# Trig word problems

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• Oct 19th 2009, 06:29 PM
getfresh
Trig word problems
I'm new to trig and I missed the first three lessons because i was absent. I've done almost all of my homework but this one problem I just can't grasp

A spiral staircase has 13 steps. Each step is a sector with a radius of 36 inches and a central angle of pi/7.

Through what angle would you rotate by climbing the stairs? Include a fourteenth turn for stepping on the landing.

okay, so I've gotten this far -

14 steps
radius = 36
angle in radians = pi/7 (right?)
angle in degrees = 25.7

Basically all stated in the problem. HALP PLZ.
• Oct 19th 2009, 06:41 PM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by getfresh
I'm new to trig and I missed the first three lessons because i was absent. I've done almost all of my homework but this one problem I just can't grasp

A spiral staircase has 13 steps. Each step is a sector with a radius of 36 inches and a central angle of pi/7.

Through what angle would you rotate by climbing the stairs? Include a fourteenth turn for stepping on the landing.

okay, so I've gotten this far -

14 steps
radius = 36
angle in radians = pi/7 (right?)
angle in degrees = 25.7

Basically all stated in the problem. HALP PLZ.

$14 \cdot \frac{\pi}{7} = 2\pi =$ one complete rotation

radius doesn't matter
• Oct 19th 2009, 06:46 PM
getfresh
Quote:

Originally Posted by skeeter
$14 \cdot \frac{\pi}{7} = 2\pi =$ one complete rotation

radius doesn't matter

okay I got that now. and that didn't help me at all. suicide brb.
What after that? I'M SO BRAINDEAD
• Oct 19th 2009, 06:52 PM
getfresh
is it 50pi?
• Oct 19th 2009, 07:04 PM
skeeter
Quote:

Originally Posted by getfresh
is it 50pi?

what are you talking about? ... I gave you the solution in my last post.