Crankshafts on Cars

[greatwhiteshark]

On certain cars, the crankshafts is 3 inches long and the connecting rod is 9 inches long. At the time when the angle OPA = 15 degrees, how far is the piston (P) form the center (O) of the crankshaft?

NOTE: O is the center of a circle.

MY PLAN:

tan15degrees = 3 inches/x and then solve for x. Is this right?

 

[tkhunny]

I need a better picture.

 

[greatwhiteshark]

hey

I don't know how to draw pictures using my keyboard.