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5 4-TrigApplication

This document discusses several examples of trigonometric applications involving a Ferris wheel, spring, and pendulum. For each example, it prompts the reader to sketch graphs of the situations and write equations to model the periodic motions using trigonometric functions like sine and cosine. Key details include modeling the height of a Ferris wheel rider over time, the vertical displacement of a spring-mounted weight over time, and the horizontal displacement of a swinging pendulum from fixed points over time.

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TM - 11CT 719179 Chinguacousy SS
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24 views2 pages

5 4-TrigApplication

This document discusses several examples of trigonometric applications involving a Ferris wheel, spring, and pendulum. For each example, it prompts the reader to sketch graphs of the situations and write equations to model the periodic motions using trigonometric functions like sine and cosine. Key details include modeling the height of a Ferris wheel rider over time, the vertical displacement of a spring-mounted weight over time, and the horizontal displacement of a swinging pendulum from fixed points over time.

Uploaded by

TM - 11CT 719179 Chinguacousy SS
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Name: __________ Trigonometric Applications Date: __________

There are many applications of trigonometric functions. Sound, light, tides, Ferris wheels,
pendulums, and springs can all be modeled with sinusoidal graphs. Anything that is periodic
can be modeled by some combination of sine and cosine graphs.

1. A Ferris wheel has a radius of 45 𝑚, and its centre is 50 𝑚 above the ground.
The Ferris wheel makes a complete rotation in 20 seconds. Suppose the graph
starts when the rider is at the lowest height.

a) Find an equation using the base function 𝑦 = sin 𝑥 and an equation using the base
function 𝑦 = cos 𝑥

b) How high is the rider after 17 seconds?

c) Find an equation for the motion of a rider if the graph begins when the rider is at the
highest point on the Ferris wheel.

d) For the original equation (the rider starts at the bottom), between 0 and 20 seconds,
when is the rider 30 𝑚 off the ground?

e) If the ride lasts 2 minutes, how many seconds does the rider spend above 72 𝑚?

When doing application questions, first draw a diagram of the situation. Then draw the graph
using a sinusoidal function.
2. A weight is supported by a spring. The weight rests 50 𝑐𝑚 above a tabletop. The weight is
pulled down 25 𝑐𝑚 and released at time 𝑡 = 0. This creates a periodic up-and-down motion. It
takes 1.6 𝑠 for the weight to return to the low position each time.
a) Sketch a graph of the height of the weight above the tabletop against time and write an
equation to describe the motion.

b) At what time does it reach a height of 60 𝑐𝑚 above the tabletop?

c) What height is the spring at after 22 𝑠?

3. A pendulum swings 30 times in a minute. The pendulum starts at point 𝐴, swings to 𝐵 and
then back again, and cycle repeats. The distance between 𝐴 and 𝐵 is 1.5 𝑚.
a) Draw a graph of the horizontal distance from 𝐴 versus time.

b) Make an equation for the graph in part a).

c) Draw a graph of the horizontal distance from 𝐵 versus time.

d) Make an equation for the graph in part b).

e) How far is the pendulum from point 𝐴 after 146.4 𝑠?

f) What time(s) is the pendulum 0.7 𝑚 from 𝐵?

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