Mathematical Modelling with Sinusoidal Equations

Abstract:
Within this report two topics will be investigated and presented using
both, sine and cosine functions. The height (in metres) of a capsule in
the London Eyea Ferris wheel in Londonin relation to the given
times it has moved from its initial height. The second topic will
investigate the average monthly temperature in Paris.
Periodic Functions:
In basic terminology a periodic functions is a function that repeats
forever, in other words it is in its nature to have a common pattern
that will keep on repeating forever. What makes this pattern
distinctive is that it must have:
a) There must be one common maximum and minimum
b) An equal or similar amplitude; and
c) A midline can be defined and expressed by the expression y =
x, in which x represents the midline
The standard equation for wave functions, or sinusoidal equations, is
[ b ( xc ) ]+ d
represented as
. In latter equation each constant has a
y=a sin
different value: a is amplitude, b is the stretch or compression of
the period, c is the horizontal shift, and d is the vertical shift.
Through the report such equation will be referred occasionally with
the intention of determining the cosine and sine waves of the
previously stated topics.
1) The London Eye:
a. The London Eye, or the Millennium Wheel, is striking contrast to
the Westminster Abbey and the Westminster Bridge where the
London eye stands. A featured landmark of the city of London,
from which the view is even more spectacular than the structure
itself. So, before analysing the sinusoidal equation of the Eye of
London, here are some facts of the stark monument.
i. Built to celebrate the new millennium, which is
reason as to why it is also known as the Millennium
Wheel.
ii. On clear day, a person inside one of the capsules of
the London Eye can see up to 40km of distance, as
far as the Windsor Castle.
iii. It is the one of the most visited paid attractions in
all Great Britain, hauling a general public of 3 to 3.5
million visitors each year.
iv. Within any of the 32 capsules, the tickets can range
from $25 to $800. Inside the capsules there are
certain accommodations that allow passengers
experience different adventures.
b. Moving onto the specific information to solve the periodic
function:

i. One revolution: 30 minutes

73.5m

6m
135m
67.5m

ii. Height (From platform to maximum height): 135

metres
iii. Height of the platform (from ground to maximum
height of the platform): 6 metres [assuming]
iv. Circumference:
Diameter
135
424 metres
v. Radius: 67.5 metres
vi. The wheel rotates counter-clockwise
vii. The time it takes a capsule to move from one
position to another can be determined by dividing
the angle between the two position by the angular
speed of the Ferris wheel, 12 degrees/minutes.
Diagram of the Ferris wheel (not drawn to scale):

Table 1: Given times (in minutes) since the capsule started moving
and the heights (in metres) above the Thames River.
t
h
Time in minutes since the
Height in metres above the
capsule has moved from the
Thames River at each given time
platform
(Rounded to the hundredth)
0
6.00
2.5
15.04
5
39.75
7.5
73.50
10
107.25
12.5
131.96
15
141.00
17.5
131.96
20
107.25
22.5
73.50
25
39.75
27.5
15.04
30
6.00
As seen in the table above there is a minimum and maximum height
that the capsule of the Ferris wheel reaches; and that there is a
repetition of values for the height at different times. Thus in a table a
periodic function is visible, because there is crest and minimum which
follow a patternone of the requirements for a periodic functions
Therefore from the data collected a sinusoidal equation can be
created:
[ b ( xc ) ]+ d

y=a sin
y = Height of the capsule above the Thames river
x = Time of the since the capsule has moved from its initial
position
a = 67.5

o Because it is the radius of the Ferris wheel, and thus the

height from the centre line to the peak or trough of the
wave

b=
15
o Since on revolution is 30 minutes, the equation to get b
2
2

=30
=b =b
would be
b
30
15
o Note: the numerator of the first fraction is 2 , because
the b is affecting the period directly
c = -7.5
o Because one quarter of the circle is 7.5, and since the
phase shift is to right the number must be negative.
d = 73.5
o Since the axle centre of the Ferris wheel is 73.5 metres,
and the movement must be positive.

[ ( x7.5 )]+ 73.5

Thus the sine equation is:
. Which in a graph would
15
y =67.5 sin
Graph 1: Sine wave representing the relation between height of the capsule and time of

look like this:

Note that:
Dimensions of the window are
o
0 x 60
o
0 y 150
Domain: 0 x R
Range: 6 y 141
Y-axis represents the time since the capsule of the Ferris wheel
started moving from its original position.

