MHB Derivation Application in Differential Calculus, verification question problem.

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The discussion revolves around verifying the solution to a problem involving implicit differentiation for a cylindrical tank draining water. The initial calculation suggests that the height change rate, dh/dt, is 1/2 pi ft/min, but participants emphasize the need to account for the negative sign due to the tank's volume decreasing at a rate of -200 ft^3/min. Correctly applying the formula and isolating dh/dt leads to the conclusion that dh/dt should actually be -1/2 pi ft/min. Additionally, there are reminders to check units to ensure the final answer is dimensionally consistent. The conversation highlights the importance of careful application of differentiation in related rates problems.
jamescv31
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Greetings everyone in MHB. :)

Well I've just created a thread to just verify if my answer is correct. On a simple problem that using implicit differentiation.

A cylindrical tank of radius 10 ft is having drained with water at the rate of 200 f^3/ min. How fast is the height of water changed?

Find dh/ dt

My solution goes here:

The formula used is V= (\pi) (r^2) (h)

then substitute the values

200 ft^3/min =pi (100ft) (dh/dt)

therefore my answer is 1/2 pi ft^3/min

Can anyone check this if its a right solution made?

Thanks
 
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As you correctly surmised, we have:

$$\d{V}{t}=\pi r^2\d{h}{t}$$

The cylindrical tank is being drained, so it's volume is decreasing! $-200 \frac{f^3}{min}$, you have to remember the negative.

Plugging what we know:

$$-200=100\pi \d{h}{t}$$

How can we isolate for $\d{h}{t}$?
 
Rido12 said:
As you correctly surmised, we have:

$$\d{V}{t}=\pi r^2\d{h}{t}$$

The cylindrical tank is being drained, so it's volume is decreasing! $-200 \frac{f^3}{min}$, you have to remember the negative.

Plugging what we know:

$$-200=100\pi \d{h}{t}$$

How can we isolate for $\d{h}{t}$?

by using implicit difference where the -200ft/min is the numerator and the 100 ft is th denominator hence the answer is -1/2 pi ft ^ 3min.
 
Last edited:
jamescv31 said:
by using implicit difference where the -200ft/min is the numerator and the 100 ft is th denominator hence the answer is -1/2 pi ft ^ 3min.

$$\frac{-200}{100\pi}=\text{what again?}.$$

Also check your units. The $100\pi$ isn't just $100\pi$. It has some units attached to it, which means your final answer might have different units. What units would make sense?
 
its -2 pi ft^3min a typo error. But the implicit difference where the placing of values for numerator and denominator is correct right?
 

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