*2.8 Related rate from one cone to another cone

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a related rates problem involving two identical conical containers, one draining into the other. Participants explore how the height of the solution in the upper cone changes over time, the corresponding height in the lower cone, and the rate of change of the surface area of the solution in the lower cone. The discussion includes theoretical reasoning and mathematical derivations.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Post 1 introduces the problem and provides an initial calculation for how fast the level in the upper filter is dropping when the solution level is at 6 cm, using the volume formula for a cone.
  • Post 2 critiques the initial calculation, suggesting a different approach to differentiate the volume with respect to time and solve for the rate of change of height.
  • Post 4 and Post 5 discuss the calculation of the height of the solution in the lower container, with a focus on ensuring the total volume remains consistent between the two containers.
  • Post 6 raises a point about the condition when the volumes are equal, indicating a misunderstanding of the problem's requirements.
  • Post 7 and Post 8 clarify that the surface area of the solution in the lower container is being referenced in part c), leading to further exploration of the area as a function of height.
  • Post 10 and Post 11 confirm the approach to differentiate the surface area with respect to time and discuss the need to compute the rate of change of height.
  • Post 12 provides a detailed calculation for the rate of change of the surface area based on the height of the solution.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correctness of initial calculations, particularly regarding the rate of change of height in the upper cone and the interpretation of the problem's requirements. There is no consensus on the final answers, and multiple approaches are presented.

Contextual Notes

Some calculations depend on the assumptions made about the relationship between the height and radius of the cones, as well as the rates at which the solution is draining. The discussion also highlights potential misunderstandings regarding the interpretation of volume and height relationships in conical shapes.

Who May Find This Useful

Students studying related rates in calculus, particularly those interested in applications involving geometric shapes and fluid dynamics.

karush
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A solution is draining through a conical filter into an identical conical container
(both are $h=12$ and $r=4$ at top of cone)
The solution drips from the upper filter into the lower container at a rate of
$\displaystyle\frac{\pi\ cm^3}{\text{ sec}}$ and $\displaystyle ⁡V_{cone}=\frac{\pi}{3}\cdot r^2\cdot h$

since $\displaystyle r=\frac{h}{3}$ then $\displaystyle ⁡V_{cone}=\frac{\pi}{27}\cdot h^3$

a. How fast is the level in the upper filter dropping when the solution level in the upper filter is at $6 cm$?

When $h=6$ cm then $\displaystyle\frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{\pi}{3} 6^3 \frac{dh}{dt}=72\pi \frac{dh}{dt}$

So $\displaystyle\frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{1}{72\pi}\cdot \frac{\pi\ cm^3}{sec}=.014 \frac{cm^3}{sec}$

b. If the conical filter is initially full,
what is the level of the solution in the lower level when the solution level in the upper filter is a 6cm
and now fast is the level in the lower filter rising?

c. How fast is the surface area of the solution in the lower filter increasing
when the volume in the upper filter equals the volume in the lower container?

not sure that a. is correct, but if it is, need some hints for b. and c.:cool:
 
Last edited:
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For part a) I would state:

$$V=\frac{\pi}{3}hr^2$$

By similarity, we know:

$$r=\frac{h}{3}$$

Hence:

$$V=\frac{\pi}{27}h^3$$

Differentiating with respect to time $t$, we find:

$$\frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{\pi}{9}h^2\frac{dh}{dt}$$

Solving for $$\frac{dh}{dt}$$ we obtain:

$$\frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{9}{\pi h^2}\frac{dV}{dt}$$

Now, we are given:

$$\frac{dV}{dt}=-\pi\frac{\text{cm}^3}{\text{s}},\,h=6\text{ cm}$$

And so:

$$\left. \frac{dh}{dt} \right|_{h=6\text{ cm}}=\frac{9}{\pi \left(6\text{ cm} \right)^2}\left(-\pi\frac{\text{cm}^3}{\text{s}} \right)=-\frac{1}{4}\frac{\text{cm}}{\text{s}}$$

Do you see what you did wrong?

For part b) I would let $$h_L$$ be the depth of solution in the lower container, and use the fact the the amount of solution in both containers is equal to one full container:

$$\frac{\pi}{27}h_L^3+\frac{\pi}{27}6^3=\frac{\pi}{27}12^3$$

Now solve for $h_L$. Then to find $$\frac{dh_L}{dt}$$, use the same method as in part a).

Once you get parts a) and b) understood and worked, we can move on to part c).
 
Yes I see where I went astray. Thnx for the insight I am on cell pH now so wiil do more on this tomorrow I don't see thanks button on the mobile version but will hit it tommorro
 
MarkFL said:
For part b) I would let $$h_L$$ be the depth of solution in the lower container, and use the fact the the amount of solution in both containers is equal to one full container:

$$\frac{\pi}{27}h_L^3+\frac{\pi}{27}6^3=\frac{\pi}{27}12^3$$

Now solve for $h_L$.

