Questions on conic sections

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November 25th 2010, 07:17 AM
Rae

Questions on conic sections

1) Describe the curve traced out by a point 2 feet from the top of an 8-foot ladder as the bottom of the ladder moves away from a vertical wall.

Thank you
November 26th 2010, 06:44 AM
Opalg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rae

1) Describe the curve traced out by a point 2 feet from the top of an 8-foot ladder as the bottom of the ladder moves away from a vertical wall.

Take the origin to be at the base of the wall. When the ladder makes an angle $\theta$ with the wall, the coordinates (x,y) of the point 2 feet from the top of the ladder are $(x,y) = (2\sin\theta, 6\cos\theta)$ . (Draw a diagram to make sure that you understand why that is.) Thus $\sin\theta = \frac12x$ and $\cos\theta = \frac16y$ . Now use the fact that $\sin^2\theta + \cos^2\theta = 1$ to get an equation connecting x and y.
November 28th 2010, 02:10 PM
Rae

Could you explain how you get (x,y) = (2sin theta, 6cos theta) ?
November 29th 2010, 12:26 AM
Opalg

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rae

Could you explain how you get (x,y) = (2sin theta, 6cos theta) ?

Did you draw a diagram, as I suggested???

$\setlength{\unitlength}{2mm} \begin{picture}(40,40) \put(5.5,23.5){$\bullet$} \put(0.5,28){$ \theta$} \put(4.5,26.5){$2$} \put(15,13){$ 6$} \put(7,24){$(x,y)$} \put(6,0){\line(0,1){24}} \put(0,24){\line(1,0){6}} \thicklines \put(0,0){\line(0,1){40}} \put(0,0){\line(1,0){40}} \put(24,0){\line(-3,4){24}} \end{picture}$
December 2nd 2010, 04:15 PM
Rae

I did draw a diagram, but I guess I was thinking about the problem wrong because I didn't see it that way. Thanks for your help.