Even though it was now middle of winter, Jack hauled out his ladder and placed his ladder against the side of the house and began to climb. He had some bad luck when he reached the half-way point. The ground was a frozen sheet of ice and the base of his ladder slipped out and the top slid down the side of the house. Jack, clinging to the center rung, wound up moving from Point A on the side of his house to Point B on the ground.

Describe the path Jack traveled.

(In reply to re: Good explanation by Vee-Liem Veefessional)

I have figured out Jack's coordinates through the arc.

What is the formula for a circle?

If I can figure that out, we'll find out if it is a 1/4 circle or a 1/2 parabola.

Start off at x=0, y=10, then decrease the y by 1 each time to calculate x. use l for the hypotnuse {l=ladder(10')}. Jack would be at (0,5). remember to use half of each x/y for Jack's position.

I have him at positions (3,4) and (4,3), so I'm guessing it's a 1/4 circle.

Posted by Jim on 2004-08-09 17:17:11