Drexel dragonThe Math ForumDonate to the Math Forum

The Math Forum Internet Mathematics Library

Riding on Square Wheels

_____________________________________
Library Home || Full Table of Contents || Suggest a Link || Library Help
_____________________________________

Visit this site: http://www.maa.org/mathland/mathtrek_7_13_98.html
Author:Ivars Peterson (MathTrek)
Description: A square wheel may be the ultimate flat tire. There's no way it can roll over a flat, smooth road without a sequence of jarring bumps. However, a square wheel can roll smoothly, keeping the axle moving in a straight line and at a constant velocity, if it travels over a road with the right sort of profile. That corrugated surface must consist of evenly spaced bumps, each one the shape of an inverted catenary...
Levels: Middle School (6-8), High School (9-12), College
Languages: English
Resource Types: Articles
Math Topics: Euclidean Plane Geometry

[Privacy Policy] [Terms of Use]

_____________________________________
Home || The Math Library || Quick Reference || Search || Help
_____________________________________

© 1994-2013 Drexel University. All rights reserved.
http://mathforum.org/
 The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Goodwin College of Professional Studies.The Math Forum is a research and educational enterprise of the Drexel University School of Education.