The math help thread

No, the answers are not equivalent - yours is equal to your friend's, but with a 1pi on the top instead of 11pi.

I think what you meant to say was 39600/5400 =/= 2/3 >_>

So... I take it you want to know who's correct o.O Brb...

Code:

Parametric equation time!
t is in seconds.
π = Pi.  Because this font is really unkind to Pi.

Minute Hand Tip's position
xm(t) = -8*cos(t/3600*2π + π/2)
ym(t) = 8*sin(t/3600*2π + π/2)

Hour Hand Tip's position
xh(t) = -4*cos(t/43200*2π + 2π/3)
yh(t) = 4*sin(t/43200*2π + 2π/3)

f(t) = distance between the tips of the two hands
     = sqrt([xm(t) - xh(t)]^2 + [ym(t) - yh(t)]^2)
     = sqrt([-8*cos(t/3600*2π + π/2) + 4*cos(t/43200*2π + 2π/3)]^2 + [8*sin(t/3600*2π + π/2) - 4*sin(t/43200*2π + 2π/3)]^2)
f'(t) = ...

*pulls out graphing calculator*

f'(0) = -11π/(5400 * sqrt(5 - 2*sqrt(3)))

Looks like I got your friend's answer.