Implicit differentiation wrt time

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rook_b

Homework Statement



"A lawn sprinkler is constructed in such a way that d[itex]\theta[/itex]/dt is constant, where [itex]theta[/itex] ranges between 45 degrees and 135 degrees. The distance the water travels horizontally is

[tex]x=v^2sin(2\theta)/32[/tex]

where v is the speed of the water. Find dx/dt and explain why this lawn sprinkler does not water evenly. What part of the lawn receives the most water?

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution



I took the derivative of the function getting,

[tex]dx/dt=(2v*sin2\theta(dx/dt) +2v^2cos2\theta(dx/dt))32[/tex]

I made a mistake because I can factor out dx/dt, then dividing both sides by dx/dt sets the equation to 1 but I don't want that. Where am I making my mistake? It seems to me that my differentiation was correct but I must have made a mistake. If you want I'll walk through it. This answer isn't the same as the one in the back of the book either, I avoid looking at the back usually and forget the answers are even there.
 
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Oh! right, v=dx/dt . So now I have [itex]\frac{dx}{dt}=[2v*sin2\theta + 2cos2\theta \frac{d\theta}{dt}v^2]/32^2[/itex]

Is that right? Because we are taking the derivative of cos wrt theta we must multiply by [itex]\frac{d\theta}{dt}[/itex].
 
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