Question

A ferris wheel has a diameter of 80 meters. How far does a rider travel in one complete rotation around the ferris wheel?

Answer 1

Given parameter:

Diameter of the ferris wheel  = 80m

Unknown:

Distance covered in one complete rotation = ?

Solution:

One complete rotation will sweep through the circumference of the wheel.

So,

  One complete rotation = Circumference of circle  = 2 $\pi$ r

Where r is the radius;

         Radius here is $\frac{80}{2}$  = 40m

So circumference = 2 x $\pi$ x 40 = 80$\pi$

The distance the wheel sweeps through will be 80π m