The Navy Pier Ferris Wheel in Chicago has a circumference that is ​56% of the circumference of the first Ferris wheel built in 1893.

Question

What is the radius of the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel?

What was the radius of the first ferris wheel?

The first ferris wheel took 9 minutes to make a complete revolution. How fast was the wheel moving?

Answer 1

You must first get the radius of Navy Pier Ferris wheel. Lets say that you have said fact, call it "r_2". Using the equation for circumference (C=2*pi*r) you must then find the circumference of the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel, call it "C_2". Now you can relate "C_2" and the fact that it is 56% the circumference the first ferris wheel --call it "C_1"-- to find first C_1, then the radius of the first ferris wheel --call it "r_1". That is to say relating both ferris wheel circumferences together via an equality/equation will allow you to solve for the radius of the first ferris wheel. To solve for the speed of the first ferris wheel find the distance traveled in one revolution over he time given --9 minutes-- that is your answer. You can present this meters/minute for least calculation or in km/seconds or miles per hour for more calculation. Have fun!