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Trignometry Project Report

This document summarizes a student project that used trigonometry to calculate the distance from a point to the center of a semicircle in a school field. The students measured the distances from the point to two other points on the semicircle, then used trigonometric relationships and circle theorems to calculate the distance to the center. They acknowledged limitations in measurement accuracy and potential sources of error. They also discussed how this approach could be applied to measure larger distances that are impractical to measure directly.

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Navya Sanchetee
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121 views8 pages

Trignometry Project Report

This document summarizes a student project that used trigonometry to calculate the distance from a point to the center of a semicircle in a school field. The students measured the distances from the point to two other points on the semicircle, then used trigonometric relationships and circle theorems to calculate the distance to the center. They acknowledged limitations in measurement accuracy and potential sources of error. They also discussed how this approach could be applied to measure larger distances that are impractical to measure directly.

Uploaded by

Navya Sanchetee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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IBDP Mathematics Analysis and Approaches

Higher Level

Topic: Trigonometry in Real Life Applications

Aim: To find the distance to the center of a given


semicircle from a certain point.

Conducted by:

Harsh Ahuja
Aarav Dhinman
Navya Sanchetee
Anvi Pathak
Anushka Saharawat
TTable of Contents

● Introduction
● Method and Calculations
● Limitations
● Error Analysis
● Future Applications of this Investigation
● Reflection
Introduction
The objective of this project was to use trigonometry and measure any
property of any object in the space given to us i.e the school field.
In 240 B.C., a mathematician named Eratosthenes discovered the
radius of the Earth using trigonometry and geometry. In 2001, a group
of European astronomers did an experiment that started in 1997 about
the distance of Venus from the Sun.
We decided to use trigonometry to find the exact distance to the center
point of a semicircle in the school ground. To apply any concept in
isolation to the environment limits eligible contexts to a modicum of
examples, albeit varied and ubiquitous. In this case, the field is an old
and dear friend, and demands two interconnected systems of
mathematics: circles and triangles, where the former geometrically
characterizes the problem, and the latter acts like a compass uniquely
calibrated to the final solution.
Method
Since we did not have enough measurements to calculate our desired
output, we first found OC and OD using footsteps. Figure 1 depicts the
general geometry of the reference area. The foot length used for OC
was 31.5 cm and 30.5 cm for OD. OC approximated to 52 footsteps and
OD to 26.

Figure 1. An equivocal diagram of the reference section of the field.


From this diagram alone, length OA cannot be determined as there is a
shortage of information. However, this semicircle can be extrapolated
to an imaginary complete circle as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Extrapolated diagram.


Beyond this juncture, two circle theorems were applied: Subtended
Angles and Cyclic Quadrilaterals. The calculations and final results are
displayed in Figure 3.
Figure 3. Ascertaining OA.

Limitations
The measurements gleaned were only two, but the overall process is
somewhat cumbrous, so more efficient techniques would be helpful.
However such techniques presuppose small length approximations,
which would further amplify the errors identified below. Furthermore, it
was necessary to assume that the assessed structure was a semicircle
and not a semi oval. The percentage error of the outcome can also not
be ascertained without a Birds Eye view of the structure: something
which cannot be obtained without a drone.
Error Analysis
In this project there was multiple scope for error. We began with
measuring the shoe sizes in centimeters to calculate the lengths
required for the question.
- Firstly, two different people with varying shoe sizes were part of
the measuring which could cause error and differences in the
values
- The scale that was used to measure the shoe sizes might not
have been placed properly, which could lead to inaccurate
measurements. The uncertainty in the measurements can be
taken out by calculating the fractional uncertainty of the
measurement of the foot and multiplying it by the length of the
cord OC.
△(𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑒) △𝑂𝐶
𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑒
= 𝑂𝐶
0.5
31.5
× 16. 38 =± 0. 2 𝑚
0.5
30.5
× 7. 39 =± 0. 1 𝑚
- The number of steps might be inaccurate due to random error in
the foot placement locations, resulting in different step lengths
everytime.
- The steps might not have been in a straight line therefore the
measurements will not be as accurate.
- The field center might not be the actual center that we have
calculated as the semicircle may not be a perfect one.
- Ground might not be flat and small curvatures will be
unaccounted for.
To find the uncertainty in the final value we will again use
uncertainty. But for this we will use propagation of uncertainty as
this can be further used with other values hence propagation of
uncertainty will allow us to always get the exact uncertainty in the
final value.
The formula for propagation of uncertainty is :-

(here ∂ is the symbol for


partial derivative)
This uses partial derivatives but as our equation in the end is just
subtraction so the partial derivatives will become 1 and -1. So
simply It is

The simple average uncertainty can also be used but those are
for static values and in a wider application range this is more
accurate.

Future Applications of this investigation


Since this problem involved large distances that were impractical to
measure, it seems justified to say that smaller distances would not be a
suitable application for this investigation as a simple device such as a
compass could be used to obtain the output of the center. Hence,
larger distances would probably benefit from this investigation
however our method of obtaining the distance of two lengths OC and
OD would most likely fail if distance is large to an impractical extent
due to most visible reasons being error in counting of steps taken
and/or imbalance/fatigue over a long distance. Therefore, this
investigation would better suit a similar situation where geometric
measurements would be easier to measure but at the same time a
distance that could be easily measured would prove to be ineffective
use of this investigation.

Reflection
The investigation was fairly short notice and so the chosen application
was certainly somewhat extraneous. Trigonometry is highly relevant to
other scientific investigations such as the harmonic oscillator, so there
is certainly scope to model a more accessible and dynamic system. As
mentioned before, trigonometric ratios are applicable to just about any
geometric structure that can be safely approximated, however such
investigations would lack purpose or utility. In comparison, our
investigative focus may be applicable to larger shapes which are
arduous to chart.

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