Math Problem Statement

A particle is moving along the curve y = 4√(2x) + 3. As the particle passes through the point (3, 12), its x-coordinate increases at a rate of 2 units per second. Find the rate of change of the distance from the particle to the origin at this instant.

Solution

To solve the given problem, let's break it down step by step:

Problem Breakdown:

  1. Curve Equation: y=42x+3y = 4\sqrt{2x} + 3
  2. Point of Interest: (3,12)(3, 12)
  3. Rate of Change of xx: dxdt=2units/second\frac{dx}{dt} = 2 \, \text{units/second}
  4. Goal: Find the rate of change of the distance from the particle to the origin, i.e., dDdt\frac{dD}{dt}, where DD is the distance to the origin.

Distance Formula:

The distance DD from the particle at (x,y)(x, y) to the origin is: D=x2+y2D = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2}

Taking the derivative with respect to time tt, we use the chain rule: dDdt=12x2+y22xdxdt+2ydydt\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{1}{2\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}} \cdot 2x\frac{dx}{dt} + 2y\frac{dy}{dt}

This simplifies to: dDdt=xdxdt+ydydtx2+y2\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{x\frac{dx}{dt} + y\frac{dy}{dt}}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}

Step 1: Evaluate yy and dydx\frac{dy}{dx}

Given y=42x+3y = 4\sqrt{2x} + 3, compute dydx\frac{dy}{dx}: dydx=42xddx(2x)=42x2=4x\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{4}{\sqrt{2x}} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(2x) = \frac{4}{\sqrt{2x}} \cdot \sqrt{2} = \frac{4}{\sqrt{x}}

Next, find dydt\frac{dy}{dt}: dydt=dydxdxdt=4xdxdt\frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{dy}{dx} \cdot \frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{4}{\sqrt{x}} \cdot \frac{dx}{dt}

At x=3x = 3: dydt=432=83\frac{dy}{dt} = \frac{4}{\sqrt{3}} \cdot 2 = \frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}

Step 2: Evaluate DD at (x,y)=(3,12)(x, y) = (3, 12)

D=x2+y2=32+122=9+144=153D = \sqrt{x^2 + y^2} = \sqrt{3^2 + 12^2} = \sqrt{9 + 144} = \sqrt{153}

Step 3: Evaluate dDdt\frac{dD}{dt}

Substitute values into the formula: dDdt=xdxdt+ydydtx2+y2\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{x\frac{dx}{dt} + y\frac{dy}{dt}}{\sqrt{x^2 + y^2}}

At (x,y)=(3,12)(x, y) = (3, 12): dDdt=3(2)+12(83)153\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{3(2) + 12\left(\frac{8}{\sqrt{3}}\right)}{\sqrt{153}}

Simplify: dDdt=6+963153\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{6 + \frac{96}{\sqrt{3}}}{\sqrt{153}}

Rationalize 963\frac{96}{\sqrt{3}}: 963=9633=323\frac{96}{\sqrt{3}} = \frac{96\sqrt{3}}{3} = 32\sqrt{3}

Thus: dDdt=6+323153\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{6 + 32\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{153}}

Final Answer:

dDdt=6+323153units/second.\frac{dD}{dt} = \frac{6 + 32\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{153}} \, \text{units/second}.

Would you like further clarification or numerical approximation? Here are related questions to explore:

  1. How does the chain rule apply to this type of problem?
  2. What if the rate of change of yy was constant instead of xx?
  3. Can the distance rate of change ever be negative?
  4. What happens when the particle is closest to the origin?
  5. How does changing dxdt\frac{dx}{dt} impact dDdt\frac{dD}{dt}?

Tip: Always check units to ensure your rates are consistent!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Differentiation
Rate of Change
Distance Formula
Chain Rule

Formulas

Distance Formula: D = √(x^2 + y^2)
Rate of change: dD/dt = (x(dx/dt) + y(dy/dt)) / √(x^2 + y^2)
Derivative of y: dy/dx = 4 / √x

Theorems

Chain Rule
Pythagorean Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 or Introductory Calculus