Differentiate both sides with respect to t

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the concept of differentiating both sides of an equation with respect to a variable, specifically 't', in the context of calculus. The equation in question is the volume of a cone, represented as V = (π/12)h³. The Chain Rule is essential for differentiating this equation, leading to the expression dV/dt = (π/4)h²(dh/dt). Participants clarify that to isolate dh/dt, one must perform algebraic rearrangement, resulting in dh/dt = (dV/dt)(4/(πh²)). Understanding these principles is crucial for mastering calculus concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts, including differentiation and the Chain Rule.
  • Familiarity with polynomial expressions and their derivatives.
  • Knowledge of algebraic manipulation techniques.
  • Basic understanding of the relationship between volume and height in geometric shapes.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the Chain Rule in calculus to understand its application in differentiation.
  • Practice differentiating polynomial functions to reinforce understanding of derivative properties.
  • Explore algebraic rearrangement techniques to isolate variables in equations.
  • Study the geometric interpretation of volume and its relationship with height in cones and cylinders.
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Students struggling with calculus concepts, particularly those learning differentiation techniques, as well as educators seeking to clarify the Chain Rule and its applications in real-world problems.

bobsmith76
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Homework Statement



Screenshot2012-01-28at83636AM.png

The Attempt at a Solution



I really need some help here. I've been able to get through about 50 pages of calculus without really understanding what it means to differentiate both sides with respect to t, now I've run out of space to hide and I can't succeed any more without understanding this concept. I don't see why here

33.png


differentiating both sides with respect to t forces me to take the inverse of (pi(h^2))/4. any help would be really appreciated.

If you want me to differentiate (pi(h^2))/4, then to me is

simply h, because pi as a number turns to zero, 4 turns to zero and h squared turns to h.
 
Last edited:
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This is what you have:

<br /> V=\frac{\pi}{12} \cdot h^{3}<br />

The constant-multiple rule says that if you have a constant multiplying a variable, then the derivative is the same constant times the derivative of the variable. This is:

<br /> \frac{d}{dx} c\cdot x = c\cdot \frac{d}{dx}x<br /> <br />

Your constant here is simply \frac{\pi}{12}

Can you try it now? You should really review the properties of derivatives.
 
I still can't figure it out because I don't know what d/dx refers to, nor what x refers to.

I understand how to get from

(pi/12)h^3 to (pi/4)h^2

I do not understand how to get from

(pi/4)h^2 to 4/((pi)h^2)
 
bobsmith76 said:

Homework Statement



Screenshot2012-01-28at83636AM.png

The Attempt at a Solution



I really need some help here. I've been able to get through about 50 pages of calculus without really understanding what it means to differentiate both sides with respect to t, now I've run out of space to hide and I can't succeed any more without understanding this concept. I don't see why here

33.png


differentiating both sides with respect to t forces me to take the inverse of (pi(h^2))/4. any help would be really appreciated.

If you want me to differentiate (pi(h^2))/4, then to me is

simply h, because pi as a number turns to zero, 4 turns to zero and h squared turns to h.

They're skimming over steps.

They start with this:

V = \frac{\pi}{12}h^3

Then they differentiate both sides wrt t. But the RHS is in terms of h, not t. So you have to use Chain Rule to differentiate it.

\frac{dV}{dt} = (\frac{dV}{dh})(\frac{dh}{dt})

You should already know how to differentiate a simple polynomial expression, so:

\frac{dV}{dh} = \frac{\pi}{12}(3h^2) = \frac{\pi}{4}h^2

Hence,

\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{\pi}{4}h^2{\frac{dh}{dt}}

And the next part is only an algebraic rearrangement.

\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{4}{{\pi}h^2}\frac{dV}{dt}

Hope it's clear now. :smile:
 
Last edited:
I still think you need to freshen up your properties of derivatives. If you don't understand what d/dx means then you're in trouble. But I'll take your word that you understand how to take the derivative of \frac{\pi}{12}h^{3}
For the second line, we have:
<br /> \frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{\pi}{4}h^{2}\frac{dh}{dt}<br />
What they did is just solve for \frac{dh}{dt}
So we divide both sides by \frac{\pi}{4}h^{2} to get:

<br /> \frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{dV}{dt}\frac{4}{\pi}h^{2}<br />

Does this make sense to you? All that really happened is that to divide both sides by \frac{\pi}{4}h^{2}
we just multiply by the reciprocal:
\frac{4}{\pi * h^{2}}
 
ok, it looks like in order to get dh/dt by itself I just multiply both sides of the equation by the inverse. I didn't know that that's what differentiating both sides with respect to t meant, but now I do, thanks.
 
bobsmith76 said:
ok, it looks like in order to get dh/dt by itself I just multiply both sides of the equation by the inverse. I didn't know that that's what differentiating both sides with respect to t meant, but now I do, thanks.

NO!

That's just algebraic rearrangement. Differentiation is something else entirely. Did you see and understand my post?
 

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