Free counters!

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Centroid - Masses, Weights

Category: Algebra, Physics, Mechanics

"Published in Newark, California, USA"

Find the centroid of the following weights: 2 lbs at (3, 0, 1), 5 lbs at (-2, 3, 2), and 9 lbs at (4, 1, 4).

Solution: 

To illustrate the problem, it is better to draw the figure as follows

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

The total weight of the three weights is 





The x value of the centroid is calculated as follows











The y value of the centroid is calculated as follows











The z value of the centroid is calculated as follows











Therefore, the centroid of the three weights is



Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Approximation - Error Problem, 4

Category: Differential Calculus, Solid Geometry

"Published in Newark, California, USA"

Find the approximate formula for the volume of a thin right circular cylindrical shell if r, h, and t denote respectively the radius, length, and thickness.

Solution:

To illustrate the problem, it is better to draw the figure as follows

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

We know that the volume of a right circular cylinder is given by the formula


Take the differential on both sides of the equation, we have



Since the right circular cylinder has a uniform thickness which is t, then it follows that


The above equation becomes



Therefore, the volume of a thin right circular cylindrical shell is


Monday, July 29, 2013

Derivation - Angle Between Two Lines

Category: Analytic Geometry, Trigonometry

"Published in Newark, California, USA"

Prove that the formula for getting the angle between two lines is


Solution:

To derive the formula for getting the angle between two lines, let's draw the two intersecting lines in Rectangular Coordinate System as follows:

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

L1 is the first line that is inclined to the left and θ1 is the angle of inclination of a line in a counterclockwise direction from x-axis.

L2 is the second line that is inclined to the right and θ2 is the angle of inclination of a line in a counterclockwise direction from x-axis.

As you notice in the figure that L1, L2, and x-axis are the sides of a triangle. Let's label further the figure above as follows


Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

The sum of the interior angles of a triangle is calculated as follows




Take tangent on both sides of the equation, we have





Substitute the right side of the equation with the slope of two lines as follows

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

The slope of L1 is 







The slope of L2 is


Therefore, the formula for getting the angle between two lines is



Sunday, July 28, 2013

Three Triangles - Three Unknown Angles

Category: Trigonometry, Plane Geometry

"Published in Suisun City, California, USA"

Refer to the figure. Show that α + β = γ, and find tan γ.

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

Solution:

Referring to the given figure above

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

Since the two small triangles are right triangles, then we can get the other angle of two triangles as follows

Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

The two vertices of a big triangle are vertical angles with the other two triangles. The sum of the interior angles of a big triangle is calculated as follows



Therefore,


Consider again the figure above


Photo by Math Principles in Everyday Life

We can get the tangent of α and β as follows





If



Take tangent on both sides of the equation, we have







Substitute the values of tan α and tan β to the above equation









Therefore,