Related Rates - Water poured in a bowl

In summary, the conversation discusses the volume of a cap cut from a spherical shell and the shape of a bowl cut from a spherical shell. The volume of the bowl is given by V = {\textstyle{1 \over 3}}\pi x^2 (3a - x). When water is poured into the bowl, the depth of the water can be represented by dx/dt, and it is shown that 24\frac{{dx}}{{dt}} = \frac{{a^3 }}{{x(2a - x)}}. Using this equation, it is possible to show that the bowl will take 5 seconds to fill up if it is initially empty.
  • #1
danago
Gold Member
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The volume of a cap, of depth h cm, cut from a sphere of radius a cm (a>h) is given by [tex]V = {\textstyle{1 \over 3}}\pi h^2 (3a - h)[/tex]
. A bowl is in the shape of a cap of depth a/2 cm cut from a spherical shell of radius a cm. Water is being poured into the bowl at a constant rate of [tex]\frac{{\pi a^3 }}{{24}}[/tex]
. Show that, when the depth of the water in the bowl is x cm, [tex]24\frac{{dx}}{{dt}} = \frac{{a^3 }}{{x(2a - x)}}[/tex]
. Hence show that, if the bowl is initially empty, it will take 5 seconds to fill up.


I managed to do the first part of it:
[tex]
\begin{array}{c}
V = {\textstyle{1 \over 3}}\pi x^2 (3a - x) \\
= \pi ax^2 - {\textstyle{1 \over 3}}\pi x^3 \\
\frac{{dV}}{{dt}} = 2\pi ax\frac{{dx}}{{dt}} - \pi x^2 \frac{{dx}}{{dt}} \\
= \frac{{dx}}{{dt}}(2\pi ax - \pi x^2 ) \\
\frac{{dx}}{{dt}} = \frac{{\frac{{dV}}{{dt}}}}{{(2\pi ax - \pi x^2 )}} \\
= \frac{{\pi a^3 }}{{24(2\pi ax - \pi x^2 )}} \\
= \frac{{a^3 }}{{24(2ax - x^2 )}} \\
24\frac{{dx}}{{dt}} = \frac{{a^3 }}{{x(2a - x)}} \\
\end{array}
[/tex]

But with the second part, it says "Hence, show that if the bowl...". What I am not getting is how to use the part above to show that it takes 5 seconds?

I managed to do it like this: (i think it is correct, anyway)


The maximum volume the bowl can hold is given by
[tex]
\begin{array}{c}

V = {\textstyle{1 \over 3}}\pi h^2 (3a - h) \\
= {\textstyle{1 \over 3}}\pi ({\textstyle{a \over 2}})^2 (3a - {\textstyle{a \over 2}}) \\
= \frac{{\pi a^2 (3a - 0.5a)}}{{12}} \\
= \frac{{5\pi a^3 }}{{24}} \\
[/tex]

The bowl is full at time T
[tex]
\begin{array}{l}
\int_0^T {\frac{{\pi a^3 }}{{24}}} dt = \frac{{5\pi a^3 }}{{24}} \\
\left[ {\frac{{\pi a^3 }}{{24}}t} \right]_0^T = \frac{{5\pi a^3 }}{{24}} \\
\frac{{\pi a^3 }}{{24}}T = \frac{{5\pi a^3 }}{{24}} \\
T = 5 \\
\end{array}
[/tex]


But i don't know how to do it using the fact that [tex]24\frac{{dx}}{{dt}} = \frac{{a^3 }}{{x(2a - x)}}[/tex].

Any help greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dan.
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
[tex]24\frac{{dx}}{{dt}} = \frac{{a^3 }}{{x(2a - x)}}[/tex]

after some simple manipulation, this will become:

[tex] \frac{24x(2a-x)}{a^3} dx = dt [/tex]

then integrate over both size...

[tex] \int_0^{a/2}\frac{24x(2a-x)}{a^3} dx = \int_0^Tdt [/tex]

solve for T and you will get the desired answer...
 
  • #3
Ah ok, thanks for that :smile:
 

1. What is a related rate problem?

A related rate problem is a type of calculus problem that involves finding the rate at which one quantity is changing with respect to another related quantity. In the case of water poured in a bowl, the related quantities are the volume of water in the bowl and the height of the water in the bowl.

2. How is the volume of water related to the height of the water in the bowl?

The volume of water in the bowl is directly related to the height of the water in the bowl. As the height of the water increases, the volume of water also increases. This relationship can be represented by the formula V = πr^2h, where V is the volume, r is the radius of the bowl, and h is the height of the water.

3. What is the process for solving a related rate problem?

The process for solving a related rate problem involves identifying the related quantities, setting up an equation that relates those quantities, differentiating the equation with respect to time, plugging in known values, and solving for the unknown rate. In the case of water poured in a bowl, this would involve differentiating the formula V = πr^2h with respect to time, plugging in the known rate of change of the height of the water, and solving for the unknown rate of change of the volume of water.

4. What are some real-life applications of related rate problems?

Related rate problems can be used to solve a variety of real-life problems, such as determining the speed of a moving object, calculating the rate of change of a chemical reaction, or finding the rate at which the size of a balloon changes as it is filled with air. In the case of water poured in a bowl, related rate problems can be used to calculate the rate of change of the volume of water as it is poured into the bowl.

5. How do related rate problems relate to the concept of derivatives?

Related rate problems are a practical application of the concept of derivatives in calculus. The process of solving a related rate problem involves taking the derivative of an equation with respect to time, which represents the instantaneous rate of change of one quantity with respect to another. This allows us to find the rate of change of one quantity when the rate of change of another quantity is known.

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