Freddie is at chess practice waiting on his opponent's next move. He notices that the 4-inch-long minute hand is rotating around the clock and marking off time like degrees on a unit circle.
How far does the tip of the minute hand travel during that time?

Question

Freddie is at chess practice waiting on his opponent's next move. He notices that the 4-inch-long minute hand is rotating around the clock and marking off time like degrees on a unit circle.
How far does the tip of the minute hand travel during that time?

shadowlegendx · Answer

Is there any more information that you can provide?

goldie1962 · Answer

How do I go about answering this question?

agent0smith · Answer

Well the minute hand takes 60 mins for one complete circle (2 pi), so given that you can work out the angle. Then just use 

arc length = radius times angle

agent0smith · Answer

8π / 3 radians from 3:35 to 3:55.

that's not correct, if it only moves 2pi radians in one whole hour.

goldie1962 · Answer

I am really sorry! My computer lost connection and I was not able to type or connect. It is fixed now!

agent0smith · Answer

Yes that's the angle, then find the arc length

agent0smith · Answer

Yep, don't forget the units

agent0smith · Answer

No... arc length is distance.

goldie1962 · Answer

8.3775

goldie1962 · Answer

Sorry, math is not my strongest suit. Please bare with me.

agent0smith · Answer

Arc length is distance. Not radians. What is the distance travelled?

agent0smith · Answer

As, in the units.

goldie1962 · Answer

inches

agent0smith · Answer

8π / 3 is correct too, you can just say 8π / 3 inches, or round it. It's probably more sensible to round and say it travelled 8.3775 inches, since 8π / 3 inches isn't as easy to interpret as a distance.

agent0smith · Answer

Yes, you worked that out earlier.

goldie1962 · Answer

Awesome, just checking. Thanks so much!

agent0smith · Answer

No problem, you're welcome.