I got $$h_L\approx 11.48\text{ cm}/s$$ which seems to large:confused:
 
Last edited:
karush said:
I got $$h_L\approx 11.48\text{ cm}/s$$ which seem to large:confused:

I get:

$$\frac{\pi}{27}h_L^3+\frac{\pi}{27}6^3=\frac{\pi}{27}12^3$$

$$h_L^3+6^3=12^3$$

$$h_L=\sqrt[]{12^3-6^3}=\sqrt[3]{1512}=6\sqrt[3]{7}\approx11.48$$

This would just be cm, not cm/s, as it is a linear measure, not a rate. This may seem counter-intuitive, but the top cone has only $$\left(\frac{1}{2} \right)^3=\frac{1}{8}$$ of the total volume, and so the bottom cone would have the remaining $$\frac{7}{8}$$, hence:

$$h_L=12\sqrt[3]{\frac{7}{8}}=6\sqrt[3]{7}\approx11.48$$

Now, can you proceed with the remainder of part b)?
 
MarkFL said:
can you proceed with the remainder of part b)?

I will try a part of this at a time...

first it asks for what happens when the volumns are equal which doesn't mean h/2.

so a full cone is $\displaystyle V_{full} = \frac{\pi}{27}\cdot 12^{\ 3} = 64\pi cm^{\ 3}$

then $V/2$ is $\displaystyle 32\pi cm^{\ 3}= \frac{\pi}{27}\cdot h^{\ 3}$
so $h_{V/2}\approx 9.52\ $ cm when $V_{\ T}= V_{\ L}$
 
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I think you have jumped ahead to part c), and in part c) I am fairly certain they are referring to the surface area of the solution, i.e., that part which is exposed to the air.
 
So just the area of a circle of surface of the solution at h ...
 
karush said:
So just the area of a circle of surface of the solution at h ...

Yes, that's right. :D

You have correctly found that when the two cones have equal volume the depth of the solution in each is:

$$h_L=h_T=\left(\frac{1}{2} \right)^{\frac{1}{3}}12=6\sqrt[3]{4}\approx9.52\text{ cm}$$

I would use the exact value. So, state the surface area as a function of $h$, then differentiate with respect to time $t$. You will then need to find the time rate of change of the depth to complete the question.
 
  • #10
MarkFL said:
$$h_L=h_T=\left(\frac{1}{2} \right)^{\frac{1}{3}}12=6\sqrt[3]{4}\approx9.52\text{ cm}$$

I would use the exact value. So, state the surface area as a function of $h$, then differentiate with respect to time $t$. You will then need to find the time rate of change of the depth to complete the question.

$S=\pi r^2$ or $\displaystyle\pi\left(\frac{h}{3}\right)^2$

then

$\displaystyle\frac{dS}{dt}=\frac{2\pi h}{9} \frac{dh}{dt}$

is $\displaystyle\frac{dh}{dt}$ still $\displaystyle -\pi\frac{cm^2}{s}$ ?

or use
$\displaystyle \left. \frac{dh}{dt} \right|_{h=6\sqrt[3]{4}\text{ cm}}$

to get the new $\displaystyle\frac{dh}{dt}$
then we just plug in $h=6\sqrt[3]{4}$
 
Last edited:
  • #11
karush said:
$S=\pi r^2$ or $\displaystyle\pi\left(\frac{h}{3}\right)^2$

then

$\displaystyle\frac{dS}{dt}=\frac{2\pi h}{9} \frac{dh}{dt}$

Correct.
karush said:
is $\displaystyle\frac{dh}{dt}$ still $\displaystyle -\pi\frac{cm^2}{s}$ ?

or use
$\displaystyle \left. \frac{dh}{dt} \right|_{h=6\sqrt[3]{4}\text{ cm}}$

to get the new $\displaystyle\frac{dh}{dt}$
then we just plug in $h=6\sqrt[3]{4}$

You want to compute $$\frac{dh}{dt}$$ since it varies with time.
 
  • #12
$A_{circle} = \pi r^2$ or $\pi\left(\frac{h}{3}\right)^2$
$\frac{dA}{dt}=\frac{2h\pi}{9}$
$
\displaystyle
\left. \frac{dh}{dt} \right|_{h=6\sqrt[3]{4}\text{ cm}}
=\frac{9}{\pi \left(6\sqrt[3]{4}\text{ cm} \right)^2}
\left(-\pi\frac{\text{cm}^3}{\text{s}} \right)
=-.5953
\frac{\text{cm}}{\text{s}}
$
then
$
\left. \frac{dA}{dt}\right|_{h=(6\sqrt[3]{4})}
=\frac{2(6\sqrt[3]{4})\pi\text{ cm}}{9} \cdot \frac{ -.5953\text { cm}}{s}
=\frac{11906\pi}{9}\frac{ \text { cm}^2}{s}
$

another stab in the dark...
 
