Implicit Function: Box Dimensions & Rates of Change

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves the rates of change of the dimensions of a box, specifically focusing on the volume, surface area, and the length of the diagonal as the dimensions change over time. The context is rooted in calculus, particularly the application of the chain rule and partial derivatives.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the differentiation of the formula for the diagonal and the implications of the rates of change for the volume and surface area. There is a focus on solving for the rate of change of the diagonal length and the use of implicit differentiation.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress in calculating the rates of change for the volume and surface area, while others are exploring the implications of their findings and questioning the methods used for the diagonal. There is a mix of attempts to clarify the approach and verify calculations without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific values for the dimensions of the box and their rates of change, but there may be uncertainty regarding the application of differentiation techniques and the interpretation of results.

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Homework Statement


The length ℓ, width w, and height h of a box change with time. At a certain instant the dimensions are ℓ = 4 m and
w = h = 9 m, and ℓ and w are increasing at a rate of 1 m/s while his decreasing at a rate of 6 m/s. At that instant find the rates at which the following quantities are changing.

(A) The Volume
(B) The Surface Area
(C) the length of a diagonal (round two decimals places)

Homework Equations


The Chain rule, Partial Derivative

The Attempt at a Solution


I already found A (ans: -99 m^3/s) and B (ans: -94 m^2/s)
for C:
1. i differentiated the formula L^2= ℓ^2+w^2+h^2 to 2L(dL/dt) = 2ℓ(dℓ/dt) + 2w(dw/dt) + 2h (dh/dt)
2. let dℓ/dt = dw/dt = 1 m/s and dh/dt = -6 m/s
3. my answer came as 2L(dL/dt) = 82 but I'm completely lost after this part
 
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Physicsnoob90 said:

Homework Statement


The length ℓ, width w, and height h of a box change with time. At a certain instant the dimensions are ℓ = 4 m and
w = h = 9 m, and ℓ and w are increasing at a rate of 1 m/s while his decreasing at a rate of 6 m/s. At that instant find the rates at which the following quantities are changing.

(A) The Volume
(B) The Surface Area
(C) the length of a diagonal (round two decimals places)

Homework Equations


The Chain rule, Partial Derivative

The Attempt at a Solution


I already found A (ans: -99 m^3/s) and B (ans: -94 m^2/s)
for C:
1. i differentiated the formula L^2= ℓ^2+w^2+h^2 to 2L(dL/dt) = 2ℓ(dℓ/dt) + 2w(dw/dt) + 2h (dh/dt)
2. let dℓ/dt = dw/dt = 1 m/s and dh/dt = -6 m/s
3. my answer came as 2L(dL/dt) = 82 but I'm completely lost after this part
At time t, you know what the values of w, h, and l are. You want to solve 2L (dL/dt) = 82 for dL/dt.
 
SteamKing said:
At time t, you know what the values of w, h, and l are. You want to solve 2L (dL/dt) = 82 for dL/dt.
would i be able to find L by square rooting (w,h,ℓ) and then multiplying it with the 2?

update: i manage to figure out the equation by doing just that. Thanks for your help!
 
Last edited:
You could but if you implicit differentiation you shouldn't! The length of the diagonal is given by L= (ℓ^2+ w^2+ h^2)^{1/2}.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

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