Question

The Ferris wheel has a radius of 70 feet. The distance between the wheel and the ground is 4 feet. The rectangular coordinate system shown has its origin on the ground directly below the center of the wheel. Write the equation of the circular wheel. (JUSTIFY)

Answer 1

x² + (y-74)² = 4900

Explanation:

Circle equation: (x-h)² + (y-k)² = r²

"h" refers to horizontal shifts while "k" refers to vertical shifts. If the center of the wheel is directly above the origin of the rectangular plane and the entire wheel is 4 ft. from the ground then:

• h = 0
• k = 74 (the radius + 4 ft.)
• r = 70

So plugging those into the equation of circles, we get the answer above.