Related rates, clarification sought

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on solving a related rates problem involving the melting of a snowball, where the surface area decreases at a rate of 1 cm²/min. The user initially misapplies the differentiation of the area formula, resulting in a volume rate instead of the desired diameter rate. The correct relationship is established as \(\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{1}{20 \text{ cm/min}}\) when the diameter is 10 cm. The clarification emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying the derivatives in related rates problems.

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Given, "if a snowball melts so that its surface area decreases at a rate of 1 cm^2/min, find the rate at which the diameter decreases when the diameter is 10 cm."

[tex]\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{dD}{dA} \frac{dA}{dt}[/tex] were D is my diameter, A is (surface) area and t is time.

I relate D to A by, [tex]A = 4pi(\frac{D}{2})^2 = piD^2; A' = 2piD[/tex] and then solve,

[tex]\frac{dD}{dt} = 2piD * -1 cm^2/min =[/tex]
[tex]2pi(10cm) * -1cm^2/min = -20 cm^3/min[/tex]

I know I am wrong because I got volume, not length. When I solve for variables, like A, and differentiate, do i always place result where ever A shows up in the differentiation equation? In this case, dD/dA, so I should write 1/(2piD)?

The book give the answer as [tex]\frac{1}{20 cm/min}[/tex]
 
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You solved for dA/dD

You want dD/dA
 
yeah I was suspecting that. thanks.
 

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