Undergraduate Journal of
Mathematical Modeling: One + Two
Volume 3 | 2011 Spring Issue 2 | Article 5
Roller Coasters Need Calculus Too!
Christina Marshall
University of South Florida
Advisors:
Masahiko Saito, Mathematics and Statistics
Jeff Hornick, Director of Design and Engineering, Busch Gardens
Problem Suggested By: Jeff Hornick
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Recommended Citation
Marshall, Christina (2011) "Roller Coasters Need Calculus Too!," Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two: Vol. 3:
Iss. 2, Article 5.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/2326-3652.3.2.5
Available at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/ujmm/vol3/iss2/5
Roller Coasters Need Calculus Too!
Abstract
Using the specifications of the given launch roller coaster, we were able to determine the position vector of the
roller coaster as a function of time. After determining the position function, we took the derivative of this
function to calculate the velocity of the coaster as a function of time. From this calculated velocity vector, we
were able to determine the time required for the coaster to reach its maximum height. We substitute this time
value back into the position function to determine the maximum height the launch roller coaster can obtain.
Keywords
Projectile Motion, Roller Coasters, Valley Out
This article is available in Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/ujmm/
vol3/iss2/5
Marshall: Roller Coasters Need Calculus Too!
2 CHRISTINA MARSHALL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Problem Statement ...........................................................................................3
Motivation........................................................................................................3
Mathematical Description and Solution Approach .........................................4
Discussion ........................................................................................................4
Conclusion and Recommendations .................................................................5
Nomenclature ...................................................................................................6
References........................................................................................................6
Produced by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2011
Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two, Vol. 3, Iss. 2 [2011], Art. 5
ROLLER COASTERS NEED CALCULUS TOO! 3
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Determine the position vector and find the maximum height of a launch roller coaster
traveling with an initial velocity of with a height of from the ground. The roller
coaster is launched from an angle of .
MOTIVATION
The launch roller coaster is a modern form of the classic amusement park ride. Unlike its
predecessors who rely on a chain lift, the launch coaster initiates the ride by launching the
coaster at high speed directly out of the gate. Vector calculus is a powerful tool for those in the
business of ride design and creation. Calculus methods allow us to determine the maximum
height attainable by a roller coaster before the track is even built. Without this knowledge a hill
could be constructed too high and the roller coaster would “valley out.” This term is used to
describe what happens when the roller coaster is unable to continue of its path, ultimately leaving
the coaster stuck on the lowest portion of the track. Amusement parks lose time and money from
malfunctions such as “valleying out” since the coaster has to be towed back to the starting
position. Doing all the appropriate calculations prior to the construction of the ride enables the
roller coaster to run as efficiently as possible.
https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/ujmm/vol3/iss2/5
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/2326-3652.3.2.5
Marshall: Roller Coasters Need Calculus Too!
4 CHRISTINA MARSHALL
MATHEMATICAL DESCRIPTION AND SOLUTION APPROACH
To determine the position vector of the roller coaster as a function of time we use a well-
known formula for projectile motion. Let represent the unit vector in the horizontal direction
and the unit vector in the vertical direction, then the position function is given by,
(1)
where is the initial velocity of the roller coaster, is the starting height of the roller coaster,
is the angle above the horizontal at which the coaster is launched, is the acceleration due to
gravity and all distances are measured in feet. Substituting the values given in the problem into
(1) yields:
. (2)
We differentiate (2) to obtain the velocity function,
. (3)
The roller coaster will be at its maximum height when the velocity in the vertical direction is ,
so we set to see seconds. Putting this time value into (2) we see
the maximum height attainable by the roller coaster is
DISCUSSION
After completing all calculations, using the given information we found that the
maximum height of the launch roller coaster would be . The objective of this problem
was met and it is very important to future development of roller coasters and amusement park
rides.
Produced by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2011
Undergraduate Journal of Mathematical Modeling: One + Two, Vol. 3, Iss. 2 [2011], Art. 5
ROLLER COASTERS NEED CALCULUS TOO! 5
CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Overall, this application of calculus proves to be very important to the field of
engineering. When it comes to designing and constructing rides there are many calculations that
need to be done. Without performing the appropriate steps to ensure things will run efficiently, it
could not only ruin the project at hand, but cause money loss and danger. Without taking the
time to perform these calculations and ensuring they are correct, it is very possible that a roller
coaster could crash, valley out or put the riders in an overly dangerous situation.
With launch coasters being part of the new craze, it is imperative that we take the
necessary precautions to ensure things are done properly. People’s lives are at stake when it
comes to projects of this magnitude and we would not want to be responsible for neglecting the
safety of others. Understanding the intricacies of how a roller coaster works will allow engineers
and ride designers to stay on the cutting edge and continue to produce gravity defying
amusement park rides.
When it comes to this project, we would recommend that others look into the effect that
the coaster will have after it has reached its maximum height. Coasters are not just one hill and
done, they contain many different elements before and after what we have investigated here. Not
only could we look at a launch roller coaster’s maximum height, but at its acceleration and the
force on the riders. This project highlights one of the many uses of calculus in real world
applications.
https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/ujmm/vol3/iss2/5
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5038/2326-3652.3.2.5
Marshall: Roller Coasters Need Calculus Too!
6 CHRISTINA MARSHALL
NOMENCLATURE
: Position function for the launch roller coaster
: Initial velocity of the roller coaster
: Angle at which the roller coaster is launched above the horizontal
: Initial height of the roller coaster in feet
: Acceleration due to gravity
: Velocity function for the launch roller coaster
: time in seconds
REFERENCES
Larson, Ron, Robert Hostetler and Bruce Edwards. Calculus. 8th Edition. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin
Company, 2005.
Produced by The Berkeley Electronic Press, 2011
