Related rates change in distance between two boats?

Join the discussion
Ask a follow-up here, or get your own question answered by working scientists, mathematicians and engineers — people, not an autocomplete.
Real named experts · corrections over time · the nuance an AI answer skips
1 reply · 6K views
unigirl123101
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Two boats leave a dock at the same tie. One goes south at 30 km/h and the other goes southwest at 40 km/h. What is the rate of change of the distance between the 2 boats, 30 minutes after they leave?

I know how to do these questions when it's a right triangle...but since this has one boat going south, and one going southwest...I don't know how to do it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
I think you can make 2 right triangles by drawing a line from the position of first boat perpendicular to the path of the 2nd boat. Also, don't you know the angle between the paths of the two boats?
 
Last edited: