Question

Difficulty: MediumRadians and Degrees

A robotic arm rotates counterclockwise by 210210^\circ and then rotates clockwise by 7575^\circ. What is the net counterclockwise rotation of the robotic arm, in radians?

  1. 3π4\frac{3\pi}{4}Answer
  2. B
    4π3\frac{4\pi}{3}
  3. C
    29π36\frac{29\pi}{36}
  4. D
    3π5\frac{3\pi}{5}

Answer

The correct answer is 3π4\frac{3\pi}{4} radians.
The correct answer is determined by first finding the net angle of rotation. Subtracting the 7575^\circ clockwise rotation from the 210210^\circ counterclockwise rotation yields a net rotation of 135135^\circ counterclockwise. Converting this angle to radians is done by multiplying 135135^\circ by π180\frac{\pi}{180^\circ}, resulting in 135π180\frac{135\pi}{180} radians. Dividing both the numerator and denominator by 45 simplifies the fraction to 3π4\frac{3\pi}{4} radians.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the net counterclockwise rotation in degrees.
21075=135210^\circ - 75^\circ = 135^\circ
Since counterclockwise rotation is positive and clockwise rotation is negative, we subtract the clockwise rotation from the counterclockwise rotation.
2
Convert the angle from degrees to radians.
135×π180=135π180135 \times \frac{\pi}{180} = \frac{135\pi}{180} radians
To convert degrees to radians, multiply the degree measure by the conversion factor π180\frac{\pi}{180^\circ}.
3
Simplify the fraction to its lowest terms.
3π4\frac{3\pi}{4} radians
Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 45.

Key Concept

To convert an angle from degrees to radians, multiply the degree measure by π180\frac{\pi}{180^\circ} and simplify the resulting fraction.

Alternative Method

Alternatively, convert each individual rotation to radians first, then subtract. Convert 210210^\circ to radians: 210×π180=7π6210 \times \frac{\pi}{180} = \frac{7\pi}{6} radians. Convert 7575^\circ to radians: 75×π180=5π1275 \times \frac{\pi}{180} = \frac{5\pi}{12} radians. Subtract the clockwise rotation from the counterclockwise rotation: 7π65π12=14π125π12=9π12=3π4\frac{7\pi}{6} - \frac{5\pi}{12} = \frac{14\pi}{12} - \frac{5\pi}{12} = \frac{9\pi}{12} = \frac{3\pi}{4} radians.
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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