You know tangentTheta=h/4
take the derivative
sec^2 Theta * dTheta/dt= 1/4 dh/dt
you know dtheta/dt solving for dh/dt
You know sec Theta from the right triangle:
sec theta = sqrt(h^2 +16) /h
check me.
Georgina: in the future, please put the title in the subject box, in this case: calculus, or related rates, or such.
A camera, located 4 km from the launch pad, is tracking the rocket that is fired straight up. When the height of the rocket is 13 km, the camera is rotating at the rate of 3/169 radians per second. What is the speed of the rocket at that instant? Give your answer in km/sec.
Thanks for all the help.
To find the speed of the rocket at a specific instant, we need to use related rates and calculus. Here's how we can approach this problem step by step:
Step 1: Write down the given values and equations:
- We are given that the camera is rotating at a rate of 3/169 radians per second (dTheta/dt = 3/169).
- The camera is located 4 km from the launch pad.
- At the specific instant we are interested in, the height of the rocket is 13 km.
Step 2: Determine the relationship between the variables:
We are given the relationship tangentTheta = h/4. This equation relates the angle of rotation of the camera (Theta) to the height of the rocket (h).
Step 3: Find the derivative of the equation:
Take the derivative of both sides of the equation with respect to time (t) to handle the related rates problem:
d/dt(tanTheta) = d/dt(h/4)
Using the chain rule, we get:
sec^2Theta * dTheta/dt = (1/4) * dh/dt
Step 4: Solve for dh/dt:
We need to solve for dh/dt, which represents the rate at which the height of the rocket is changing.
Rearranging the equation from step 3, we get:
dh/dt = (sec^2Theta * dTheta/dt) / (1/4)
Step 5: Substitute the given values:
To evaluate dh/dt, we need to substitute the given values into the equation. We know that h = 13 km, and we are given that dTheta/dt = 3/169 radians per second.
Step 6: Evaluate secTheta:
To find secTheta, we need to use the right triangle formed by the camera, launch pad, and rocket. From this triangle, we know that secTheta = sqrt(h^2 + 16)/h. Substituting the value of h = 13 km, we can calculate secTheta.
Step 7: Calculate dh/dt:
Substitute the values of secTheta, dTheta/dt, and (1/4) into the equation for dh/dt derived in step 4, and compute the value.
Step 8: Convert the answer to km/sec:
Since the speed of the rocket is measured in km/sec, make sure to convert the value of dh/dt to the appropriate units.
Following these steps should allow you to determine the speed of the rocket at the specific instant when its height is 13 km.