Law of Cosines and Related Rates

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The discussion revolves around a problem involving two people walking in different directions and determining how fast the distance between them is changing after 15 minutes. The user has identified the rates of change for both individuals and applied the Law of Cosines, using a 45-degree angle for their relative positions. However, there is uncertainty about whether this approach is correct, prompting a request for clarification. The instructor's hint suggests using the Law of Cosines, indicating that the user is on the right track but may need further guidance on applying it correctly. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between the variables in related rates problems.
fstam2
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Here is the question:
Two people start from the same point. One walks east at 3 mi/h and the other walks northeast at 2 mi/h. How fast is the distance between the people changing after 15 minutes?
I have:
dx/dt= 3 mi/h, dy/dt= 2 mi/h, dz/dt= ?
x= 3*.25= .75, y= 2*.25= .50
The instructor hint was to use the Law of Cosines:
z^2 = x^2 + y^2 - 2xy \cos \theta
My theta is 45 degrees.
My question is that I am plugging in values for all the variables, but I think this is the wrong direction.
Thanks for your help.
Todd
 
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Why do you think it is the wrong direction?
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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