Billiard Ball Mathematics.....Click Here to Download File

THE PROBLEM: On the billiard ball table below, if the ball is hit as indicated, how many times would the ball hit the cushions before it hits the right end of the table.
STEP ONE: Define the problem:

The purpose of this investigation is to study the path that a billiard ball will take as it travels on a rectangular billiard table.  The ball will travel from the lower left hand corner of the table.
HYPOTHESIS: State how many side wall hits it will take to get to the right end wall for each given path.
INVESTIGATION: Materials required:  ruler, protractor, four coloured pencils

Step 1: Extent line A to the first cushion.  Measure the angle.  Enter all data on the table below.
Step 2: Measure and draw the rebound path.
Step 3: Continue to extend the path of the ball and measure each angle, until the ball reaches the right end wall.
Step 4: Repeat steps 1 – 3 for lines B,C, D.  Use a different colour for each path.

Path

Rebound Angle

Number of Hits to Right End Wall

A

 

 

B

 

 

C

 

 

D

 

 

 
OBSERVATION:  
CONCLUSION:  
APPLY YOUR FINDINGS:  

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