What is a conditional formula?

[kasie-tutor]

Does anyone know what a 'conditional formula' means in this context? Do you think I can use a piecewise function for the 'conditional formula'? Here is the problem:

"A goat is tied by a rope to the front of a 15' x 25' barn at a point 10' away from one corner. Write a conditional formula to express the area over which the goat can graze for any rope length up to 40 feet."

Here is a picture:

              25'
         ____________
         |           |
         |           |  15'
         |           |
         ---\-------- 
         10' \
              \ 
               \
                \  40'
                 \
                  \
                   \
                    \
                   .`)   
                    :___)'
                     | |

Thanks!

 

[pka]

It is usually called a piecewise defined function.
The function changes according to which piece is being used.
In this case, where the goat happens to be.
I can see five areas, each of which are sectors of circles of various radii.

 

[kasie-tutor]

Thank you pka,

I just wasn't sure if the only kind of conditional formula was a piecewise function. It does make sense to use a piecewise function. I couldn't find any definition of a conditional formula on the internet, but I guess it's just another name for piecewise defined.

Thanks!

Kasie