Law of Cosines and Related Rates

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on applying the Law of Cosines to determine the rate of change of distance between two individuals walking in different directions. One person walks east at 3 mi/h, while the other walks northeast at 2 mi/h, creating a scenario where the angle between their paths is 45 degrees. The Law of Cosines formula, z² = x² + y² - 2xy cos(θ), is utilized to find the distance z after 15 minutes. The user seeks clarification on the correct application of this formula to derive dz/dt, the rate of change of distance.

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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
 
Last edited:
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Why do you think it is the wrong direction?
 

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