Related rates equation problem

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a scenario where a boy is trying to reach a girl by running and swimming, with specific distances and speeds provided. The context is related to related rates in calculus, particularly focusing on time consumption based on the distances covered by running and swimming.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting up a triangle to represent the distances involved and the relationship between running and swimming. There is uncertainty about how to incorporate time into the equation. Some participants question the initial setup and the interpretation of the positions of the boy and girl.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify the problem's setup and explore different interpretations. Some guidance has been offered regarding the geometric representation of the problem, but there is no consensus on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted ambiguity regarding the positions of the boy and girl, which affects the interpretation of the distances and the necessity of swimming. The original poster's description has led to confusion about the layout of the swimming pool and the relative positions of the individuals involved.

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Homework Statement



A boy is standing 50 ft. from the end of a swimming pool when he sees a girl 25 ft. along the end. He can swim 3 ft/s and run 5 ft/s. If he runs x feet, set up an equation for time consumed.


Homework Equations



There is a visual aid: A rectangle with length labeled 50 ft and a dot B designating where the boy is, and with a width labeled 25 ft and a dot G designating where the girl is.


The Attempt at a Solution



I know I have to set up a triangle, with my y-axis being the length (where the girl is, making my dy/dt= 3 ft/s) and the x-axis being the width (dx/dt=5 ft/s) Past this, I really don't know. I tried this:

Since he is running x ft, the 50 ft must be losing x, and the 25 ft must be gaining x. So y/x=(25+x)/(50-x) However, I need t in there. If I integrate dy/dt, I will be left with a c that I'm not sure how to get rid of. So yeah, I'm really stumped on this one.

I know it's kinda hard to visualize, so any help at all would be appreciated.
 
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Bionerd said:

Homework Statement



A boy is standing 50 ft. from the end of a swimming pool when he sees a girl 25 ft. along the end. He can swim 3 ft/s and run 5 ft/s. If he runs x feet, set up an equation for time consumed.


Homework Equations



There is a visual aid: A rectangle with length labeled 50 ft and a dot B designating where the boy is, and with a width labeled 25 ft and a dot G designating where the girl is.


The Attempt at a Solution


I know I have to set up a triangle, with my y-axis being the length (where the girl is, making my dy/dt= 3 ft/s) and the x-axis being the width (dx/dt=5 ft/s) Past this, I really don't know. I tried this:

Since he is running x ft, the 50 ft must be losing x, and the 25 ft must be gaining x. So y/x=(25+x)/(50-x) However, I need t in there. If I integrate dy/dt, I will be left with a c that I'm not sure how to get rid of. So yeah, I'm really stumped on this one.

I know it's kinda hard to visualize, so any help at all would be appreciated.

You haven't given enough information! For example, if he is standing on the right of the swimming pool and the girl is also to the right of the swimming pool, I can see no reason for him swimming at all!
 
He is standing in the lower right corner, she in the upper left.
 
Bionerd said:
He is standing in the lower right corner, she in the upper left.

That completely contradicts what you originally said:
A boy is standing 50 ft. from the end of a swimming pool when he sees a girl 25 ft. along the end. He can swim 3 ft/s and run 5 ft/s. If he runs x feet, set up an equation for time consumed.
What you meant, I think is that the swimming pool is 50 feet long and 25 feet wide, the boy and girl are at opposite corners. That's quite different from saying "A boy is standing 50 ft. from the end of a swimming pool"!

He runs x feet along the length of the pool leaving 50-x to the end. That does NOT "add" anything to the 25 foot width. He swims along the hypotenuse of a right triangle having one leg 50-x and the other 25. The distance he swims is [itex]\sqrt{(50-x)^2+ 25^2}=\sqrt{3125- 100x+ x^2}[/itex]. The time it takes to go a given distance is that distance divided by the speed.
 

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