Trigonometry and figuring out the length of the hypotenuse

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a scenario where a monkey is chained to a stake and needs to determine how high it can climb up a vertical pole, given specific distances related to the stake and the length of the chain. The subject area is trigonometry, particularly focusing on right triangles and the Pythagorean theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relevant trigonometric functions and the application of the Pythagorean theorem. There is a suggestion to visualize the problem by drawing a diagram and labeling the components. Questions arise about identifying the hypotenuse and the relationship between the lengths involved.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem setup. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of algebra and the Pythagorean theorem, but no consensus has been reached on the specific approach to take.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the initial steps and the relationships between the lengths given in the problem. There is an emphasis on understanding the geometric configuration before proceeding.

mariner962
Messages
6
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A monkey is chained to a stake in the ground. The stake is 2.15 m from a vertical pole, and the chain is 4.50 m long. How high can the monkey climb up the pole?
The answer is given in meters
 
Physics news on Phys.org
What attempt have you made? Which trig function do you think should be used?
 
I was not too sure where to start. I know that I have both of the lengths but I am confused about how to approach the problem
 
try drawing a picture and labeling the parts and looking at the various angles in the problem
 
okay so i have a right triangle and is the height that can be climbed the hypotenuse?
 
the hypotenuse would probably be the length of the chain, since I would imagine the 90 degree angle in this right triangle would be the angle between the pole and the ground
 
Welcome to PF.
This problem can be solved with just algebra and the Pythagorean theorem.
The monkey walks over 2.15 m from the stake to the pole (x-axis).
The monkey climbs up the pole an unknown amount (y-axis).
The maximum chain length is 4.50 m (hypotenuse).
 

Similar threads

Calculate Height of Light Pole from Shadow Length
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Tension on a string attached to two objects
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Finding the radius of a pendulum
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Finding the Length and Velocity of a Spring in Circular Motion
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
What is the tension in the rope at the fixed support?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Given a uniform chain on an incline, find the work done by friction
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Relativistic motion and length contraction
  • · Replies 44 ·
2
Replies
44
Views
3K
Confirm whether radius is 300mm or not if the tension is 5N
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Free fall, hit the target, projectile problem
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Find the missing force when the boy is pulled
  • · Replies 35 ·
2
Replies
35
Views
4K