AP Calc project

[jai6638]

Hello there,

As a final project for our AP calculus AB ( single variable differentiation+integration) class, we need to "apply" calculus to a real life situation and being a pilot, I figured that doing something aviation related would be great... I read a thread on another forum last week where the person wanted to know if it would the benefit of climbing to a higher altitude for a faster tailwind outweigh the time it took to get to the higher altitude? I was thinking of doing this problem using calculus but not sure where to start since it seems too complicated.

Any other ideas or help?

Thanks

 

[SVT Cobra]

There is a lot you could do with wind sheer.

 

[Compnewbie01]

I would try and turn this into a related rate problem. A similar example would be swimming diagonally across a river or just crossing and walking to the end point. Walking and swimming each have their own different rates and you can find the minimum time it takes to get from start to finish.

 

[HN]

wait, they're making you do more after the AP test? :Q
after AP's were over we were allowed to play chess or read or sleep or other class' work or pretty much just sit there and don't disturb anyone.

 

[RallyMaster]

if you're a senior, don't do the project. profit!!

 

[bobert]

yeah, after APs, if we even bother to show up, we sleep, play games, watch movies, etc.

but for your project, I think doing a related rate problem like Compnewbie01 said would be the easiest thing since they are part of the actual curriculum. However, it kind of depends on what you want to get out of this project. If you want to just get by, then I think related rates problem is the right choice, but if you actually want to learn something to apply to aviation, then I am of no use to you.

 

[FleshLight]

Anything involving gradients or displacement = win

 

[Tiamat]

Originally posted by: HN
wait, they're making you do more after the AP test? :Q
after AP's were over we were allowed to play chess or read or sleep or other class' work or pretty much just sit there and don't disturb anyone.

wow, when I was a senior, AP was merely a midway point in the course. If we skipped out, we would immediately earn a Fail in the class causing a loss in the ability to graduate.

 

[LordMorpheus]

bust out the mean value theorum for an automated speed trap system.

My teacher in HS had a collection of these ridiculous math videos, one was the theory of the mean policeman, who gave a kid a ticket and explained the mean value theorum to him when the kid was getting off a tollway.

It was pretty hilarious.

 

[jai6638]

Failure to turn in this project would result in me failling the course.. freaking sucks

Originally posted by: Compnewbie01
I would try and turn this into a related rate problem. A similar example would be swimming diagonally across a river or just crossing and walking to the end point. Walking and swimming each have their own different rates and you can find the minimum time it takes to get from start to finish.

Do I just use a right triangle ( with the hypotenuse being the person's drift due to the current ) and diferentiate the pythagorean theorm for when the person walks and then seperately for when the person swims??