Math Problem Statement

A rectangle has a length that is decreasing at a rate of 11 mm per second with the width being held constant. What is the rate of change of the area of the rectangle if the width is 9 mm? 

Solution

To determine the rate of change of the area of the rectangle, we can use the formula for the area of a rectangle:

A=length×widthA = \text{length} \times \text{width}

Let ll represent the length and ww represent the width of the rectangle. Then, the area AA can be expressed as:

A=l×wA = l \times w

Given:

  • The width w=9w = 9 mm (constant)
  • The rate of change of the length dldt=11\frac{dl}{dt} = -11 mm per second (negative because the length is decreasing)

We need to find the rate of change of the area, dAdt\frac{dA}{dt}.

Differentiate the area formula with respect to time tt:

dAdt=dldt×w+l×dwdt\frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{dl}{dt} \times w + l \times \frac{dw}{dt}

Since the width ww is constant, dwdt=0\frac{dw}{dt} = 0. Therefore, the equation simplifies to:

dAdt=dldt×w\frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{dl}{dt} \times w

Substitute the given values:

dAdt=(11)×9=99 mm2 per second\frac{dA}{dt} = (-11) \times 9 = -99 \text{ mm}^2 \text{ per second}

Thus, the rate of change of the area of the rectangle is 99-99 square millimeters per second.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are 5 related questions you might find interesting:

  1. How would the rate of change of the area be different if the width was also changing?
  2. What if the length was increasing instead of decreasing? How would that affect the rate?
  3. How does the rate of change of the area compare if the width was larger or smaller?
  4. What would happen to the area if both the length and width were decreasing?
  5. How would you calculate the rate of change of the perimeter of the rectangle?

Tip: When calculating the rate of change of an area, it's important to remember that only the variables that are changing contribute to the derivative.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Derivatives

Formulas

Area of a rectangle: A = length × width
Rate of change of area: dA/dt = (dl/dt) × w

Theorems

-

Suitable Grade Level

High School