Math Problem Statement

An explosion at an oil rig in the ocean causes an elliptical oil slick to spread on the surface of the water. The slick is a constant 7 inches thick. After several days, when the major axis of the slick is 8 miles long and the minor axis is 0.2 miles wide, it is determined that its length is increasing at the rate of 40 feet per hour, and its width is increasing at the rate of 4 feet per hour. At what rate (in cubic feet per hour) is oil flowing from the site of the rig at that time?

Oil is flowing at cubic feet per hour

Solution

To find the rate at which oil is flowing from the site of the rig, we'll calculate the rate of change of the volume of the oil slick.

Step 1: Express the Volume of the Oil Slick

The oil slick is in the shape of an elliptical cylinder with a constant thickness. The volume VV of the slick can be given by:

V=Area of the ellipse×ThicknessV = \text{Area of the ellipse} \times \text{Thickness}

The area AA of an ellipse is given by:

A=π×a2×b2A = \pi \times \frac{a}{2} \times \frac{b}{2}

where aa is the length of the major axis and bb is the length of the minor axis.

Therefore, the volume VV of the oil slick is:

V=π×a2×b2×ThicknessV = \pi \times \frac{a}{2} \times \frac{b}{2} \times \text{Thickness}

Since the thickness is 7 inches, we need to convert it to feet:

Thickness=712 feet\text{Thickness} = \frac{7}{12} \text{ feet}

So,

V=π×a2×b2×712V = \pi \times \frac{a}{2} \times \frac{b}{2} \times \frac{7}{12}

Simplifying, we get:

V=π×a×b×748 cubic feetV = \frac{\pi \times a \times b \times 7}{48} \text{ cubic feet}

Step 2: Differentiate the Volume with Respect to Time

To find the rate at which the volume is changing, we differentiate the volume VV with respect to time tt:

dVdt=π×748×(d(a×b)dt)\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{\pi \times 7}{48} \times \left(\frac{d(a \times b)}{dt}\right)

Using the product rule for differentiation:

dVdt=π×748×(adbdt+bdadt)\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{\pi \times 7}{48} \times \left(a \frac{db}{dt} + b \frac{da}{dt}\right)

Step 3: Substitute the Given Values

We are given:

  • a=8a = 8 miles =8×5280= 8 \times 5280 feet
  • b=0.2b = 0.2 miles =0.2×5280= 0.2 \times 5280 feet
  • dadt=40\frac{da}{dt} = 40 feet per hour
  • dbdt=4\frac{db}{dt} = 4 feet per hour

First, calculate the dimensions in feet:

a=8×5280=42240 feeta = 8 \times 5280 = 42240 \text{ feet} b=0.2×5280=1056 feetb = 0.2 \times 5280 = 1056 \text{ feet}

Now, substitute the values into the derivative:

dVdt=π×748×(42240×4+1056×40)\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{\pi \times 7}{48} \times \left(42240 \times 4 + 1056 \times 40\right)

Calculate each term:

42240×4=16896042240 \times 4 = 168960 1056×40=422401056 \times 40 = 42240

Add these results:

168960+42240=211200168960 + 42240 = 211200

Now, plug this into the derivative:

dVdt=7π48×211200\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{7\pi}{48} \times 211200

Finally, simplify:

dVdt=7×211200×π4896434.3×π cubic feet per hour\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{7 \times 211200 \times \pi}{48} \approx 96434.3 \times \pi \text{ cubic feet per hour}

So the rate at which oil is flowing from the site of the rig is approximately:

dVdt302998 cubic feet per hour\frac{dV}{dt} \approx 302998 \text{ cubic feet per hour}

Final Answer:

Oil is flowing at approximately 302,998 cubic feet per hour.

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. How would the rate of oil flow change if the thickness of the slick were doubled?
  2. What is the effect of increasing the rate of expansion of the minor axis?
  3. If the thickness of the oil slick decreases over time, how would that impact the volume rate of change?
  4. What happens to the oil flow rate if both the length and width expansion rates are doubled?
  5. How can this model be adjusted for non-elliptical shapes?

Tip: Remember to always convert all units to the same system before performing calculations, especially when dealing with physical quantities like volume and rate of change.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Rate of Change
Volume of Elliptical Cylinder
Unit Conversion

Formulas

Volume of an elliptical cylinder: V = (π × a × b × thickness) / 48
Rate of change of volume: dV/dt = (π × 7 / 48) × (a × db/dt + b × da/dt)

Theorems

Product Rule for Differentiation

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 (Advanced Calculus)