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Re: Help on Radius of Arc



This is a good problem for numerical methods. Since s = rA (A = angle) and
the chord can be written as 2y = 2rsinA, these two equations combine to form
the relation y = rsin(s/r). If you let u = s/r, then you get the relation,
(y/s)u = sin u. Now. plot a graph of y' = sin u and y' = (y/s)u (note, the
dependent variable is named y') and the same piece of graph paper and locate
the point where the two curves cross.

Tom McCarthy
Saint Edward's School
1895 St. Edward's Drive
Vero Beach, FL 32963
561-231-4136
Physics and Astronomy
-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Cheesman <wchee@frontiernet.net>
To: phys-l@atlantis.uwf.edu <phys-l@atlantis.uwf.edu>
Date: Sunday, November 16, 1997 10:20 PM
Subject: Help on Radius of Arc


I am having my students design model roller coasters. Is there a way we
can determine the radius of an arc if we know the length of the arc and
the length of the cord of that arc?

Bill Cheesman
Fairport High School