Question

this is a relate rates problem in calculus


in a right triangle, the hypotenuse is 5 and the vertical side is x and the angle is theta.

so if theta increases at a constant rate of 3 radians per minute, at what rate is x increasing in units per minute when x equals 3 units?

d(theta)/dt=3 rad/min

so if you draw the triangle, you get:

sin(theta)=x/5::::theta=u
take derivative:
cos(u(du/dt)=(1/5)dx/dt

i solve for dx/dt and i'm assuming the theta is 45 degrees because it's right triange. but the problem asks for when x=3 but the x is gone so what do i do?

no!!!

you had x = 5sin(theta), right?

now you have to differentiate that with respect to t, because it is a rate

dx/dt = 5cos(theta) d(theta)/dt

only now do you consider the case when x=3
when x=3, r=5, then the third side =4
and cos(theta)= 4/5
also you were given that d(theta)/dt = 3 rad/min

so.....

dx/dt = 5(4/5)(3) units/min
=15 units/min


5 x (4/5) x 3 = 12

Answer 1

Thank you!!