Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals3h 25m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Related Rates
Problem 3.R.115
Textbook Question
A jet flying at 450 mi/hr and traveling in a straight line at a constant elevation of 500 ft passes directly over a spectator at an air show. How quickly is the angle of elevation (between the ground and the line from the spectator to the jet) changing 2 seconds later?
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1
Identify the relationship between the height of the jet, the distance it travels, and the angle of elevation. Use the tangent function: \( \tan(\theta) = \frac{h}{d} \), where \( h \) is the height (500 ft) and \( d \) is the horizontal distance from the spectator to the jet.
Determine the horizontal distance traveled by the jet after 2 seconds. Since the jet is flying at 450 mi/hr, convert this speed to feet per second (1 mile = 5280 feet) and then multiply by 2 seconds to find \( d \).
Differentiate the tangent function with respect to time to find the relationship between the angle of elevation \( \theta \) and time. Use implicit differentiation: \( \sec^2(\theta) \frac{d\theta}{dt} = \frac{1}{d} \frac{dd}{dt} \).
Calculate \( \frac{dd}{dt} \), which is the speed of the jet in feet per second, and substitute the values of \( h \), \( d \), and \( \frac{dd}{dt} \) into the differentiated equation.
Solve for \( \frac{d\theta}{dt} \) to find how quickly the angle of elevation is changing at that moment.
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