If a solid semicylindrical block (a block-letter D) is placed on its curved side on a horizontal table, the top (the flat side) will be parallel to the table.

The table is tilted by an angle, a, perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder. What angle will the top of the block form with the table now?

Assume angle a is small enough to prevent the block from slipping or tipping over.

Nevermind.  What appeared here before editing was not relevant. Bractals appears to have the right approach -- see the next comment.

Edited on January 16, 2006, 10:57 pm

Posted by Richard on 2006-01-16 20:23:33