Find a relation between dx/dt and dy/dt

  • Thread starter Thread starter physicsernaw
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Relation
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the relationship between the rates of change of x and y coordinates for a particle moving counterclockwise around the ellipse defined by the equation 9x² + 16y² = 25. The derived relation is dx/dt = (-32y * dy/dt) / 18x. It is established that dx/dt is positive in the third and fourth quadrants, where x is increasing. Additionally, when the particle passes the point (-1,1) with dy/dt at 6 m/s, the rate of change of x is calculated to be -32/3 m/s, indicating a decrease in x.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of implicit differentiation
  • Familiarity with the properties of ellipses
  • Knowledge of rates of change in calculus
  • Ability to interpret graphical representations of functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study implicit differentiation techniques in calculus
  • Explore the geometric properties of ellipses
  • Learn about parametric equations and their applications
  • Investigate the concept of related rates in calculus problems
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those focusing on related rates and implicit differentiation, as well as educators looking for examples of applying these concepts to real-world scenarios.

physicsernaw
Messages
41
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


A particle moves counterclockwise around the ellipse with equation 9x^2 + 16y^2 = 25.

a). In which of the four quadrants in dx/dt > 0? Explain.
b). Find a relation between dx/dt and dy/dt.
c). At what rate is the x-coordinate changing when the particle passes the point (-1,1) if its y-coordinate is increasing at a rate of 6 m/s?
d). Find dy/dt when the particle is at the top and bottom of the ellipse.

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution



a). I don't see how I could solve this with differentiation so I drew a picture of the ellipse. If the particle is traveling counter-clockwise, x will be increasing over time in quadrants 3 and 4.

b). Implicitly differentiating for x and y both as functions of t I get
dx/dt = (-32y*dy/dt)/18x

c). Plugging in the values for the above formula...
dx/dt = -32*6/18 = -32/3

d). If the particle is at the top and bottom of the ellipse, then x is zero, and thus dy/dt is zero because

dy/dt = (-18x*dx/dt)/32y = 0 @ x = 0Just checking if I did this correctly particularly a) as I don't see how I can "explicitly" show that dx/dt > 0 in quadrants 3 and 4 outside of explaining why in English.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
physicsernaw said:

Homework Statement


A particle moves counterclockwise around the ellipse with equation 9x^2 + 16y^2 = 25.

a). In which of the four quadrants in dx/dt > 0? Explain.
b). Find a relation between dx/dt and dy/dt.
c). At what rate is the x-coordinate changing when the particle passes the point (-1,1) if its y-coordinate is increasing at a rate of 6 m/s?
d). Find dy/dt when the particle is at the top and bottom of the ellipse.

Homework Equations


None

The Attempt at a Solution



a). I don't see how I could solve this with differentiation so I drew a picture of the ellipse. If the particle is traveling counter-clockwise, x will be increasing over time in quadrants 3 and 4.

b). Implicitly differentiating for x and y both as functions of t I get
dx/dt = (-32y*dy/dt)/18x

c). Plugging in the values for the above formula...
dx/dt = -32*6/18 = -32/3

d). If the particle is at the top and bottom of the ellipse, then x is zero, and thus dy/dt is zero because

dy/dt = (-18x*dx/dt)/32y = 0 @ x = 0Just checking if I did this correctly particularly a) as I don't see how I can "explicitly" show that dx/dt > 0 in quadrants 3 and 4 outside of explaining why in English.

Since the ellipse was not given parametrically (i.e., as x = f(t) and y = g(t) for some functions f and g), I believe that you did what you were supposed to do for part a. IOW, look at the graph and determine visually that dx/dt > 0 where x is increasing.

The only thing you should add are some units in part c. They're telling you the units at which y is changing, so you should report the same units when you say how x is changing. Also, it's probably a good idea to simplify the fraction.
 
Last edited:
Mark44 said:
Since the ellipse was not given parametrically (i.e., as x = f(t) and y = g(t) for some functions f and g), I believe that you did what you were supposed to do for part a. IOW, look at the graph and determine visually that dx/dt > 0 where x is increasing.

The only thing you should add are some units in part c. They're telling you the units at which y is changing, so you should report the same units when you say how x is changing. Also, it's probably a good idea to simplify the fraction.

Will do, thanks.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
What you can say for part a, is by direct observation, x is increasing in the 3rd and 4th quadrants.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
48
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K