Question

A ferris wheel has diameter of 24 m and is 4 m above ground level at its lowest point. Assume that a rider enters a car from a platform that is 30^0 around the rim before the car reaches its lowest point. Model the rider's height above the ground versus angle using a transformed sine function

Answer 1

If we consider x the angle traveled since getting on the wheel,

h = 16+12sin(x-120)

Answer 2

Thanks Steve, but what is the reason for minus 120 and not plus 120?

Answer 3

I drew the diagram with the person boarding at -120°. As the wheel turns counter-clockwise, x starts increasing from 0°. Depending on how you set up your diagram, maybe +120° is appropriate.