Escalator Drawing #1.
The measurements of the escalator are marked. For this experiment we are going to use the formula:
a squared plus b squared is equal to c squared.
We found the measure of a and b with a carpenter's tape.
a = 363 inches and b = 208 inches
c = ( 363^2 + 208^2 )^(1/2) = ( 131769 + 43264 )^(1/2)
so c = 418.369 inches.
We will also use d = r t.
Students took turns finding time t using a stop watch.
Our class average was 22.5415 seconds.
Distance, d, equals 418.369 inches.
Now we need the rate, r = 418.369/22.5415 = 18.55994499 in/sec
Converting 18.55994499 in/sec into miles per hour:
18.55994499 in/sec * 3600 sec/hr /( 63360 in/mi ) = 1.054542329 miles/hour
Then r = 1.055 mph.
The horizontal rate of motion can be calculated:
363 inches/22.5415 seconds = 16.10363108 inches/second
16.10363108 inches/second * 3600 sec/hr /( 63360 in/mi ) = 0.914979038 miles/hour
The vertical rate of motion can be calculated:
208 inches/22.5415 seconds = 9.227424972 inches/second
9.227424972 inches/second * 3600 sec/hr /( 63360 in/mi ) = 0.524285509 miles/hour
Rate Drawing #2.
By the Pythagorean Theorem:
((0.914979038 miles/hour)^2 + (0.524285509 miles/hour)^2)^(1/2) =
about 1.05454 miles/hour.
For more information and ideas about this project you may link to a page written by one of the following math artists: Danielle, Darlene, Kellie, Jill, Nanyal, Kevin, Crystal, Rachel, Christina, Jennifer, Candice, Vincent's Second and Fourth Web Page, Esther and Melinda. Most of us are in this picture but not in order of names.
