Ship traveling cal word problem i keep getting the wrong answer

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves two ships, A and B, traveling at different speeds and directions, with the goal of determining how fast the distance between them is changing at a specific time. The context is rooted in kinematics and involves the application of geometry and calculus to analyze the situation over time.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss setting up a geometric representation of the ships' positions over time and using the Pythagorean theorem to express the distance between them. There are attempts to differentiate this distance with respect to time to find the rate of change. Some participants express confusion about the initial setup and the units of measurement.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem with various approaches being suggested. Some participants have provided calculations and expressions for the distance and its rate of change, while others have pointed out potential errors or misunderstandings in the setup. Guidance has been offered to clarify the geometric relationships and the differentiation process.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of accurately representing the initial positions of the ships and the need to account for their respective movements over time. There is also mention of the distinction between nautical miles and knots, which adds to the complexity of the problem.

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At noon, ship A is 10 nautical miles due west of ship B. Ship A is sailing west at 16 knots and ship B is sailing north at 19 knots. How fast (in knots) is the distance between the ships changing at 4 PM? (Note: 1 knot is a speed of 1 nautical mile per hour.)

Note: Draw yourself a diagram which shows where the ships are at noon and where they are "some time" later on. You will need to use geometry to work out a formula which tells you how far apart the ships are at time t, and you will need to use "distance = velocity * time" to work out how far the ships have traveled after time t.

So the way that I did (but it is wrong)
at 4pm 4 hours have past so ship A has traveled 16*4 = 64 knots and ship B has traveled 19*4 = 76 knots.

by pythagoras the distance between them at this time is "r"
r² = 64² + 76²
r² = 9872
r = 4√617

Now:
at any time if A is how far ship A has traveled and B is how far ship B has traveled then
r² = A² + B²
differentiating with respect to time
2r dr/dt = 2A dA/dt + 2B dB/dt
r dr/dt = A dA/dt + B dB/dt
we know dA/dt = 16 knots, dB/dt = 19 knots
at 4 pm
4√617 dr/dt = 64*16 + 76*19
4√617 dr/dt = 2468
dr/dt = 2468/4√617
dr/dt = 617/√617
dr/dt = √617 knots
so at 4PM the distance between them is increasing by 24.84 knots (2dp)
 
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It looks like you're on the right track, but I don't think you have taken into account that the ships were not at the same point at noon.

Draw two pictures: one showing the ships at noon, and another showing the ships at 4pm.

Also, the distance between them is in nautical miles, not knots, which are units of speed.
 
I am not sure what I am suppose to do next? can u guide me please or show me. I would really apreciate it
 
This is what I did, I could be wrong though.

First I set up a triangle that described where each ship was at any time.
t = time
Ship A = (10 + 16t)
Ship B = (19t)
Distance from A to B = h

We need to find \frac{dh}{dt} when t = 4.

h = \sqrt{(19t)^2 + (10 + 16t)^2}
h = \sqrt{617t^2+ 320t + 100}

\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{1234t + 320}{2\sqrt{(617t^2 + 320t)}}

Now set t as 4.

\frac{dh}{dt} @ t = 4, is 24.9 knots.
 
The answer above is wrong. Can anyone else help me out with this
 
I am desperate for some guidance please help. I don't know what to do. I am not getting the answer
 
At noon, the ships are 10 n.m. apart, with ship A to the west of ship B.
At any time t >= 0, ship B will be 19t n.m. north of where it was at noon. Ship A will be 16t + 10 n.m. west of where ship B was at noon.

You have three points that form a right triangle. Ship A is on the left. Ship B's starting point is on the right, at the right angle of the triangle, and B's current position is north of where it was at noon. Draw this picture.

Write an expression that represents the distance D between ship A and ship B as a function of t. The rate of change of distance between the ships is dD/dt. You should end up with an equation for dD/dt in terms of the lengths of the sides of this triangle, and the rates of change (the speeds) of the ships. Evaluate dD/dt at 4pm (i.e., when t = 4 hrs).

Is that enough to get you going?
 
Hmm well I did notice that I screwed up one line. Although it doesn't change the answer much, perhaps tell us the answer if you know it?

Below is what I actually meant for the one line.

\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{1234t + 320}{2\sqrt{(617t^2 + 320t + 100)}}
 
MeTh0Dz said:
This is what I did, I could be wrong though.

First I set up a triangle that described where each ship was at any time.
t = time
Ship A = (10 + 16t)
Ship B = (19t)
Distance from A to B = h

We need to find \frac{dh}{dt} when t = 4.

h = \sqrt{(19t)^2 + (10 + 16t)^2}
h = \sqrt{617t^2+ 320t + 100}
I think you will find it simpler to deal with h2.

h^2= 19^2t^2+ (10+ 16t)^2
so
2h\frac{dh}{dt}= 2(19^2)t+ 16(10+ 16t)^2

\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{1234t + 320}{2\sqrt{(617t^2 + 320t)}}

Now set t as 4.

\frac{dh}{dt} @ t = 4, is 24.9 knots.
 
  • #10
HallsofIvy said:
I think you will find it simpler to deal with h2.

h^2= 19^2t^2+ (10+ 16t)^2
so
2h\frac{dh}{dt}= 2(19^2)t+ 16(10+ 16t)^2

True, but it still leaves you with the ugly task of plugging h in at the end.
 
  • #11
But that's just arithmetic. h is approximately 106 nm at 4:00
 

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