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SUMMARY

The tide depth model is defined by the equation d=A+Bcos(Ct+D), where A, B, C, and D are constants. The maximum tide depth is 5 meters, and the minimum is 1 meter, indicating that A=3 and B=2. The period of the tide is 14 hours, leading to the conclusion that C=π/7. The initial condition of d=4 meters when the tide is coming in helps to determine D as 0, resulting in the complete model parameters: A=3, B=2, C=π/7, and D=0.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of trigonometric functions, particularly cosine.
  • Familiarity with periodic functions and their properties.
  • Basic knowledge of algebraic manipulation to solve for constants.
  • Concept of tide cycles and their measurement in hours.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of cosine functions in periodic modeling.
  • Learn how to derive constants in trigonometric equations.
  • Explore real-world applications of trigonometric models in tide prediction.
  • Investigate the impact of varying constants A, B, C, and D on the shape of the tide curve.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying mathematics, particularly those focusing on trigonometry and periodic functions, as well as educators seeking to explain tide modeling using trigonometric equations.

Paulo2014
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Homework Statement


The depth, d, of the tide in a bay is modeled by the formula
d=A+Bcos(Ct+D) where A,B,C and D are constants, d is measured in metres and t in hours.

The time between successive high tides is 14 hours. The maximum depth of the tide in the bay is 5 m and the minimum depth is 1m. Initially the depth is 4m and the tide is coming in

Find A,B,C and D


How do I do this?
 
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Paulo2014 said:
The maximum depth of the tide in the bay is 5 m and the minimum depth is 1m.

For the function d=A+Bcos(Ct+D), when d=5, the function is maximum, are you able to find an equation in A and B only from this?

(Hint: cos(t) has a maximum of 1 regardless of t, thus for cos(Ct+d), will have a maximum of ?)

Similarly for d=1, it has a minimum value.
 

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