 X-axis represents the height of the capsule above the Thames

river
The graph above illustrates two full periods, yet only one period
is shown with its maximum, minimum, and other points (times).
On that account, using the previous sine wave graph the cosine wave
graph representing the same relation can be found. Firstly, by

[ ( x7.5 )]+ 73.5

substituting the sine function of the equation
, the
15
y =67.5 sin

y=67.5 cos [ ( x 7.5 ) ]+73.5 . However the cosine equation

result is
15
doesnt represent the relation because both equations overlap. So, to
get the correct cosine equation there must be a horizontal shift to the
right, which can be found by using this equation (difference between
the sine wave and cosine wave max) + the max of the cosine wave.
So it would be ( 157.5 )+7.5=15 . Hence, the horizontal shift for the
cosine wave is 15, and because the shift is to the right, it is -15.
Then the cosine equation would be:

y=67.5 cos [

( x 15 ) ]+73.5 .
15

Which in a graph would look like this:

Graph 2: Cosine wave representing the relation between height of the capsule and time

Note that:
Dimensions of the window are
o
0 x 60
o
0 y 150

 Domain: 0 x R
Range: 6 y 141
Y-axis represents the time since the capsule of the Ferris wheel
started moving from its original position.
X-axis represents the height of the capsule above the Thames
river
The graph above illustrates two full periods, yet only one period
is shown with its maximum, minimum, and other points (times).
Limitations/Validation:
Due to the few outlets of information about the height of the
platform supporting the Eye of London, the equations of the
investigation might not really represent the actual heights of the Eye
of London. Therefore, if someone were to use the data of the
experiment to understand the height of the capsules of the Eye of
London above the Thames River, they might not get the actual
heights. However, if the equation was correct, tourists could use the
equation to find at which height is the city of London most visible, and
thus take better pictures of their trip.
2) Average Monthly Temperature in Paris
a. Paris is the largest metropolitan area within France, and also
one of the most densely populated metropolitan areas within
Europe. Commonly referred as the City of Light, it was
considered the centre of the Age of Enlightenment and during
the late 19th century Paris became a synonym for technological
advancements. Thus, its no surprise that Paris sees millions of
people touring the city yearly. And, is also no surprise that
tourism is a multi-billion dollar business for the city. Hence, its
important for tourist to know which month is best suited for an
escapade to the old roman city Lutetia.
Data:
Table 1: Data collected of average temperature monthly of Paris
Month
Ja Fe Ma Ap Ma Ju Ju Au Se Oc No De
n
b
r
r
y
n
l
g
p
t
v
c
Average
2
Temperatur 5
6
9
11 15 16
20 16 12 7
5
0
e (
Note that:
From the Data collected there is a max (20 ) and a min (5

It also shows that there is a downward and upward pattern in

the average temperature of the month, forming a cycle
throughout the year.

 Furthermore, the warmer and colder average temperatures

follow the common trend for countries in the northern
hemisphere.
Building the sinusoidal equation:
From the table above is visible that there is a max and min
o Min: 5
o Max: 20
MaxMin
Thus we use the min and max in the equation:
.
2
Using the equation will help us find the amplitude, a; which is
the midline of the function to its maximum or minimum.
MaxMin 205 15

7.5=a
o
2
2
2
Because the data collected shows the average monthly
temperature, the period of the function would be 12, since there
are twelve months in year.
o Knowing the period helps finding the value b of the
equation; which represents the vertical stretch of the
graph.
2
o To find it the equation: b=
is needed. Remember
period
that the period is 12
2

=b
o Hence the b is:
12
6
Afterwards the points and the rudimentary equation need to
graphed to understand the shifts of the functions
Note that:
o The y axis represents the degrees Celsius and the is from
0 to 20
o The x axis represents the months in a year, thus it is from
0 to 12

Graph 3: Data points vs. Rudimentary Function (

Therefore to find the real equation some finding need to be

made
To find the horizontal shift, or c value, a calculation was made to
see how many units were the origin of the equation (0,0) from
the highest data point was. Through that method used the value
was -2.1
The horizontal shift, or d value, can be represented in a
MaxMin
2 . So with the equation the d
standard equation:
2
value is 12.5

So the equation at the end looked like this:

6
( x2.1)+12.5
7.5sin

 The equation thus in a graph would have a midline, a max and

min, and amplitude.
Graph 4 Degreed Celsius vs. Month of the year

Note

that:
The y axis represents the Degrees Celsius
The x axis represents the months in year (12)
The graph shown is just a period, however, the cycle would
continue with the max always being 20, and the min 5
Dimensions
o
0 y 20
o
0 x 12

Limitation/Validation:
Although the graph shows a sinusoidal equation, with a peak and
trough that will go on forever, it doesnt really match the data points
collected of the average monthly temperature of Paris. In the
information collected there is a repetition of many of the values; this
is problem because in a common sinusoidal equation the y values
would never be repeated. Hence, the information collected could
never be expressed in a trigonometric function, or function overall.
However the graph above could be a real demonstration of the
temperature of Paris over year. How could that be? Well, because
Paris as mentioned above follows the normal pattern of northern
hemisphere countries, it would have its warmer months in the middle
of the year and the colder ones in the first and last months of the

year. That is represented in the function above, plus it shows the

maximum and minimum temperatures of the city.