- #1
Arnoldjavs3
- 191
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Homework Statement
A 5 m ladder is sliding down the wall, and h is the height of the ladder's top at time t, and x is the distance from the wall to the ladder's bottom at time t.
Given that h(0) = 4 at t = 0 seconds and dh/dt = 1.2m/s, and the ladder is 5m long find x(2) and dx/dt at t=2 seconds
Homework Equations
x^2 + h^2 = 5^2
25 - 16 = x^2
x = 3
The Attempt at a Solution
$$2x*\frac{dx}{dt} + 2h*\frac{dh}{dt} = 0$$
since we know that dh/dt = 1.2 and x = 3:
$$2(3)*\frac{dx}{dt} + 2(4)*(1.2)= 0$$
$$\frac{-9.6}{6} = \frac{dx}{dt}$$
$$\frac{dx}{dt} = -1.6$$
I believe dx/dt is -1.6 at t = 0 seconds, but how do I use this information to find x(2) and dx/dt at 2 seconds? Am I wrong in approaching this problem?