Unit 4 Assessment

Task 1: Solving Triangles [16 marks]

Solve for x in the following triangle in two different ways:

a) Solve using sine law only [8 marks]

This study source was downloaded by 100000867674858 from CourseHero.com on 08-24-2023 23:50:43 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/68145408/Assignment-4docx/
 b) Solve using cosine law and quadratic formula only [8 marks]

Task 2: Developing a Real-World Sinusoidal Equation [19 marks]

a. Describe a situation in the real-world that can be modelled by a sinusoidal function.

[3 marks]
A sinusoidal function is something that is going to repeat the same pattern over and over again, so
something like a ferris wheel is a good example as it is going to repeat the same circular motion over and
over that is going to take the exact same amount of time to complete the rotation each time. Another
example of something that could be a real life example would be a wave pool, as a sinusoidal graph
tends to move in a wave pattern so this would be a good real world example of something that repeats
the same motion over and over, showing it has a period. For this question I will use a ferris wheel

Question:

A ferris wheel, with a radius of 40m takes 60 seconds to complete one cycle of rotation. The lowest point
that any rider on the ferris wheel reaches is 5m off the ground. What is a reasonable function that could
model this situation if the function begins at its mid-point, not the highest or lowest point?

b. Create a reasonable table of values for at least two cycles and then graph. Make sure you

This study source was downloaded by 100000867674858 from CourseHero.com on 08-24-2023 23:50:43 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/68145408/Assignment-4docx/
 define your variables.[4 marks]

Table of Values:
The x variable is time, measured in seconds, while the y variable is height, measured in meters.

T (time, s) H (height, m)
15 85
30 45
45 5
60 45
75 85
90 45
105 5
120 45
This pattern shows a sinusoidal pattern as the values are going to repeat because the function repeats
the same cycle over and over.

c. Find the equation for your graph and explain what each parameter; a, p, c, and d of
y=asin360°p(x−d)+c means for your specific situation [8 marks]
This means that the lowest point on the function will be 5m, and the highest will be this plus two times
the radius, so 85m.

Period: 60s

85−5
A= =40
2
360
P= =6
60
C = No Phase Shift if starting from midpoint, would be a phase shift if started from somewhere else
because a sine function starts at its midpoint and moves up.

85+5
D= =45
2
h ( t )=40 sin ( 6 t )+ 45
a. means for your specific situation [8 marks]

A = The distance between the mid-point of the ferris wheel height and the maximum or minimum
height. This means that distance between the ground and the mid-point is 40m.

P = This is a value that will be used to help determine how long it takes to complete one rotation of the
ferris wheel after it has been placed in the formula period=360 / p .

C = This would be the time difference it would take if the function or scenario were starting at a different
point other than the mid-point of the height. This question asked for the function starting at the mid-
point of the ride so there is no value necessary.

This study source was downloaded by 100000867674858 from CourseHero.com on 08-24-2023 23:50:43 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/68145408/Assignment-4docx/
 D = This is the mid-height of the ferris wheel off the ground, meaning at the mid-point of the ferris wheel
is 45m off the ground. This incorporates the 5m starting height.

d. Write two questions that could be answered using the equation. Answer the questions.[4 marks]

Question 1: How high is the rider on the ferris wheel after 45s have passed?

h ( 45 )=40 sin ( (6) ( 45 ) ) + 45

h ( 45 )=5 m
Therefore, this shows that the height of the rider after 45s from the mid-point position is 5m, or the
bottom.

Question 2: At what time would the rider be at the highest point of 85m?

85=40 sin ( 6 ( t ) ) +45

40=40 sin ( ( 6 ) t )

1=sin ( 6 t )

sin −1 ( 1 )=6 t
t=15 s
Therefore, the rider will be at the highest point at 15s.

Task 3: Math Journal [9 marks]

Choose one entry from your math journal this unit you think you would use most in the real-
world.

Under what circumstances do you think you will use this? Explain fully. [3 marks]
I could definitely see the Sine Law and Cosine law being used in real life scenarios. My cousin is an
electrician and he has to use trigonometry to determine angles at which he can move and lay wiring.
There are a lot of different scenarios that pop up where if there is an existing structure or something like
that in the way of where wiring needs to go the angles must be calculated otherwise the wiring could be
put in incorrectly. There are many other circumstances I could see having to use this type of scenario. On
the golf course, depending on where you are you may need to calculate at angle at which you need to hit
the ball in order to avoid hitting a tree or something along those lines. It would also be very useful in
something like pool where angles dictate how successful you are at the game.

This study source was downloaded by 100000867674858 from CourseHero.com on 08-24-2023 23:50:43 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/68145408/Assignment-4docx/
 Was this new to you or had you learned this before? Explain fully. [3 marks]
I had been familiar with SOH CAH TOA as far as trigonometry is concerned coming into this, but I had
never seen the sine or cosine law before. It is clear that right angle trigonometry is not the same as non-
right-angle trigonometry. You cannot use SOH CAH TOA on a non-right-angle triangle so anytime I see a
non-right-angle triangle I automatically think of Sine law and Cosine law. Cosine law has very specific
parameters that have to occur in order for you to use it, meaning you have to have an angle sandwiched
between 2 side lengths, or all three side lengths. Any other scenario you use sine law.

What else would you still like to learn about this topic? Explain fully. [3 marks]
I would like to know if there are any situations where these laws would not work. Is there a triangle out
there where the dimensions can exist on the triangle, but they do not allow the formula to work. I have
no idea if that is something that is possible, but I am quite curious if it could happen. I would also like to
know why sin works with the sine law and cos with the cosine law, but why they would not work if they
were switched. What is it about the sin and cos that make them work with those formulas?

This study source was downloaded by 100000867674858 from CourseHero.com on 08-24-2023 23:50:43 GMT -05:00

https://www.coursehero.com/file/68145408/Assignment-4docx/
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)