How do related rates apply to circles, rectangles, and spheres?

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The discussion focuses on applying related rates to various geometric shapes, including circles, rectangles, and spheres. The first question confirms the rate of change of a circle's circumference given a growing radius, yielding a result of 14π. Clarification is sought on the implications of the second question regarding the length of rope needed for a 7-footer to walk under the Earth’s circumference. The third question involves finding the rate of change of a rectangle's side length, with participants noting the need for additional data to solve it accurately. Lastly, the fourth question correctly calculates the rate of change of a spherical balloon's radius, confirming the solution as 5.5/(64π).
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Hello all

Just had questions on related rates:

1. The radius of a circle is growing by \frac{dr}{dt} = 7. How fast is the circumference growing? Ok so C = 2\pi r and \frac{dC}{dr} = 2\pi \frac{dr}{dt} = 2\pi(7) = 14\pi

2. #1 has some amazing implications. Suppose you want to put a rope around the Earth that any 7-footer can walk under. If the distance is 24,000 miles, what is the additional length of rope? Do I just put C = 24,000? I am not sure if I understand what it is asking.

3. The sides of a rectangle increase in such a way that \frac{dz}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt} where z is the diagonal. At the instant when x = 4 y = 3 what is the value of \frac{dx}{dt}? So x^2 + y^2 = z^2. 2x\frac{dx}{dt} + 2y\frac{dy}{dt} = 2 So then do I just substitute in the given values do get \frac{dx}{dt}? How would I use the fact that \frac{dx}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt}?

4. Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at the rate of 5.5 cubic inches per minute. Find the rate of change of the radius when the radius is 4 inches. Ok so I know that V = \frac{4}{3}\pi r^3. So \frac{dV}{dt} = 5.5 So 5.5 = 4\pi (4)^{2} \frac{dr}{dt}. I get \frac{5.5}{64\pi} Is this correct?


Thanks :smile:
 
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First question is right. I don't understand the second question. Have you copied it word for word?

For the third question the equation should be
2x\frac{dx}{dt} + 2y\frac{dy}{dt} = 2z\frac{dz}{dt}

Your question is confusing... Is:
\frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{dz}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt}

In one part you've written dx/dt=3dy/dt... another part you've written dz/dt=3dy/dt.
 
Your last question is solved correctly,though you should have added the unit...

As for the second,the way i see it...You don't need too much data...

Daniel.
 
I copied it word for word. I am sorry. For #3 it should be: \frac{dz}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt}
 
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courtrigrad said:
I copied it word for word. I am sorry. For #3 it should be: \frac{dz}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt}

That's ok.

For the second question, I guess that it's asking for the length of rope a 7ft can walk under around Earth - circumference of earth.

For the third question... I believe there's insufficient data to get an exact value for dx/dt. Double check the question, to see if there's more data.
 
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for #3 we have The sides of a rectangle increase such that \frac{dz}{dt} = 1 and \frac{dx}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt}. Find \frac{dx}{dt} when x = 4, \ y = 3

I get: 2x\frac{dx}{dt} + 2y\frac{dy}{dt} = 2z\frac{dz}{dt}. Substituting x,y,z we get 8\frac{dx}{dt} + 6\frac{dy}{dt} = 10 Substituting in \frac{dx}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt} I got \frac{dx}{dt} = 1 Is this correct?


Whoops
 
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courtrigrad said:
I get: 2x\frac{dx}{dt} + 2y\frac{dy}{dt} = 2z\frac{dz}{dt}. Substituting x,y,z we get 8\frac{dx}{dt} + 6\frac{dy}{dt} = 10 Substituting in \frac{dx}{dt} = 3\frac{dy}{dt} I got \frac{dx}{dt} = 1 Is this correct?


Whoops

Looks good. :smile:
 
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