How Fast Is the Distance Changing Between Mr. John and the Zombie?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves related rates in a scenario where Mr. John is climbing a tree while a zombie approaches him. The question seeks to determine the rate of change of the distance between them when the angle of elevation from the zombie to Mr. John is π/4. The context includes rates of movement and initial distances.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the formulation of functions representing the positions of Mr. John and the zombie over time. There are suggestions to differentiate the distance function and to consider the angle of elevation as a time-dependent variable. Some participants express confusion about the setup and the implications of the given rates.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need to differentiate the distance function, and there is acknowledgment of potential misunderstandings about the angle of elevation and the direction of the zombie's movement.

Contextual Notes

There are indications that some assumptions made by participants may not hold true, particularly regarding the angle of elevation being constant and the direction of the zombie's movement. The problem setup includes specific rates of movement and initial conditions that are critical to the discussion.

wild
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Related Rate Question please help!

I am stuck on this question and need help asap pleasez.

Mr. John is climbing a tree at a rate of 2m/s. After 1 second of climbing Mr. John is noticed by a 2m tall zombie that is 30m away from the tree. The zombie walks towards Mr. John at a rate of 5m/s. What is the rate of change of the distance between Mr. John and the zombie when the angle of elevation from the zombie to Mr. John is Pi/4.


i kno that
Dy/Dt = 2m/s.
Dx/Dt is 5m/s.
theta is Pi/4.
i just can't find out how to do this pleasez help!
 
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Write down functions j(t) and z(t), then find the derivative of [itex]\sqrt{j^2(t) + z^2(t)}[/itex]. Note that j and z are lines in R^2 space. jx is always 0 and zy is probably 2.
 


Could you please draw out the situation and then post it up? It would be of big assistance.
 


wild said:
I am stuck on this question and need help asap pleasez.

Mr. John is climbing a tree at a rate of 2m/s. After 1 second of climbing Mr. John is noticed by a 2m tall zombie that is 30m away from the tree. The zombie walks towards Mr. John at a rate of 5m/s. What is the rate of change of the distance between Mr. John and the zombie when the angle of elevation from the zombie to Mr. John is Pi/4.i kno that
Dy/Dt = 2m/s.
Dx/Dt is 5m/s.
theta is Pi/4.
i just can't find out how to do this pleasez help!

Some of what you know isn't true! The angle is a function of time, and is ##\pi/4## only at one particular time. Also, since the zombie (who writes these problems?) is approaching the tree, dx/dt = -5 m/s.
 

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