Calculating Related Rates: Cone Fluid Flow

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the rate of change of the height of fluid in a cone as fluid flows out at a specified rate. The relationship between the height and radius of the cone is given, with the height being three times the radius.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the volume formula for a cone and how to relate the height and radius. There are attempts to convert the flow rate from cubic feet per minute to cubic inches per minute. Questions arise about the correctness of the calculations and assumptions made in the problem setup.

Discussion Status

Some participants are exploring the conversion of units and checking their algebra, while others are offering suggestions for the conversion process. There is acknowledgment of potential errors in calculations, but no consensus on a resolution has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the need to convert units from cubic feet to cubic inches, and there is mention of the original poster's confusion regarding the algebra involved in the calculations.

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Homework Statement


Fluid flows out of a cone at 3 cu ft/min. If the height of the cone is three times the radius how fast is the height of the fluid decreasing when the fluid is 6 inches deep in the middle?



The Attempt at a Solution


1. V= ( (pi)(r^2)(h) ) / 3

2. r = h/3 thus... V = ( (pi)(h^3) ) / 27

(Set up the problem) ...
3. dv/dt = (dv/dh)(dh/dt)

4. dv/dh = ( (pi)(h^2) ) / 9
5. dv/dt = 3 cu ft/min.
6.h = 6
7.(plug into problem from line 3.)

8. 3cu ft/min = ( ( (pi)(6^2) ) / 9 )(dh/dt)
9.Final answer: dh/dt = (3cu ft/min )/( ( (pi)(6^2) ) / 9 )

***in the back of the book it says... dh/dt = 1296/(pi) in/min***
Im assuming that I have to convert 3cu ft/min somehow? and I also did something else wrong... can some one please help me...
thank you.
 
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You have [tex]3 \frac{ft^3}{min}[/tex]. How can you convert that to [tex]x \frac{in^3}{min}[/tex]?
 
idk, but i did something wrong.. does anyone know
 
Try multiplying it by [tex]\frac{12^3}{1} \frac{in^3}{ft^3}[/tex]. You see why that would work, right?

Note: since 12^3 in^3 = 1 ft^3, you're multiplying by 1, which is allowed.
 
Yeah, I tryed that but the answer comes out to I think 455... not the answer the book gives... Ill try again, maybe my algebra went wrong somewhere.
 
Miike012 said:
Yeah, I tryed that but the answer comes out to I think 455... not the answer the book gives... Ill try again, maybe my algebra went wrong somewhere.

Yeah, because I get the right answer through your algebra. Make sure you simplify as much as possible, though...
 
Char. Limit said:
How can you convert that to [tex]x \frac{in^3}{min}[/tex]?
Miike012 said:
idk...
That would be your problem right there.
 
Thank you, I see what I did wrong... thanks for the help.
 

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