METHODS IA1
1. Introduction
The Steel Dragon 2000, located in Nagashima, Japan takes the crown for the longest roller coaster in
the entire world. Sitting at 1.5 miles long, the passenger has an enthralling 4 minutes of experiencing
different forms of acceleration. Using inspiration from the Steel Dragon 2000, Dreamworld, located
in Gold Coast of Queensland, Australia, plans to introduce a new roller coaster to institute a new
level of excitement. The objective of this report is to develop a roller coaster for Dreamworld to
grant passengers high levels of adrenaline. The report will create a mathematical model to represent
the roller coaster’s 2D outline (not accounting for any external tilt, invert or veer left or right) and
will be consist of four different functions (exponential base e, logarithmic, quadratic, cubic, etc.). The
model will also comply with further specifications provided by Dreamworld to fit their design
criteria.
2. Considerations
2.1 Observations
It was observed that approximately 80% of Dreamworld’s visitors come during the
summer months of Australia (Similarweb, 2024), therefore must account for a
design that takes cooling as a factor. Consequently, the mathematical model will
ensure that around 60% of the track consists of somewhat steep descents
(elaborated further in assumptions) to maximise airflow thus exemplifying rate of
cooling for riders.
It was observed that the Gold Coast’s average summer temperature reaches around
28-30° C, with humidity levels consistently overtaking 70% (Gold Coast Weather,
2024). Therefore, the mathematical model will justify cooling via steep descents as
well as constant changes in steepness via the changing of gradients to increase
adrenaline as well as cooling
2.2 Assumptions
It was assumed that the roller coaster would be built 5m above the start platform
(represented by x-axis) and will therefore be attached to two poles perpendicular to the
ground (represented by y-axis)
Another assumption is that once the car finished the track, there would be brakes on the
track that would slowly stop the car.
It was assumed that the roller coaster will not, at any point, exceed a steepness of 75° , as
constrained by Dreamworld’s design conditions.
It was assumed that the roller coaster will steep below the starting platform twice as
instructed by Dreamworld’s design conditions.
2.3 Mathematical Concepts and Techniques
Every little roller coaster segment will be precisely calculated by using differential calculus, a
mathematical technique that helps determine the derivative of functions to detect the gradient at
any given point. To represent the profile of the roller coaster, a piecewise function will be
constructed on Desmos. Once the model of the graph has been plotted, the adrenaline factor of the
roller coaster will be calculated via the steepness-factor of each segment of the roller coaster. The
mathematical model will ensure that this value does not exceed 75° . Differentiation will be used to
find the steepest gradient of the curve. To construct the actual path of the roller coaster, regression,
sliders, domain and range will be used. Simultaneous equations will be used to ensure that the path
may follow 2 specific points or to equate a segment to match two other segments. Of course,
function notation and best practices will be demonstrated in the making of the path.
3. Designing a Roller Coaster
3.1 Piece-wise function and Functional Notation
A piece-wise function is a function consisting of multiple different functions partitioned by multiple
domains.
What follows is the presentation of a design where the roller coaster will model in a piecewise
function, hence incorporating exponential functions in base e, logarithmic, quadratic, and cubic in
nature for various sections of the track.
Each section will take on a specific domain to ensure that continuity and smoothness are well taken
care of in ensuring that the ride is seamless. The functions will then be chosen and adapted
according to given constraints that say no steeper than 75° and have maximum height of 100m by
Dreamworld.
Graphing utilities, such as Desmos, will be used to visualise and verify the overall design to ensure
sections of the model join smoothly. The final product should be a coherent 2D model that fulfills
safety and excitement criteria as briefed by Dreamworld.
3.2 Steepness Factor
To determine the steepness
3.1 Regression
3.2 Sliders
3.3 Simultaneous Equations
3.4 Function Notation
3.4 Domain and Range
4. Evaluate, Verify and Improve
4.1 Evaluating and Verifying
4.2 Strengths and Limitations
5. Conclusion.
6. Reference List
7. Appendices
