Question

The minute hand of a clock is 4.5 inches long .what distance does the tip move in 25 minutes

Answer 1

Solution:

s = r * θ where s is the arc length, r is the radius of the circle and θ is the angle in radians.

s = 4.5in * θ

25 mins are $\frac{5}{12}$ of an hour and the angle is $\frac{5}{12}$ of $2 \pi = \frac{5 \pi}{6}$

s = 4.5in * $\frac{5 \pi}{6}$ = $\frac{15 \pi}{6}$ inches, about 11.78 inches