Derivatives and rate of change

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1. A ladder 10 ft long rests against a vertical wall. Let θ be the angle between the top of the ladder and the wall and let x be the distance from the bottom of the ladder to the wall. If the
bottom of the ladder slides away from the wall, how fast does x change with respect to θ when θ=[itex]\frac{∏}{3}[/itex]?



Homework Equations



The derivative rules.

The Attempt at a Solution



Using trig, I know the base of the triangle = 10sinθ)^2.

Using the Pythagorean Theorem, I get the equation

x^2=100-100sin^2θ

x=√100(1-sin^2θ)

What is my next step?
 
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Well, firstly you have your sines and cosines mixed up, the expression for [itex]x[/itex] should be,

[itex]x = 10\sin\theta[/itex].

Now that you have a functional relation between [itex]x[/itex] and [itex]\theta[/itex], what would the derivative of [itex]x[/itex] tell you?
 
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