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Mathematics 15 Online
OpenStudy (turingtest):

This question seems too easy to post in the meta-math section, so I figured I'd try it out here: Two circular towers are the same height but have different diameters. A spiral staircase runs around each of the towers from top to bottom. The slopes of the staircases are identical and constant. Which staircase is longer?

OpenStudy (amistre64):

the fatter helix goes taller in one wrap is my first thought

OpenStudy (amistre64):

say slope is 1, diams are 1 and 2, height = 50 for good measure :)

OpenStudy (turingtest):

keep thinking ;)

OpenStudy (amistre64):

itd be helpful if i could recall a formula for a helix :) and what it looked like in a cylindar coord set up .... bummer

OpenStudy (turingtest):

not necessary, you can do it with pure logic, no formula

OpenStudy (amistre64):

we got no towers in florida :)

OpenStudy (turingtest):

want a hint?

OpenStudy (amistre64):

not yet

OpenStudy (turingtest):

good man

OpenStudy (amistre64):

|dw:1323892528821:dw| they might be the same length

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