High School Project

D

dmoore07

Registered
Hello Ms. Barretta, my name is Derek Moore, and we're doing a project in my Calculus class. I originally planned to have Mr. McCready answer, but I'm running out of time. We have to do this report on how trig is used in the "real world," and I chose pool. So, we have to interview a pro, so would you mind if I asked you a few questions? They are:

1)How long have you been playing pool?
2)How often do pool players use trigonometry in their game?
3)When using the trig, how do you determine the correct angle?
4)Being so good at trig, do you ever use it outside of pool?
5)On average, how much would a professional pool player make?
6)How long did it take for you to be able to do the all of the math in your head?
7)Does someone teach you that, or did you have to learn from experience?
8)Do professional pool players have a job outside of pool?
9)Does being a pool player help you in any other areas of profession?
10)Finally, would you prefer any other profession that uses trig?

Thank you so much.

Derek Moore
 
Hi Derek,

I'm going to do my best to answer your questions!

1)How long have you been playing pool?
a)8 years

2)How often do pool players use trigonometry in their game?
a)I would say that pool players more often use basic Euclidean Geometry instead of trigonometry. Pool players, whether they realize it or not, see the pool table and ball paths as isosceles triangles and that is how we determine position play, kicks and banks.

3)When using the trig, how do you determine the correct angle?
a)No one stands at the table and calculates sine and cosine! What we usually do is try to find the center line of the isosceles triangle by using various methods, and sometimes using the diamonds on the rails as a ruler.

4)Being so good at trig, do you ever use it outside of pool?
a)I don't anymore, but when I was a fashion designer we used it all the time in flat patternmaking.

5)On average, how much would a professional pool player make?
a)The average would be misleading. There are a few players that make a lot, and a lot that make few.

6)How long did it take for you to be able to do the all of the math in your head?
a)When I use mathematical diamond systems for some 3 rail kicks, at first it took a minute or two. Now I can do very quick!

7)Does someone teach you that, or did you have to learn from experience?
a)My coach taught me the systems, but pool isn't played in a vacuum. There are many variables that change the angles, so you also need experience.

8)Do professional pool players have a job outside of pool?
a)Some do, some don't.

9)Does being a pool player help you in any other areas of profession?
a)Being a pool player has helped me in every area of life. I always say life is like a game of pool. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don't, but your best chance is to stay calm and take advantage of your opportunities when they come.

10)Finally, would you prefer any other profession that uses trig?
a)I would have to go back to fashion design!


Good luck with your project!
 
JennBarretta said:
Hi Derek,

I'm going to do my best to answer your questions!

1)How long have you been playing pool?
a)8 years

2)How often do pool players use trigonometry in their game?
a)I would say that pool players more often use basic Euclidean Geometry instead of trigonometry. Pool players, whether they realize it or not, see the pool table and ball paths as isosceles triangles and that is how we determine position play, kicks and banks.

3)When using the trig, how do you determine the correct angle?
a)No one stands at the table and calculates sine and cosine! What we usually do is try to find the center line of the isosceles triangle by using various methods, and sometimes using the diamonds on the rails as a ruler.

4)Being so good at trig, do you ever use it outside of pool?
a)I don't anymore, but when I was a fashion designer we used it all the time in flat patternmaking.

5)On average, how much would a professional pool player make?
a)The average would be misleading. There are a few players that make a lot, and a lot that make few.

6)How long did it take for you to be able to do the all of the math in your head?
a)When I use mathematical diamond systems for some 3 rail kicks, at first it took a minute or two. Now I can do very quick!

7)Does someone teach you that, or did you have to learn from experience?
a)My coach taught me the systems, but pool isn't played in a vacuum. There are many variables that change the angles, so you also need experience.

8)Do professional pool players have a job outside of pool?
a)Some do, some don't.

9)Does being a pool player help you in any other areas of profession?
a)Being a pool player has helped me in every area of life. I always say life is like a game of pool. Sometimes things go your way and sometimes they don't, but your best chance is to stay calm and take advantage of your opportunities when they come.

10)Finally, would you prefer any other profession that uses trig?
a)I would have to go back to fashion design!


Good luck with your project!
Click to expand...

I just thought it should be said that, that was a fantastic reply. When I read dmoore's questions I thought he would have to get a new topic.

Admittedly I'm not the most knowledgeable when it comes to math, so I wasn't even sure if trigonometry even applied to pool. If he asked me how often pool players use trigonometry I would have replied "trigowhat????" (j/k)
 
Nah, trig here is defined basically by the study or use of triangles, so pool fits in perfectly. Thanks a lot again.
 
With the submitted answers it seems Mrs. Barretta is smarter than she looks.

It just looks funny that the OP is new to AZ like this month new.

I am just saying that Mrs. Barreta sounds knowledgeable on trig applications to billiards.

:p
 
Last edited:
dmoore07 said:
Nah, trig here is defined basically by the study or use of triangles, so pool fits in perfectly. Thanks a lot again.
Click to expand...

:confused: :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

lol, I'll take your word for it mate. I dropped all my math and math related classes when I was in grad 10, so alot of this stuff is lost on me.

I'm working on a project of my own right now, hope yours is going better than mine :D.
 
I'm just glad he didn't ask me what kind of tip I use or the weight of my cue. At least he asked me questions that I knew the answers to! LOL
 
JennBarretta said:
I'm just glad he didn't ask me what kind of tip I use or the weight of my cue. At least he asked me questions that I knew the answers to! LOL
Click to expand...

LOL! I know how you feel about the equipment specs though. I was once asked what kind of tip I use, I responded "A blue one."
 
When I was in school, on our physics class we were discussing collision and impact, the teacher ask if the white ball was travelling at 5 mph and and hits the 1 ball at 45 degress to the left, what would be the resulting speed and angle of trajectory of the white ball after impact.

My answer " it depends on where the tip hits the white ball"

I got an F
 
Fish said:
When I was in school, on our physics class we were discussing collision and impact, the teacher ask if the white ball was travelling at 5 mph and and hits the 1 ball at 45 degress to the left, what would be the resulting speed and angle of trajectory of the white ball after impact.

My answer " it depends on where the tip hits the white ball"

I got an F
Click to expand...

LOL, I had the same arguments when I was in school. I'd always write stuff on my tests like "Well, I'm pretty sure the answer you're looking for is _________, but if you want to actually go play pool sometime, I can prove this wrong." It seems like high school physics always use pool for their real world examples and they always simplify it way too much.
 
Fish said:
When I was in school, on our physics class we were discussing collision and impact, the teacher ask if the white ball was travelling at 5 mph and and hits the 1 ball at 45 degress to the left, what would be the resulting speed and angle of trajectory of the white ball after impact.

My answer " it depends on where the tip hits the white ball"

I got an F
Click to expand...

Was your teacher referring to a red dot, red circle or bar ball? I like math a lot, but I always see pool in more of an artistic way, since so much more depends on where the tip hits, the speed, etc. I still avoid the "use one tip left" or using a diamond system for banking, I rely much more on a feel for what english, angle and power to use.
 
What benefits do you enjoy as a road hustler? Compared to those of a desk jock?

What kind of degree did you pursue for a bachelors degree.
 
I'm far from a road hustler...I go the professional route making all of my money from tournaments, exhibitions and appearances. The nice thing is I don't have to answer to anyone, I make my own hours and the people that I work for always appreciate me. I can't say I've ever had that in a desk job.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top