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 of the slick can be given by:
The area of an ellipse is given by:
where is the length of the major axis and is the length of the minor axis.
Therefore, the volume of the oil slick is:
Since the thickness is 7 inches, we need to convert it to feet:
So,
Simplifying, we get:
Step 2: Differentiate the Volume with Respect to Time
To find the rate at which the volume is changing, we differentiate the volume with respect to time :
Using the product rule for differentiation:
Step 3: Substitute the Given Values
We are given:
- miles feet
- miles feet
- feet per hour
- feet per hour
First, calculate the dimensions in feet:
Now, substitute the values into the derivative:
Calculate each term:
Add these results:
Now, plug this into the derivative:
Finally, simplify:
So the rate at which oil is flowing from the site of the rig is approximately:
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:
- How would the rate of oil flow change if the thickness of the slick were doubled?
- What is the effect of increasing the rate of expansion of the minor axis?
- If the thickness of the oil slick decreases over time, how would that impact the volume rate of change?
- What happens to the oil flow rate if both the length and width expansion rates are doubled?
- 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)