This lesson unit is intended to help you assess how well students are able to: [br][list][br][*]Model a periodic situation, the height of a person on a Ferris wheel, using trigonometric [br]functions.[br][*]Interpret the constants a, b, c in the formula [math]h = a*sin(360*t/b)+c[/math] in terms of the physical situation, [br]where h is the height of the person above the ground and t is the elapsed time.[br][/list][br][br]Step 1: Turn the Ferris Wheel[br]Step 2: Study how the red graph created by the turning Ferris Wheel[br]Step 3: Use the slider of a, b, c to find a function that best describes the relationship between the time elapsed and the height of the red car on the Ferris Wheel? [br]Step 4: After you find the function, Click on New and do it again.

[list=1][br][*]What is the radius of the Ferris Wheel?[br][*]How high is the person when she is in the bottom car?[br][*]When t = 4, what is the height of the passenger on the red car? How do you know? [br][*]How long does it take for the wheel to complete one turn? How does your graph show the rate of rotation?[br][*]Which quantities vary as the Ferris Wheel turns? Which measures do not vary?[br][*]What does [b]a[/b] represent? [br][*]What does [b]b[/b] represent? [br][*]What does [b]c[/b] represent? [br][/list]