How fast is the surface area increasing

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the rate of change of the surface area of a cube as its volume increases at a specified rate. Participants explore the relationship between the volume and surface area of a cube, utilizing calculus concepts such as related rates to derive expressions for the rates of change.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Technical explanation
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant states that the volume of a cube is increasing at a rate of $$\displaystyle\frac{10 cm^3}{\text {min}}$$ and asks how fast the surface area is increasing when the edge length is $$\displaystyle 30 \text{ cm}$$.
  • Another participant suggests solving the surface area equation for $$x$$ and substituting that into the volume equation.
  • A participant provides a method using related rates, deriving expressions for $$\frac{dV}{dt}$$ and $$\frac{dS}{dt}$$ based on the relationships between volume and surface area.
  • Further calculations are presented, showing how to express $$\frac{dS}{dt}$$ in terms of the known quantities, ultimately leading to a calculated rate of $$\frac{4}{3} \text{ cm}^2/\text{min}$$.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the mathematical relationships involved but explore different methods to approach the problem. There is no consensus on a single method as the best approach, and some participants reiterate earlier points without resolving the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions regarding the continuity of the rates and the specific conditions under which the rates are calculated are not explicitly stated. The discussion does not resolve the potential complexities involved in the relationships between the variables.

karush
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The volume of a cube is increasing at a rate of $$\displaystyle\frac{10 cm^3}{\text {min}}$$

How fast is the surface area increasing when the length of an edge is $$\displaystyle 30 \text{ cm}$$

The answer to this is $$\displaystyle \frac{4}{3} \text{ cm}^2$$

$$V=x^3$$ and $$SA=6x^2$$ and $$\displaystyle\frac {dV}{dt} = \displaystyle\frac{10 cm^3}{\text {min}}$$

actually I don't know how to set this up relating $SA$ to $V$
 
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karush said:
The volume of a cube is increasing at a rate of $$\displaystyle\frac{10 cm^3}{\text {min}}$$

How fast is the surface area increasing when the length of an edge is $$\displaystyle 30 \text{ cm}$$

The answer to this is $$\displaystyle \frac{4}{3} \text{ cm}^2$$

$$V=x^3$$ and $$SA=6x^2$$ and $$\displaystyle\frac {dV}{dt} = \displaystyle\frac{10 cm^3}{\text {min}}$$

actually I don't know how to set this up relating $SA$ to $V$
Can you solve the SA equation for x? Then you can put that value of x into the V equation...

-Dan
 
topsquark said:
Can you solve the SA equation for x? Then you can put that value of x into the V equation...

-Dan

like thIs?

$
\displaystyle
SA=6x^2
\Rightarrow
x=\sqrt{\frac{(SA)}{6}}
$
Then since

$V=x^3$
$
\displaystyle
V=\left(\sqrt{\frac{(SA)}{6}}\right)^3=\frac{\sqrt{6}}{36}\cdot(SA)^{\frac{3}{2}}
$
 
karush said:
like thIs?

$
\displaystyle
SA=6x^2
\Rightarrow
x=\sqrt{\frac{(SA)}{6}}
$
Then since

$V=x^3$
$
\displaystyle
V=\left(\sqrt{\frac{(SA)}{6}}\right)^3=\frac{\sqrt{6}}{36}\cdot(SA)^{\frac{3}{2}}
$

Another approach would be to use related rates:

$$V=x^3\implies\frac{dV}{dt}=3x^2\frac{dx}{dt}$$

$$S=6x^2\implies\frac{dS}{dt}=12x\frac{dx}{dt}$$

From the derivative of the first equation, we have:

$$\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{1}{3x^2}\frac{dV}{dt}$$

Now, substitute for $$\frac{dx}{dt}$$ into the derivative of the second equation, and you will have $$\frac{dS}{dt}$$ in terms of $x$ and $$\frac{dV}{dt}$$ both of which are given.
 
MarkFL said:
Another approach would be to use related rates:

$$V=x^3\implies\frac{dV}{dt}=3x^2\frac{dx}{dt}$$

$$S=6x^2\implies\frac{dS}{dt}=12x\frac{dx}{dt}$$

From the derivative of the first equation, we have:

$$\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{1}{3x^2}\frac{dV}{dt}$$

Now, substitute for $$\frac{dx}{dt}$$ into the derivative of the second equation, and you will have $$\frac{dS}{dt}$$ in terms of $x$ and $$\frac{dV}{dt}$$ both of which are given.

$$\frac{dS}{dt}
=12x\frac{1}{3x^2}\frac{dV}{dt}
\Rightarrow
12(30)\frac{1}{3(30)^2}\cdot 10
=\frac{4}{3}\frac{m^2}{min}
$$
 

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