Final Math Project

Norma Iglesias
http://niglesia.weebly.com/
April 19, 2016
Math 1080
Instructor: Suda Satcuna

Belts and Pulleys

A thin belt of length L surrounds two pulleys of radii R and r, as shown in the
figure.

A.

Show that the angle (in radians) where the belt crosses itself satisfies the
equation:
+ 2 cot (/2) = L/(R+r) -

1.

Determine equation for the straight sections of belt.

tan (/2) = R/A so A = R/tan (/2)

tan (/2) = r/a so a = r/tan (/2)
L (not including arcs) = 2 A + 2 a
= 2 R/tan (/2) + 2 r/tan (/2)

2.

Determine equation for the arcs, S1 and s2.

a.)

Length of arc S1 = R x 1 ; ( 1 = angle that defines arc S1.)

Let = acute angle opposite /2 in the AR triangle, and in the ar triangle).

1

= 360o - 2 x , = 90o - (/2) therefore,

= 360o - 2 x (90o - /2)

= 360o - 180o +
= 180o +

Therefore the length of the arc S1 = R x (180 o + ).

b.)

Length of arc s2 = r x 2; (2 = angle that defines arc s2.)

= 360o - 2 x (90o - /2)

= 360o - 180o +
= 180o +

Therefore the length of the arc s2 = r x (180 o + ).

3.

Combine lengths of arcs S and s, plus straight sections (2 A plus 2 a) into

one equation.

= 2R/tan(/2) + 2r/tan (/2) + R(180o + ) + r (180o + )

= R (180o + + 2/tan (/2)) + r (180o + + 2/tan (/2))
= (R + r) x (180o + + 2/tan (/2))
L/(R+r) = 180o + + 2 x cot (/2));

so

B.

and 180o x /180o =

L/(R + r) = + + 2 cot (/2) or L/(R + r) - = + 2 cot (/2)

Suppose that R= 2.42 ft. , r=1.21 ft. , and L = 27.78 ft. Find by solving the
equation in part (a) graphically. Express your answer in radians and
degrees.

L/(R + r) - = + 2 cot (/2)

27.78/(2.42+1.21) - = + 2 cot (/2)

4.511 = + 2 cot (/2)

is at an intersection of y=4.511, and y= x + 2 cot (x/2). is greater than zero, and
less than 180o,, or radians.
12.048 radians = (180/) x 12.048 = 690o, which is too big;
-5.904 radians is negative.
Therefore:
= 1.047 radians, which is /3 or 60o

(-5.904, 4.511) (1.047, 4.511) (12.048, 4.511)