Multiple Ferris Wheels

The position of a point on the ride is calculated using the sum of sinusoidal functions. The movement along the large wheel is modeled by the sinusoidal function with the larger period; the movement along any of the small wheels is modeled by the sinusoidal function with the smaller period. This Demonstration allows you to vary the radius, direction, and speed of any of the smaller wheels (relative to the large wheel) and observe the effects on the rider's path, the height on the ride, and the associated parametric equations.