Differentials and Rates of Change; Related Rates

In summary, the conversation discusses finding the rate of change of the radius in a given equation involving the product rule and implicit differentiation. The volume of a cylinder, given by V=pi(r^2)(h), is used in the equation dV/dt=2pi r(dr/dt)(dh/dt). After plugging in the given values of r=5, h=8, and dh/dt=-2/5, the solution is simplified to 1=8(dr/dt), resulting in a final answer of 1/8 for the rate of change of the radius, dr/dt.
  • #1
Qube
Gold Member
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Homework Statement



http://i4.minus.com/jboxzSadIJVVoi.jpg

Homework Equations



Product rule; implicit differentiation.

Volume of cylinder, V = pi(r^2)(h)

The Attempt at a Solution



dV/dt = 0 = pi[2r(dr/dt)(h) + (dh/dt)(r^2)]

Solve the equation after plugging in r = 5; h = 8, and dh/dt = -2/5. Solve for dr/dt.

0 = 80pi(dr/dt) - 10pi

1 = 8(dr/dt)

dr/dt = 1/8
 
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  • #2
You are not trying to find [itex] \frac{dr}{dt} [/itex]. Each part of the question wants you to find [itex] \frac{dV}{dt} [/itex] for a given rate at which the radius is changing (think about what represents the rate of change of the radius).
 
  • #3
elvishatcher said:
You are not trying to find [itex] \frac{dr}{dt} [/itex]. Each part of the question wants you to find [itex] \frac{dV}{dt} [/itex] for a given rate at which the radius is changing (think about what represents the rate of change of the radius).

It says to find the rate of change of the radius in the first part of the question.

I think you just have to have it like this: [itex]\frac{dV}{dt}=2\pi r\frac{dr}{dt}\frac{dh}{dt}[/itex], then just plug in values.

Edit: Oh forgot to add, the V is constant, so what does that mean the value of dV/dt is?
 
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  • #4
elvishatcher said:
You are not trying to find [itex] \frac{dr}{dt} [/itex]. Each part of the question wants you to find [itex] \frac{dV}{dt} [/itex] for a given rate at which the radius is changing (think about what represents the rate of change of the radius).
It's multiple choice. V is given as constant, dh/dt is a given value, so the obvious approach is to calculate dr/dt and see which choice matches. Of course, you could run it the other way: for each choice compute dV/dt and see which one gives 0, but that probably takes longer on average.
iRaid said:
the dV/dt is constant, so what does that mean the value of it is?
You mean V is constant, so what value is dV/dt, right?
 
  • #5
haruspex said:
It's multiple choice. V is given as constant, dh/dt is a given value, so the obvious approach is to calculate dr/dt and see which choice matches. Of course, you could run it the other way: for each choice compute dV/dt and see which one gives 0, but that probably takes longer on average.

You mean V is constant, so what value is dV/dt, right?

Yes, my mistake.
 
  • #6
Is 1/8 the correct answer? I've redone the work again below:
 
  • #7
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  • #8
Qube said:
Is 1/8 the correct answer? I've redone the work again below:

Yes.
 

FAQ: Differentials and Rates of Change; Related Rates

1. What are differentials and rates of change?

Differentials and rates of change are mathematical concepts used to describe the relationship between two variables. Differentials refer to the small changes in a variable, while rates of change refer to the speed at which a variable is changing with respect to another variable.

2. How are differentials and rates of change related?

Differentials and rates of change are related in that they both describe the change in a variable with respect to another variable. Differentials are used to calculate the instantaneous rate of change, while rates of change are used to describe the average rate of change over a given interval.

3. What is the formula for calculating differentials?

The formula for calculating differentials is dy = f'(x)dx, where dy is the differential of the dependent variable y, f'(x) is the derivative of the function f(x), and dx is the differential of the independent variable x.

4. How are related rates problems solved?

Related rates problems are solved by setting up an equation that relates the changing variables, taking the derivative of the equation with respect to time, and then solving for the desired rate of change using the given information.

5. What real-life applications use differentials and related rates?

Differentials and related rates are used in a variety of fields, including physics, engineering, economics, and biology. Some real-life applications include determining the speed of a moving object, calculating the rate of change of population growth, and predicting the flow rate of a liquid in a pipe.

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