Related Rates street light shadow

In summary, a man standing 3 feet from the base of a lamppost with a height of 6 feet casts a shadow 4 feet long. If he walks away from the lamppost at a speed of 400 feet per minute, his shadow lengthens at a rate of 1600/3 feet per minute. The tip of his shadow is also moving at this same rate. To solve the second part, we can use similar triangles and the sum of the two rates to find the rate of the tip of his shadow.
  • #1
rocomath
1,755
1
A man standing 3 feet from the base of a lamppost casts a shadow 4 feet long. If the man is 6 feet tall and walks away from the lamppost at a speed of 400 feet per minute, at what rate will his shadow lengthen? How fast is the tip of his shadow moving?

I'm unsure of how to solve the 2nd part, a bump would be good. Kinda brain dead atm :)

Here's the first part: Just use similar triangles

[tex]\frac{z}{x+y}=\frac 6 y \ \ \ z=\frac{21}{2}ft[/tex]

[tex]y=x\left(\frac{6}{z-6}\right)[/tex]

[tex]\frac{dy}{dt}=\frac{dx}{dt}\left(\frac{6}{z-6}\right)=\frac{1600}{3}\frac{ft}{min}[/tex]
 
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  • #2
Oh nvm, it's just the sum of the 2 rates ... brain dead :p
 

1. What is the concept of related rates in regards to a street light shadow?

Related rates in the context of a street light shadow refers to the mathematical concept of how the length of the shadow changes in relation to the movement of the light source or object casting the shadow. It involves using the principles of calculus to find the rate of change of one variable with respect to another.

2. How are related rates applied to a street light shadow problem?

To solve a related rates problem involving a street light shadow, you would need to identify the variables involved, such as the length of the shadow, the height of the light source, and the distance between the light source and the object casting the shadow. Then, you would use the chain rule and other calculus techniques to differentiate the equations representing these variables and find their rates of change in relation to each other.

3. What real-life applications can be modeled using related rates for a street light shadow?

Related rates for a street light shadow can be used to model various real-life scenarios, such as the changing length of a shadow as the sun moves across the sky, the movement of a person's shadow as they walk, or the changing shadow of a building as the sun changes position throughout the day. It can also be applied to engineering problems, such as determining the optimal placement of street lights to minimize shadow length.

4. What are some common challenges when solving related rates problems involving a street light shadow?

One of the main challenges when solving related rates problems for a street light shadow is identifying the correct variables and setting up the appropriate equations. It can also be challenging to determine the appropriate time frame for the problem and to accurately differentiate the equations to find the rates of change. Additionally, the use of trigonometric functions and geometry concepts may also pose challenges.

5. Are there any tips or tricks to help solve related rates problems for a street light shadow?

To effectively solve related rates problems for a street light shadow, it is important to carefully read and understand the given information, draw a clear and accurate diagram, and identify the relevant variables and their relationships. It can also be helpful to use the chain rule, pay attention to units, and double-check your calculations. Practice and familiarity with calculus concepts and equations can also make solving related rates problems easier.

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