Math Problem Statement

  • Scenario: Sand is being poured onto a conical pile at a rate of 10 cubic feet per minute. The height of the pile is always twice the radius of the base. How fast is the height of the pile increasing when the height is 5 feet?

Solution

To solve this problem, we need to relate the volume of the conical pile of sand to its dimensions, specifically the height and the radius. The formula for the volume VV of a cone is given by:

V=13πr2hV = \frac{1}{3} \pi r^2 h

Given that the height hh is always twice the radius rr, we can express this relationship as:

h=2rr=h2h = 2r \quad \Rightarrow \quad r = \frac{h}{2}

Substituting this into the volume formula gives:

V=13π(h2)2h=13πh24h=112πh3V = \frac{1}{3} \pi \left(\frac{h}{2}\right)^2 h = \frac{1}{3} \pi \frac{h^2}{4} h = \frac{1}{12} \pi h^3

Next, we need to find how fast the height hh is increasing. We know:

  1. The rate of volume change dVdt=10\frac{dV}{dt} = 10 cubic feet per minute.
  2. We need to find dhdt\frac{dh}{dt} when h=5h = 5 feet.

We differentiate the volume with respect to time tt:

dVdt=ddt(112πh3)=112π3h2dhdt=14πh2dhdt\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt} \left(\frac{1}{12} \pi h^3\right) = \frac{1}{12} \pi \cdot 3h^2 \frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{1}{4} \pi h^2 \frac{dh}{dt}

Now we substitute dVdt=10\frac{dV}{dt} = 10 and h=5h = 5:

10=14π(52)dhdt10 = \frac{1}{4} \pi (5^2) \frac{dh}{dt}

This simplifies to:

10=14π(25)dhdt10 = \frac{1}{4} \pi (25) \frac{dh}{dt}

10=25π4dhdt10 = \frac{25\pi}{4} \frac{dh}{dt}

To isolate dhdt\frac{dh}{dt}:

dhdt=10425π=4025π=85π\frac{dh}{dt} = \frac{10 \cdot 4}{25\pi} = \frac{40}{25\pi} = \frac{8}{5\pi}

Now calculating this value:

dhdt815.707960.508\frac{dh}{dt} \approx \frac{8}{15.70796} \approx 0.508

Thus, when the height of the pile is 5 feet, the height is increasing at approximately 0.5080.508 feet per minute.

Summary:

The height of the pile is increasing at about 0.508 feet per minute when the height is 5 feet.

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

  1. How does the rate of increase in height change if the rate of pouring sand is increased?
  2. What would happen if the height was three times the radius instead of twice?
  3. How can you derive the formula for the volume of a cone from its geometric properties?
  4. What are the practical applications of understanding the rate of increase of conical piles?
  5. How would the calculations change if the sand was poured at a different rate?

Tip: When dealing with related rates, always establish relationships between quantities first to facilitate differentiation.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Related Rates
Geometry

Formulas

V = (1/3)πr^2h
h = 2r

Theorems

Volume of a cone
Related rates theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12