Question

Xavier is riding on a Ferris wheel at the local fair. His height can be modeled by the equation H(t) = 20cosine of the quantity 1 over 15 times t + 30, where H represents the height of the person above the ground in feet at t seconds.

Part 1: How far above the ground is Xavier before the ride begins?
Part 2: How long does the Ferris wheel take to make one complete revolution?
Part 3: Assuming Xavier begins the ride at the top, how far from the ground is the edge of the Ferris wheel, when Xavier's height above the ground reaches a minimum?

You must show all work.

Answer 1

I'll fan and Medal!!!

Answer 2

@ganeshie8

Answer 3

@dan815

Answer 4

@amistre64

Answer 5

@MarrBear

Answer 6

any ideas?

Answer 7

Well, for the first one, I think I need to substitute 0 in for t.

Answer 8

I am rather confused on the units they want it in- am I supposed to use my calculator and find decimals? or do they want it in the equation, unsimplified?

Answer 9

hmm, well lets draw a picture

Answer 10

since the amplitude is given as 20, the radius of the wheel is 20

its midline is given as +30, so its center is 30 feet off the ground.

when we enter into the wheel, we enter in at the bottom ....

Answer 11

but i may be reading the wording wrong since it is not in a mathmatical notation

Answer 12

otherwise, t=0 sounds like a fine starting point :)

Answer 13

One moment- I'll try to put it in mathmatics

Answer 14

\[20 \cos \left( \frac{ \pi }{ 15 }t \right)+30\]

Answer 15

Sorry- I'm very slow at that

Answer 16

so theres a pi involved?

Answer 17

yes

Answer 18

Does that mean they want radians?

Answer 19

that was missing from the original

if t=0, and t assumes a proper time frame. then it looks like letting t=0 is a good bet for part a

Answer 20

and you are sure the +30 is on the outside of cosine?

Answer 21

I copy and pasted the original- the formatting must have been messed up

Answer 22

I'm positive- the problem shows the problem in mathematical notation

Answer 23

a screen shot or picture to attach would really help with some of the confusion :)

Answer 24

k, then if we let t=0, the we start out at 20+30, since cos(0)=1

Answer 25

let me see...

Answer 26

how do I screenshot again? I'm sorry

Answer 27

you on windows or a mac?

Answer 28

A chromebook

Answer 29

on windows, there is a set of button that never get used. prnt scrn, scroll lock, and pause/break

the prnt scrn button takes a picture of whatever is on your screen and can be pasted into paint

Answer 30

a chrome book, havent a clue