Table of contents
- 0. Functions(0)
- Introduction to Functions(0)
- Piecewise Functions(0)
- Properties of Functions(0)
- Common Functions(0)
- Transformations(0)
- Combining Functions(0)
- Exponent rules(0)
- Exponential Functions(0)
- Logarithmic Functions(0)
- Properties of Logarithms(0)
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations(0)
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions(0)
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions(0)
- Trigonometric Identities(0)
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions(0)
- 1. Limits and Continuity(0)
- 2. Intro to Derivatives(0)
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation(0)
- 4. Applications of Derivatives(0)
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives(0)
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions(0)
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals(0)
- 8. Definite Integrals(0)
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Applied Optimization
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Applied Optimization: Study with Video Lessons, Practice Problems & Examples
18PRACTICE PROBLEM
An ant needs to cross a garden to reach a sugar cube. The first part of the garden is covered in sand, where the ant moves at , and the second part is a patch of grass, where the ant's speed decreases to . To minimize the travel time, what should be the ratio of the sine of the angle at which the ant enters the grass, , to the sine of the angle at which it moves through the grass, ?

An ant needs to cross a garden to reach a sugar cube. The first part of the garden is covered in sand, where the ant moves at , and the second part is a patch of grass, where the ant's speed decreases to . To minimize the travel time, what should be the ratio of the sine of the angle at which the ant enters the grass, , to the sine of the angle at which it moves through the grass, ?