Well, close. The float is pivoting on the float pin; so different portions of the float are moving different amounts. The linear distance at the pivot of course will be zero, with the maximum movement at the toe of the float.
The reason I mentioned trig is that the float is moving in a circular motion, and we are measuring linear motion; and they are not the same (but very close).
Reminds me of a math instructor in college who was trying to explain limits some 50 years ago. He placed a couple of boys against one wall, and a couple of girls against the other wall. He then had them half the distance between them, and then half it again, and then again, etc. After about 10 iterations, he made the comment that, like limits, the distance, when halved, will never be zero, but will be close enough for all practical purposes!
Jon
