Calculating Rate of Change of Water in a Semi-Circular Bathtub

[songoku]

Homework Statement

A bathtub with shape semi-circle has radius 5 m is filled with water with rate 2 m^3/minute. How fast will the height of water in the bathtub change when it is 2 m from the bottom? Given that the volume of water when the radius = R and height = y is πy^2(R - y/3)

Homework Equations

differential

The Attempt at a Solution

The volume of bathtub (constant) = 2/3 πr^3

The rate of change of volume of water :
\frac{dV}{dt}=2\frac{m^3}{minute}

I have to find dy/dt. I think I have to find the relation between R and y, but I don't know how...

Thanks

 

[Dick]

R doesn't change. R=5 m. Only V and y change. And they already gave you the relation between them. V=πy^2(R - y/3). That part of the job is done. You just have to start with the differentiation.

 

[songoku]

Hi Dick

Oh I Think R is the radius of the water, not the bathtub. I just realized that's not possible.

Thanks a lot

 

[Mark44]

Can you provide the exact statement of the problem? Saying that "A bathtub with shape semi-circle" doesn't clearly describe it. Is a vertical cross-section of the tub semicircular? That would probably be the most reasonable interpretation, but I suppose it could have a horizontal cross-section that is semicircular. In either case, a radius of 5 m. seems very large for a bathtub. A radius of .5 m seems more realistic.

 

[songoku]

Hi Mark44

I got this question from my friend and that's all what he told me. I interpreted it as the vertical cross-section. Will it be different if it's horizontal cross-section? I think it will be the same.
About the radius, yeah 5 m is ridiculous for a bathtub. Maybe it's a pool

 

[Mark44]

You are given a formula for the volume of water in the pool when the water is y feet deep, and the radius of the pool is R feet:
V = \pi y^2(R - y/3)

Differentiate both sides with respect to t, using the chain rule. That will give you
dV/dt = (something involving y)*dy/dt

Solve this equation for dy/dt, and substitute in all the other known quantities at the time when y = 2 feet.

 

[songoku]

Hi Mark44

Ok Thanks a lot Mark