Differentiate both sides with respect to t

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of differentiation with respect to a variable, specifically in the context of calculus. The original poster expresses confusion about differentiating both sides of an equation involving volume and height, particularly regarding the application of the Chain Rule and the interpretation of constants during differentiation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the differentiation of a volume equation with respect to time, questioning the meaning of terms like d/dx and how to apply the Chain Rule. There are attempts to clarify the process of differentiating a polynomial expression and the implications of constants in differentiation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on using the Chain Rule and the properties of derivatives, while others express ongoing confusion about the differentiation process and its terminology. There is recognition of the need for clearer understanding of the underlying concepts, but no explicit consensus has been reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of understanding regarding the fundamental principles of differentiation, and some express concern about the clarity of the steps involved in the differentiation process. The original poster indicates a struggle with the concept despite having progressed through calculus material.

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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