  • #13
karush said:
A solution is draining through a conical filter into an identical conical container
(both are $h=12$ and $r=4$ at top of cone)
The solution drips from the upper filter into the lower container at a rate of
$\displaystyle\frac{\pi\ cm^3}{\text{ sec}}$ and $\displaystyle ⁡V_{cone}=\frac{\pi}{3}\cdot r^2\cdot h$

since $\displaystyle r=\frac{h}{3}$ then $\displaystyle ⁡V_{cone}=\frac{\pi}{27}\cdot h^3$

a. How fast is the level in the upper filter dropping when the solution level in the upper filter is at $6 cm$?

When $h=6$ cm then $\displaystyle\frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{\pi}{3} 6^3 \frac{dh}{dt}=72\pi \frac{dh}{dt}$

So $\displaystyle\frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{1}{72\pi}\cdot \frac{\pi\ cm^3}{sec}=.014 \frac{cm^3}{sec}$

b. If the conical filter is initially full,
what is the level of the solution in the lower level when the solution level in the upper filter is a 6cm
and now fast is the level in the lower filter rising?

c. How fast is the surface area of the solution in the lower filter increasing
when the volume in the upper filter equals the volume in the lower container?

not sure that a. is correct, but if it is, need some hints for b. and c.:cool:

As a student, this is how I would have worked this problem. First, we have two identical conical containers. Let $R$ and $H$ represent the radii and heights respectively of the containers themselves and $r$ and $h$ represent the radius of the surface and depth of the solution respectively at time $t$.

Let $a$ be the ratio of their radii to their heights:

$$a=\frac{R}{H}\implies r=ah$$

Let $0<k$ be the rate at which the solution drains from the upper container into the lower container. Let all variables concerning the upper container have $T$ as subscripts and all variables concerning the lower container have $L$ as subscripts.

Since we are asked questions that involve the time rate of change of the levels of the solution in each container, we should express the volume $V$ as a function of the depth $h$:

$$V=\frac{\pi}{3}r^2h=\frac{\pi a^2}{3}h^3$$

Differentiating with respect to time $t$, we obtain:

$$\frac{dV}{dt}=\pi a^2h^2\frac{dh}{dt}$$

Hence:

$$\frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{1}{\pi (ah)^2}\frac{dV}{dt}$$

This will answer part a). Next, let's develop a formula relating the depths of the two containers. Let $A$ be the total amount of solution present, i.e.:

$$V_T+V_L=A$$

$$h_T^3+h_L^3=\frac{3A}{\pi}$$

Differentiating with respect to time $t$, we find after simplification:

$$h_T^2\frac{dh_T}{dt}+h_L^2\frac{dh_L}{dt}=0$$

From this, we may conclude:

$$\frac{dh_L}{dt}=-\left(\frac{h_T}{h_L} \right)^2\frac{dh_T}{dt}$$

Now, from the relation between the two depths, we obtain:

$$h_L=\sqrt[3]{\frac{3A}{\pi}-h_T^3}$$

Hence:

$$\frac{dh_L}{dt}=-\left(\frac{h_T}{\sqrt[3]{\dfrac{3A}{\pi}-h_T^3}} \right)^2\frac{dh_T}{dt}$$

And using the result $$\frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{1}{\pi (ah)^2}\frac{dV}{dt}$$, we may write:

$$\frac{dh_L}{dt}=-\left(\frac{h_T}{\sqrt[3]{\dfrac{3A}{\pi}-h_T^3}} \right)^2\frac{1}{\pi \left(ah_T \right)^2}\frac{dV_T}{dt}$$

And this can be written as:

$$\frac{dh_L}{dt}=\frac{k}{\pi}\left(\frac{1}{a\sqrt[3]{\dfrac{3A}{\pi}-h_T^3}} \right)^2$$

Now you have the formulas to answer part b). For part c), let $S$ be the surface area. we know:

$$V=\frac{Sh}{3}$$

And $$h=\frac{1}{a}\sqrt{\frac{S}{\pi}}$$

Hence:

$$V(S)=\frac{1}{3a\sqrt{\pi}}S^{\frac{3}{2}}$$

And so:

$$\frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{1}{2a\sqrt{\pi}}\sqrt{S}\frac{dS}{dt}$$

Hence:

$$\frac{dS}{dt}=2ak\sqrt{\frac{\pi}{S}}$$

Now, for part c) we are told:

$$V_T=V_L=\frac{A}{2}$$

Hence:

$$\frac{A}{2}=\frac{1}{3a\sqrt{\pi}}S^{\frac{3}{2}}$$

$$S=\left(\frac{3aA\sqrt{\pi}}{2} \right)^{\frac{2}{3}}$$

And thus we may write:

$$\frac{dS}{dt}=2ak\sqrt{\frac{\pi}{\left(\dfrac{3aA \sqrt{\pi}}{2} \right)^{ \frac{2}{3}}}}=2\sqrt[3]{\frac{2\sqrt{\pi}a^2}{3A}}$$

This will answer part c). :D
 
  • #14
thanks for help... just have to move on to another topic
learned much on this one tho.
 

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