Solving a Problem with Relative Change: A 5% Increase in Radius

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the relationship between the radius of a blood vessel and the flow of blood, described by the equation F = kR^4. The original poster seeks to understand how a 5% increase in radius affects the flow and what is meant by "relative change."

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the concept of relative change, with some suggesting it refers to percentage change. Others provide definitions and explore how to express changes in terms of the original values. There are attempts to derive the relationship between changes in F and R using differentiation and algebraic manipulation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the mathematical relationships involved, while others express confusion regarding the application of these concepts. There is no explicit consensus on the best approach to solve the problem, and multiple interpretations are being explored.

Contextual Notes

The original poster mentions a lack of clarity in their textbook regarding the term "relative change," which adds to the complexity of the discussion. Additionally, there are questions about the validity of certain mathematical operations in the context of the problem.

powp
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Hello All

I have this problem that I have no idea how to do.

F = flux or the volume of blood to flow past a point

R = radius

F=kR^4

Show that the relative change in F is about four times the relative change in R. How will a 5% increase in radius affect the flow of Blood??

How in the world do I do this?? What is Relative Change?? My textbook does not have this term

I think I need to have 2 equations F = kR^4 and R = (F/k)^(1/4). Not sure what to do.

Please help.
 
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I think by relative change they only mean percentage change, or absolute change divided by the level: rel. change (up to time t) = [x(t) - x(0)]/x(0) = x(t)/x(0) - 1.
 
"Relative change" is the change "relative to" the original value: i.e. the change divided by the orginal amount. If we use [tex]\Delta R[/tex] and [tex]\Delta F[/tex] to mean the changes in R and F respectively, then their "relative changes" are [tex]\frac{\Delta R}{R}[/tex] and [tex]\frac{\Delta F}{F}[/tex].
I don't know how you should do this because I don't know what level you are at and what "mechanisms" you have available to you.

Basic but harder way: Since you have F= kR4, if "dR" is the relative change in R, then [tex]dR= \frac{\Delta R}{R}[/tex] so the actual change is [tex]\Delta R= Rdr[/tex] and the new value for R (after the change) is R+ Rdr= R(1+dr). Then the new value for F is k(R(1+dr))4= kR4(1+ dr)4. Multiplying out (1+ dr)4= 1+ 4dr+ 6(dr)2+ 4(dr)3+ (dr)4 so the new value of F is kR4(1+ 4dr+ 6(dr)2+ 4(dr)3+ (dr)4). Subtracting of the old value, kR4 tells us that the actual change in F was kR4(4dr+ 6(dr)2+ 4(dr)3+ (dr)4) (we just removed that "1" inside the parentheses).
The relative change then is kR4(4dr+ 6(dr)2+ 4(dr)3+ (dr)4) divided by kR4 which is 4dr+ 6(dr)2+ 4(dr)3+ (dr)4. If "dr" is relatively small, then those powers of dr will be even smaller- the largest term will be 4dr: that is, "about four times the relative change in R."

More sophisticated and easier way. Differentiate F= kR4 with respect to time to get [tex]\frac{dF}{dt}= 4kR^3\frac{dR}{dt}[/tex]. dividing that by F= kR4, [tex]\frac{\frac{dF}{dt}}{F}= 4\frac{\frac{dR}{dt}}{R}[/tex] which says exactly that "the relative (rate of) change in F is equal to the relative (rate of) change in R".
 
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I think this is the way we are expected to do it.

HallsofIvyMore sophisticated and easier way. Differentiate F= kR[sup said:
4[/sup] with respect to time to get [tex]\frac{dF}{dt}= 4kR^3\frac{dR}{dt}[/tex]. dividing that by F= kR4, [tex]\frac{\frac{dF}{dt}}{F}= 4\frac{\frac{dR}{dt}}{R}[/tex] which says exactly that "the relative (rate of) change in F is equal to the relative (rate of) change in R".

This makes sense except for the one thing. This may be a silly question but can you just divide a function by another function without doing the same to both sides?

It seems like you are do the following

A = 2 + B is divided by C = D + 2 and you do the following

A 2 + B
- = ------
C D + 2

Don't you need to divide both sides by the same value? Or is it since C does equal D + 2 this is allowed?

Thanks for your help
 
Can sombody help with this part of the previous question

How will a 5% increase in radius affect the flow of Blood??

Please Please Pretty Please!
 
Read HallsOfIvy's post C-A-R-E-F-U-L-L-Y.
 
Thanks.

I have reread it and still have no clue. Can anybody give me a hint??

Thanks
 

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