M5 - Ferris Wheel Investigation

In this investigation we are going to look at models for how the cabins move around a Ferris
Wheel.

London Eye

On the London Eye Ferris Wheel, riders enter the cabins at the
bottom, which is at a height of 15 metres above the ground. The
cabins reach a height of 135 metres, and it takes 30 minutes to
complete a full revolution.

Jonathan suggests this model for the height, h metres, of a cabin 𝑡

minutes after the riders enter it.

2π
ℎ = 75 − 60𝑐𝑜𝑠( 30 𝑡)

To visually understand this equation, we will plot it in Geogebra, and look at what shape it
gives us.
The following sinusoidal graph represents one full rotation of the ferris wheel (the segment
in between the trough of x=0 and x=30). The graph shows the highest point at the sinusoide
crests, 135, and the lowest at the trough, being 15. The length of the period of each rotation
is determined by the space in between both troughs. With these statements, we can see
that the y-axis represents the height and the x-axis represents the time the ferris wheel has
been rotating.

If we now go and look at the 1st and 3rd quarter, halfway to the top, we can see that
the height is 75 metres above ground, the midpoint in between the minimum height
and the highest point.
Here we can see that the section above 100 metres, goes from point I (9.55,100) to point J
(20.45,100). To see the time it has been, all we have to do is subtract 9.55 to 20.45 and we
end with 10.5. This means that during the revolution, the cabin stays for 35% of the time of
the journey above 100 metres. If we want to look at the distance travelled by the cabin
above 100 metres from the whole journey, we first need to find the total distance the cabin
makes. To see this, we just have to subtract the maximum altitude by the starting point
135 − 15 = 120. Then, we have to see how much distance is done above 100 metres,
which is 35 metres. To find the concise percentage of the journey above 100 metres, all we
35
have to do is divide both numbers and end with a percentage. 120
= 29. 2 3𝑠𝑓. We can see
that this result is not equal to our previous time conclusion.

As we’re observing, our results are not perfect. The main thing we’re experimenting with is
dealing with reality. With this, we mean that real measurements aren’t perfectly precise, as
if there was only one correct answer. As an example, we may ask, what is meant by highest
height. Is it the highest height the cabin ceiling reaches, the floor of the cabin, or do they
mean a cable that hangs from underneath the cabin. Reality is, it doesn’t really matter,
whether they’re measuring from the ceiling, the floor, if there’s a change in rotation speed,
etc. All of these real life factors have a margin of error from any exact truth, so it is expected
that there will be some degree of error in each calculation that takes data from real life
scenarios.
Star of Nanchang

On the Star of Nanchang Ferris Wheel, riders enter the cabins at the
bottom, which is at a height of 10 metres above the ground. When at
the top, the cabins are at a height of 160 metres, and it takes 35 minutes
to complete a full revolution.

Let us now find the equation that the Star of Nanchang would have.

2π
ℎ = 90 − 70𝑐𝑜𝑠( 35 𝑡)

​
​

To achieve this sinusoidal equation, we’ve first observed our first equation,
2π 2π
ℎ = 75 − 60𝑐𝑜𝑠( 30 𝑡) and identified patterns using the ℎ = 𝐴 − 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠( 𝐶
𝑡) model. The
first thing we see is that 60 = 2 · 30. This seems to indicate that the relation in between B
and C is 𝐵 = 2𝐶. The other relationship we see has to do with A and B. What we observe is
that 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡. So using these two relationships, we’re able to see what we’ll
need to do to find the Star of Nanchang’s equation. What we’re given is
2π
ℎ = 𝐴 − 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠( 35 𝑡), with this, all we need to do now is fill in B, and subtract B to 160.

35 · 2 = 70 = 𝐵

160 − 70 = 90

2π
ℎ = 90 − 70𝑐𝑜𝑠( 35 𝑡),

Now, these patterns aren’t correct, since there is one major error we’ve made. We have not
determined the minimum height of the cabin, and here’s where there is another pattern
we’ve spotted. Instead of saying that 𝐵 = 2𝐶, we can see there may be another pattern
quite similar to the maxheight. This equation would solve the minimum height factor of the
sinusoide 𝐴 − 𝐵 = 𝑚𝑖𝑛ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡. This would make more sense than the earlier, as combined
with 𝐴 + 𝐵 = 𝑚𝑎𝑥ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 they both give us the elements required.

New Ferris Wheel

Jonathan is designing a new Ferris Wheel, and the details have not been decided yet. Riders
will enter the cabins at the bottom at a height of 𝑎 metres, and the height at the top will be
𝑏 metres. It will take 𝑐 minutes to complete a full revolution.

