Water Tank Rate of Change Problem: Find the Rate at Which Water Level is Rising

In summary, we are given the dimensions of a circular cone-shaped water tank and the rate at which water is being pumped into the tank. Using the equations for the volume and surface area of a cone, we can find the rate at which the water level is rising when the water is 2 m deep. To do this, we must relate the variables of radius and height using similar triangles, and then use the relationship to find the derivative of the height with respect to time.
  • #1
Incog
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Homework Statement



A water tank is built in the shape of a circular cone with a height of 6 m and a diameter of 10 m at the top. Water is being pumped into the tank at a rate of 2m[tex]^{3}[/tex]
per minute. Find the rate at which the water level is rising when the water is 2 m deep.

Homework Equations



Volume of a cone - [tex]\frac{1}{3}[/tex] [tex]\Pi[/tex] r[tex]^{2}[/tex] h

Surface area of a cone - [tex]\Pi[/tex] r s + [tex]\Pi[/tex] r[tex]^{2}[/tex]

The Attempt at a Solution



[tex]\frac{dV}{dt}[/tex] = 2m[tex]^{3}[/tex]/min

I think I have to find [tex]\frac{dh}{dt}[/tex] but other than that I'm completely lost.
 
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  • #2
what is h as a function of v?
 
  • #3
I'm not sure I understand.
 
  • #4
Can you relate r and h with the knowledge that the tank is a cone?
 
  • #5
What both ice109 and TMM are trying to say is that you have two variables since

[tex]V = \frac{1}{3}{\pi}r^2h[/tex]

Both the radius and height are effecting the volume. So before you can find dh/dt you need to find a way to relate r in terms of h.
 
  • #6
Draw a triangle, vertex at the bottom, base horizontal, with height 6 and base length 10, representing the water tank. Draw a horizontal line representing the water line in the tank, with length 2r (since the diameter is twice the radius) and height above the vertex h. Use "similar triangles" to connect h and r.
 

FAQ: Water Tank Rate of Change Problem: Find the Rate at Which Water Level is Rising

What is a rate of change problem?

A rate of change problem is a type of mathematical problem that involves finding the relationship between an independent variable and a dependent variable. The rate of change represents how much the dependent variable changes in relation to a change in the independent variable.

What is the formula for calculating rate of change?

The formula for calculating rate of change is (change in y) / (change in x), where y represents the dependent variable and x represents the independent variable. This formula is also known as the slope formula.

How do you interpret the rate of change?

The rate of change can be interpreted as the steepness of a line or the direction and magnitude of a relationship between two variables. A positive rate of change indicates an increase in the dependent variable with an increase in the independent variable, while a negative rate of change indicates a decrease in the dependent variable with an increase in the independent variable.

What are some real-world applications of rate of change?

Rate of change is used in various fields such as physics, economics, and engineering to understand and predict the behavior of systems. It is also used in calculating growth rates, interest rates, and average speed in everyday situations.

How can rate of change be graphically represented?

Rate of change can be graphically represented as a slope on a line graph, where the steepness of the line represents the rate of change. It can also be represented as a curve on a scatter plot, where the shape of the curve indicates the direction and strength of the relationship between two variables.

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