Find a relation between dx/dt and dy/dt

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle moving counterclockwise around an ellipse defined by the equation 9x^2 + 16y^2 = 25. Participants are exploring the relationship between the rates of change of the x and y coordinates as the particle moves along the ellipse.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the quadrants where dx/dt is positive, with some suggesting that it can be determined visually from the graph of the ellipse. The original poster attempts to derive a relation between dx/dt and dy/dt through implicit differentiation, leading to the expression dx/dt = (-32y*dy/dt)/18x. There are questions about how to explicitly show the conditions for dx/dt > 0 in certain quadrants.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, providing insights and suggestions for clarification. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the quadrants and the need for units in the calculations. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of the derived expressions.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the ellipse not being given parametrically, which influences the approach to the problem. Additionally, participants note the importance of visualizing the graph to understand the behavior of the particle in different quadrants.

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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.
 
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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.
 

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