How Fast Are the Man and Woman Moving Apart in the Related Rates Problem?

In summary: For heights h greater than 8 meters, b is greater than 8 meters. For heights h less than or equal to 8 meters, b is less than or equal to 8 meters.
  • #1
Rasine
208
0
A man starts walking north at 6 ft/s from a point P. Five minutes later, a woman starts walking south at 2 ft/s from a point 500 ft due east of P. At what rate are the people moving apart 30 min after the woman starts walking?

so i was ableto set up a right triangle using the x-y plane (y being north and x being east)

so i was trying to relate the components with distance^2=x^2+y^2
then where i differientate i get dd/dt=dx/dt+dy/dt

i know dy/dt=8 and i want to know dd/dt

there dx/dt=0 becuase there is no change in x...x is always 500 ft

so would dd/dt=dy/dt=8 ?
 
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  • #2
Rasine said:
A man starts walking north at 6 ft/s from a point P. Five minutes later, a woman starts walking south at 2 ft/s from a point 500 ft due east of P. At what rate are the people moving apart 30 min after the woman starts walking?

so i was ableto set up a right triangle using the x-y plane (y being north and x being east)

so i was trying to relate the components with distance^2=x^2+y^2
then where i differientate i get dd/dt=dx/dt+dy/dt
Then you differentiated wrong! If [itex]dd^2= x^2+ y^2[/itex] then, differentiating, 2dd d(dd)/dt= 2x (dx/dt)+ 2y (dy/dt). Since dx/dt= 0,
2dd d(dd)/dt= 2y(dy/dt) so dd d(dd)/dt= 2y dy/dt. Now, 30 minutes after the woman starts walking (35 minutes after the man starts walking) what are dd and y?

i know dy/dt=8 and i want to know dd/dt

there dx/dt=0 becuase there is no change in x...x is always 500 ft

so would dd/dt=dy/dt=8 ?
Very close but not exactly!
 
  • #3
Pyramid shaped tank...?

Does anyone know how to do this problem on related rates?:

The base of a pyramid-shaped tank is a square with sides of length 8 meters, and the vertex of the pyramid is 8 meters above the base. The tank is filled to a depth of 2 meters, and water is flowing into the tank at the rate of 4 cubic meters per minute. Find the rate of change of the depth of water in the tank. (Hint: the volume of a pyramid is given by V=1/3bh, where b is the base area and h is the height of the pyramid)
 
  • #4
Please, please, please! Do not "hijack" someone else's thread for a different question. Start your own thread- it's not that difficult!

The base of a pyramid-shaped tank is a square with sides of length 8 meters, and the vertex of the pyramid is 8 meters above the base. The tank is filled to a depth of 2 meters, and water is flowing into the tank at the rate of 4 cubic meters per minute. Find the rate of change of the depth of water in the tank. (Hint: the volume of a pyramid is given by V=1/3bh, where b is the base area and h is the height of the pyramid)
Okay, can you determine how h is related to b for different heights of the water?
 

FAQ: How Fast Are the Man and Woman Moving Apart in the Related Rates Problem?

What is the concept of related rates in the context of a man walking?

The concept of related rates involves analyzing the relationship between different variables that are changing at the same time. In this case, we are interested in the relationship between the man's speed, distance, and time as he walks.

How do you set up a related rates problem for a man walking?

To set up a related rates problem for a man walking, we need to identify the variables involved and determine which ones are changing with respect to time. We also need to establish a relationship between these variables, such as using the formula d = rt for distance, rate, and time.

What is the role of calculus in solving related rates problems for a man walking?

Calculus is essential in solving related rates problems for a man walking because it allows us to find the rate of change of one variable with respect to another. This is done through differentiation and integration, which help us determine how the variables are changing over time.

What are some common real-life applications of related rates for a man walking?

Related rates problems for a man walking have many real-life applications, such as calculating the speed of a moving object, determining the rate of change of an athlete's position during a race, or finding the rate at which a person's distance from a fixed point is changing.

Can related rates be used to solve problems involving a man walking on a curved path?

Yes, related rates can be used to solve problems involving a man walking on a curved path. In these cases, we need to consider the changes in both the man's position and the curvature of the path, and use calculus to find the related rates between these variables.

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