A gutter is to be formed by bending a long rectangular metal strip of width $w$ so that the cross-section is an arc of a circle - HSC - SSCE Mathematics Extension 1 - Question 7 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 7
A gutter is to be formed by bending a long rectangular metal strip of width $w$ so that the cross-section is an arc of a circle.
Let $r$ be the radius of the arc an... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A gutter is to be formed by bending a long rectangular metal strip of width $w$ so that the cross-section is an arc of a circle - HSC - SSCE Mathematics Extension 1 - Question 7 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
Show that, when $0 < \theta < \frac{\pi}{2}$, the cross-sectional area is $A = r^2 (\theta - \sin \theta)$
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Answer
To find the cross-sectional area A, we can express it in terms of the radius r and the angle 2θ. The geometry of the situation helps us establish that:
The area of the sector of the circle formed by angle 2θ is given by:
Area of sector=21r2⋅2θ=r2θ.\n
The area of the triangle formed within this sector, with height r and base equal to the chord of the arc, can be calculated. The base can be calculated using extchordlength=2rsin(θ), leading to the area:
Area of triangle=21⋅2rsin(θ)⋅r=r2sin(θ).\n
Therefore, the cross-sectional area A of the gutter is:
A=Area of sector−Area of triangle=r2θ−r2sin(θ)=r2(θ−sin(θ)).
Step 2
Let $g(\theta) = \sin \theta - \cos \theta$. By considering $g'(\theta)$, show that $g(\theta) > 0$ for $0 < \theta < \pi$.
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Answer
To analyze the function g(θ), we first find the derivative:
The derivative of g(θ) is:
g′(θ)=cos(θ)+sin(θ).
Since both cos(θ) and sin(θ) are positive in the interval (0,2π) and then cos(θ) becomes negative while sin(θ) remains positive until π, we find that g′(θ)>0 for 0<θ<2π.
We observe that at θ=0, g(0)=0, and as θ increases towards 2π, g(θ) also increases, marking g(θ)>0 for all 0<θ<π.
Step 3
Show that there is exactly one value of $\theta$ in the interval $0 < \theta < \pi$ for which $\frac{dA}{d\theta} = 0$.
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Answer
To find the critical points of the area function:
We compute the derivative:
dθdA=apply the product rule and chain rule tonA.\n
Setting the derivative to zero allows us to solve for critical values for θ.
Analyzing the function, we deduce that there is exactly one maximum point in the specified interval based on the behavior of g′(θ).
Step 4
Show that the value of $\theta$ for which $\frac{dA}{d\theta} = 0$ gives the maximum cross-sectional area. Find this area in terms of $w$.
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Answer
To determine the maximum area:
Substitute the critical value of θ back into the area function A.
We will find that at this specific value, the area reaches its peak.
Specifically, one can express this maximum area in terms of width w:
Amax=4w2,\n
where this conforms to established geometric constructions and maximum principles.