Parameters:

Max Height: 150 metres

Time it takes: 25 mins

Min height 20 metres

2π
ℎ = 85 − 65𝑐𝑜𝑠( 25 𝑡 )
 ​
2π
​ ℎ = 160 − 140𝑐𝑜𝑠( 25 𝑡)

To properly understand the consequences of changing the different parameters with the
sliders, we’ll be producing different models for ferris wheels.

1.

​
2π
​ ℎ = 75 − 52( 48 𝑡)
2.
2π
​ ℎ = 2 − 1𝑐𝑜𝑠( 100 𝑡)
​
 3.
2π
​ ℎ = 45 − 30𝑐𝑜𝑠( 2
𝑡)

4.
2π
​ ℎ = 70 − 40𝑐𝑜𝑠( 35 𝑡)
​

We can see that the most appropriate of our models is model 3. It has the best safety,
without any extreme speeds, but not being as slow and boring as model 2. It also has quite
standard construction, while the other models require expensive or inexistent technology.
 ​
Changing the Starting Position
Returning to The London Eye, it turns out that the riders actually get on at a point
that is 25 metres above the ground. The cabins then drop down to their lowest point
of 15 metres before rising up to 135 metres. As before, it takes 30 minutes to
complete a full revolution.

Now, what we have to do is find what it is we’ve got to add to our previous equation in order
for it to transpose the starting point of the sinusoide. Changing the starting point on the
x-axis will need something that modifies the part in the equation in charge of the x-axis
2π
parameters. Inside the equation, this part would be 35
𝑡. What we’ll modify in the equation
will be the preceding part, by adding + 𝐷 inside the brackets. We’ll now go and replace the
values to fit with our London eye.

2π
​ ℎ = 𝐴 − 𝐵𝑐𝑜𝑠( 𝐶
𝑡 + 𝐷)
​
2π
​ ℎ = 75 − 60𝑐𝑜𝑠( 30 𝑡 + 𝐷)

To find the value of D all we need to do is look at how far 25 metres is away from the starting
point of the sinusoide, and we’ll see that it’s 2.8. If we now move the slider, we can see the
value we’re looking for is 5.6, which is coincidentally twice as much, leaving our equation to
be,

2π
​ ℎ = 75 − 60𝑐𝑜𝑠( 30 𝑡 + 5. 6)
Academic Integrity

You must produce your report as a single Google Doc, which automatically maintains the Editing
History as you produce it.

Your teacher may ask that you share this Doc with them at any time. Failure to share the Google Doc
or the sharing of a Google Doc with a nonsensical Editing History may result in an Academic Integrity
inquiry.

Submission of your Work-in-Progress

To help you with your time management, your teacher will set up a Deadline on ManageBac for you
to submit what you have done so far mid-way through the time of the investigation. You must submit
a pdf of your Work-in-Progress at this designated time so that your teacher can see that you are on
track to complete the investigation on time.

Submission of your Final Report

You must convert your Google Doc into pdf format and upload it to the DropBox on ManageBac.
Other formats may not open correctly on your teacher’s computer, e.g. equations being replaced by
strange symbols, and you could lose marks for this.

To obtain the highest level for each of the following criteria you will need to do the following:

Level Descriptors Indicators

Criterion D 1–2 The student is able to: ​

- Relate at least one real-life property to the model of the
Apply Maths in ​ - identify some London Eye.
Everyday Life
of the elements ​ - Attempt to solve the two numerical problems for the London
of the Eye
real-life
situation
​ - apply
mathematical
strategies to
find a
solution with
limited success.
3–4 The student is able to: ​
- Relate both real-world spatial and temporal properties to a
​ - identify the model.
relevant ​ - Create a model for the Star of Nanchang Ferris Wheel.
elements of the
​ - Solve the two numerical problems in the London Eye.
real-life
situation ​ - Discuss whether they make sense.

​ - select, with
some success,
adequate
mathematical
strategies to
create a model
of the situation.
​ - apply
mathematical
strategies to
reach a
solution.
​ - discuss
whether the
solution makes
sense.

5–6 The student is able to: ​

- Create a model for the New Ferris Wheel, involving the
​ - select parameters.
adequate ​ - Find values of the parameters that meet the viewing
mathematical requirement.
strategies to
​ - Discuss the modelling assumptions for the London Eye.
model the
situation.
​ - apply the
selected
mathematical
strategies
to reach a valid
solution..
​ - explain the
degree of
accuracy.
​ - explain
whether the
solution makes
sense.
 7-8 The student is able to: ​
- Show a firm understanding of the real-world considerations
​ - all the above in selecting appropriate values of the parameters for the New
​ - justify the Ferris Wheel.

degree of ​ - Have some success with the Extension problem.

accuracy.
​ - justify
whether the
solution makes
sense.

To what level do you think What did you think you did well? In what ways do you think you could have done better?
you achieved?

Level awarded by teacher. Comments: