How fast is the area of triangle formed

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Area Triangle
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the rate of change of the area of a triangle formed by a 13-foot ladder leaning against a building. When the foot of the ladder is pulled away at a constant rate of 8 inches per second, the area is determined using the formula A = 1/2 * B * H, where B is the base and H is the height. At the moment when the top of the ladder is 12 feet above the ground, the area is changing at a rate of 119/36 square feet per second. The calculations involve differentiating the area with respect to time and substituting the known values for height and base rates.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus, specifically differentiation.
  • Familiarity with the concept of related rates in physics.
  • Knowledge of triangle area formulas, particularly A = 1/2 * base * height.
  • Ability to convert units, such as inches to feet.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study related rates problems in calculus to strengthen understanding.
  • Learn about the application of differentiation in physics contexts.
  • Explore the implications of unit conversions in real-world problems.
  • Investigate the geometric properties of triangles and their applications in physics.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, physics enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding the application of related rates in real-world scenarios involving geometry.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
9 A Ladder 13ft long is leaning against the side of a building.
If the foot of the ladder is pulled away from the building at a constant rate of 8in per second how fast is the area of triangle formed by the ladder, the building and the ground changing (in feet squared per second) at the instant when the top of the ladder is 12 feet above the ground

https://www.physicsforums.com/attachments/1520

$$A=\frac{1}{2}BH=\frac{1}{2}xy$$

$$\frac{d}{dt}A=\frac{d}{dt} \left(\frac{1}{2} xy \right)

\Rightarrow \frac{dA}{dt}=\frac{1}{2}x\frac{dy}{dt}+\frac{1}{2}y\frac{dx}{dt}$$

since $$\frac{dy}{dt}\text{ at y }= 12\text { is }\frac{-5 ft}{12 ft}\cdot \frac {2ft}{3 sec} = -\frac {5 ft}{18 sec}$$

then substituting

$$\frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{119}{36}\frac{ft^2}{sec}$$

hopefully
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Looks good to me!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K