two wheels of raius 15.9 cm and 14.29 cm respectively rest on the ground. IF the centers of the wheels are 37.85 cm apart, how far apart are the points where they touch the ground?
answers can be 34.35cm, 37.85 cm, 37.82cm or 35.05 cm
2006-11-27 09:04:36 · 7 answers · asked by lynn l 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
If you draw a picture, connect the centres to each other and to the ground, you get a trapezium with a couple of right angles: the left side is 15.9, right side is 14.29, distance along the ground = x, and the last sloping side = 37.85.
Now, if we just shift that bottom line up by 14.29, we get a right angled triangle with sides x, (15.9-14.29) and 37.85. Thus, using pythagoras, x^2 + 1.61^2 = 37.85^2, so x = 37.82cm.
2006-11-27 09:08:14 · answer #1 · answered by stephen m 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The line connecting the centers of the wheels is not parallel to the ground. It's the hypotenuse of a right triangle. One of its legs is equal to the difference in the radii of the two wheels. The other leg is the distance separating the points of the wheels where each one touches the ground.
We have:
15.9 - 14.29 = 1.61
1.61^2 + x^2 = 37.85^2
Where x is the distance between the points where the wheels touch the ground.
x = sqrt(37.85^2 - 1.61^2)
x = 37.82 cm.
It's one of the four choice, so that gives me even more confidence! :D Of course, I'd still give that as the answer even if it hadn't been multiple choice.
2006-11-27 17:10:10 · answer #2 · answered by hokiejthweatt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
37.82cm
Make the unknown length the 3rd side of a right triangle.
2006-11-27 17:10:57 · answer #3 · answered by Monica M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it could be 35.05 cm
2006-11-27 17:07:10 · answer #4 · answered by Tiana A 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it would be 37.85
2006-11-27 17:07:31 · answer #5 · answered by dalee_loves_you 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is hard
2006-11-27 17:08:05 · answer #6 · answered by sammy740bmw 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
e=mc2.........
2006-11-27 17:13:25 · answer #7 · answered by mr.fahrenheit 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