2011-12-19, 08:29 PM
JPTheMonkey Wrote:So I have this problem I'm stuck on in my math class, and we've just started trig (11th grader, 12th grade math). I feel like the problem is much easier than what I'm looking at, but here's a crude drawing of the image the text book gives for the problem:
The straight lines making the 'x' shape are crossing belts (I think the textbook called them) and x is the angle measure. I messed up the motor's x and it should just be the angle of the top triangle.
So far I looked at my trig identities reference sheet, thought of using the angular speed formula (but couldn't figure out how to deal with the answer I got from it), and asked kids in the other/higher math classes, and none of them can figure it out either. Knowing the correct answer isn't necessary due to my teacher only checking completeness, but it would be nice if I knew how to do this type of problem.
JPTheMonkey Wrote:Alright, I have my textbook in front of me now. It has what I drew, and it wants me to find the following:
a) Determine the rpm of the saw
b) Let L be the total length of the belt. Write L as a function of x, where x is measured in radians. What is the domain of the function? (Hint: Add the lengths of the straight sections of the belt and the length of the belt around each pulley)
c) Use the function from b to finish the table (Don't need help for this so long as there's an equation to use)
d) As x increases, do the lengths of the straight sections of the belt change faster or slower than the lengths of the belts around each pulley?
So apparently the value of x is unnecessary, but still needed as a group of values. Still unsure of what to do there.
B) The amount that the belt goes around the circle is (2pi-[180-2x])r, where r is the radius of the circle. The belt travels a distance from circle to circle of (r+R)*cot[x]. So, the combined function L(x)=(2pi-[180-2x]+2cot[x])(r+R).
C) Just follow from B, but I can explain B) better if you want later.
D) For this, if you haven't learned derivatives yet, you can segment your table into the functions (r+R)*cot[x] and (2pi-180+2x)(r+R) then use the formula [f(x1)-f(x2)]/[x1-x2], or just learn derivatives. Since there is a value of x that cannot be passed (when the saw and motor touch, for instance), you can just do it for that range.
Edit:
Quote:All correct, except that d/dx of L2 and L3 are postitives, not negatives.


![[Image: math.png]](http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp200/isdarts22/math.png)
![[Image: %25255BUNSET%25255D.gif]](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8ZhYf7A9SQg/Tu0ZdwAU4GI/AAAAAAAAAPU/le79Zk9PD6E/s184/%25255BUNSET%25255D.gif)