Need a little help with this related rates problem

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a related rates problem involving the rate of change of the radius of a circle in relation to its area. The original poster attempts to apply the related rates formula, but expresses uncertainty about their calculations and the expected outcome.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the application of the related rates formula and the importance of unit consistency. Questions are raised about the value of the radius and the calculations leading to the derived rate of change.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing supportive feedback and encouraging the original poster to reflect on their approach. There is recognition of the need for clarification on specific values and calculations, but no consensus has been reached on the correct solution.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of confusion regarding the calculations and the role of units in the problem. The original poster expresses feelings of frustration and self-doubt about their understanding of the material.

MrDickinson
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Can someone help me with this?
(dA/dt)=1cm/s (cm^2 whatever...leave out trivial corrections).
A=pir^2
(dA/dt)=2pir(dR/dt)
Multiply through by (1/2pir)
(dA/dt)/(2pir)=dR/Dt
What is the rate of change of the radius for a circumfrance of 2
I just used the related rates formula that I derived for dR/dt to find the derivative of of the radius and I get 1/2pi, the problem is that the answer is 1/2... gosh I suck at this. Can someone please help me?
 
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I moved your thread to our homework section.
MrDickinson said:
(dA/dt)=1cm/s (cm^2 whatever...leave out trivial corrections).
Taking care of units allows to avoid many mistakes in homework problems.
MrDickinson said:
What is the rate of change of the radius for a circumfrance of 2
I just used the related rates formula that I derived for dR/dt to find the derivative of of the radius and I get 1/2pi, the problem is that the answer is 1/2... gosh I suck at this. Can someone please help me?
What did you get as value for r?
 
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mfb said:
I moved your thread to our homework section.
Taking care of units allows to avoid many mistakes in homework problems.
What did you get as value for r?
Thanks. I understand the value of checking units, but in math they are useless. I understand where you are going though, as I once had a chemistry TA make the statement "numbers without units are useless" as in... I think he was getting at something like "math without application is useless." But for me, it turns out that they usually don't do anything other than tell me what I already know; namely, I am wrong.

I think I see where I went wrong... how stupid of me... I mean, I should feel shame and dishonor over this...
 
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MrDickinson said:
... gosh I suck at this.

MrDickinson said:
I think I see where I went wrong... how stupid of me... I mean, I should feel shame and dishonor over this...

I think you might be a bit hard on yourself. You recognized that you needed help and sought it out from those who are likely to be more knowledgeable. No one got hurt, and no one died as a result of your failure in solving this math problem. In general as well, having the humility to recognize your mistakes and actively seek to correct them is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
 
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Tallus Bryne said:
I think you might be a bit hard on yourself. You recognized that you needed help and sought it out from those who are likely to be more knowledgeable. No one got hurt, and no one died as a result of your failure in solving this math problem. In general as well, having the humility to recognize your mistakes and actively seek to correct them is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
Thank you.
 

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