Math Problem Statement

The radius of a sphere is increasing at a rate of [7.5] meters per minute.

At a certain instant, the radius is [5] meters.

What is the rate of change of the surface area of the sphere at that instant (in square meters per minute)?

Solution

To find the rate of change of the surface area of the sphere with respect to time, we can use related rates. Let's work through the problem step by step.

Step 1: Define the variables

  • Let r(t)r(t) be the radius of the sphere as a function of time tt.
  • Let A(t)A(t) be the surface area of the sphere as a function of time tt.

Given:

  • The radius is increasing at a rate of drdt=7.5\frac{dr}{dt} = 7.5 meters per minute.
  • At the instant of interest, the radius r=5r = 5 meters.

Step 2: Write the formula for the surface area of the sphere

The surface area AA of a sphere is given by the formula: A=4πr2A = 4\pi r^2

Step 3: Differentiate the surface area with respect to time tt

To find the rate of change of the surface area dAdt\frac{dA}{dt}, differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to tt: dAdt=4π2rdrdt\frac{dA}{dt} = 4\pi \cdot 2r \cdot \frac{dr}{dt}

This simplifies to: dAdt=8πrdrdt\frac{dA}{dt} = 8\pi r \cdot \frac{dr}{dt}

Step 4: Plug in the known values

Substitute the given values r=5r = 5 meters and drdt=7.5\frac{dr}{dt} = 7.5 meters per minute into the equation: dAdt=8π×5×7.5\frac{dA}{dt} = 8\pi \times 5 \times 7.5 dAdt=300π square meters per minute\frac{dA}{dt} = 300\pi \text{ square meters per minute}

Final Answer

The rate of change of the surface area of the sphere at that instant is 300π300\pi square meters per minute.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions to explore:

  1. How would the rate of change of the surface area differ if the radius were increasing at a different rate?
  2. What is the rate of change of the volume of the sphere at the same instant?
  3. How does the rate of change of the surface area depend on the radius?
  4. If the radius were decreasing instead of increasing, how would that affect the rate of change of the surface area?
  5. Can you derive the rate of change of surface area for a sphere with a radius increasing exponentially?

Tip: For any related rates problem, always identify the key formula relating the variables and differentiate with respect to time to find the rate of change.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Related Rates
Derivatives

Formulas

Surface area of a sphere: A = 4\pi r^2

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

High School