Distance formula maximization problem

In summary, the problem is asking to find the location of an oil tanker and a luxury liner t hours after 8 P.M., when the tanker is traveling west at 18 km/h and the liner is traveling north at 23 km/h. The distance between them at that time can be represented by the function D(t) = sqrt((18t-18)^2 + (23t)^2), where t is the time in hours. The minimum distance between the two ships occurs at t = 0.3798 hours, when they are 11.311 kilometers apart.
  • #1
Niaboc67
249
3

Homework Statement


At 9 P.M. an oil tanker traveling west in the ocean at 18 kilometers per hour passes the same spot as a luxury liner that arrived at the same spot at 8 P.M. while traveling north at 23 kilometers per hour. If the "spot" is represented by the origin, find the location of the oil tanker and the location of the luxury liner t hours after 8 P.M. Then find the distance D between the oil tanker and the luxury liner at that time.

D(t) =

The Attempt at a Solution


T=18(t-1)

L=23t

T=18t-18 km west of the origin

L=23t km north of the origin

d=((18t-18)^2+(23t)^2)^(1/2)

d=(324t^2-648t+324+529t^2)^(1/2)

d=(853t^2-648t+324)^(1/2)

dd/dt=(853t-324)/(853t^2-648t+324)^(1/2...

dd/dt=0 only when 853t=324

t=0.3798h

d(.3798)=
So, here is where I am unsure about the answer
Plugging back into the original sqrt( (18t-18)^2 + (23t)^2 )
d(0.3798) = sqrt( (18(0.3798) - 18)^2 + (23(0.3798))^2 ) = 11.311

Is this what you guys got? I am on my last try on my homework and am very unsure about the work here.

Thank you
 
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  • #2
Niaboc67 said:

Homework Statement


At 9 P.M. an oil tanker traveling west in the ocean at 18 kilometers per hour passes the same spot as a luxury liner that arrived at the same spot at 8 P.M. while traveling north at 23 kilometers per hour. If the "spot" is represented by the origin, find the location of the oil tanker and the location of the luxury liner t hours after 8 P.M. Then find the distance D between the oil tanker and the luxury liner at that time.

D(t) =

The Attempt at a Solution


T=18(t-1)

L=23t

T=18t-18 km west of the origin

L=23t km north of the origin

d=((18t-18)^2+(23t)^2)^(1/2)

d=(324t^2-648t+324+529t^2)^(1/2)

d=(853t^2-648t+324)^(1/2)
You can stop here. All that is asked for is the distance between the two ships as a function of t. I don't know why you're taking the derivative in the following steps.
Niaboc67 said:
dd/dt=(853t-324)/(853t^2-648t+324)^(1/2...

dd/dt=0 only when 853t=324

t=0.3798h

d(.3798)=
So, here is where I am unsure about the answer
Plugging back into the original sqrt( (18t-18)^2 + (23t)^2 )
d(0.3798) = sqrt( (18(0.3798) - 18)^2 + (23(0.3798))^2 ) = 11.311

Is this what you guys got? I am on my last try on my homework and am very unsure about the work here.

Thank you
 
  • #3
Niaboc67 said:

Homework Statement


At 9 P.M. an oil tanker traveling west in the ocean at 18 kilometers per hour passes the same spot as a luxury liner that arrived at the same spot at 8 P.M. while traveling north at 23 kilometers per hour. If the "spot" is represented by the origin, find the location of the oil tanker and the location of the luxury liner t hours after 8 P.M. Then find the distance D between the oil tanker and the luxury liner at that time.

D(t) =

The Attempt at a Solution


T=18(t-1)

L=23t

T=18t-18 km west of the origin

L=23t km north of the origin

d=((18t-18)^2+(23t)^2)^(1/2)

d=(324t^2-648t+324+529t^2)^(1/2)

d=(853t^2-648t+324)^(1/2)

dd/dt=(853t-324)/(853t^2-648t+324)^(1/2...

dd/dt=0 only when 853t=324

t=0.3798h

d(.3798)=
So, here is where I am unsure about the answer
Plugging back into the original sqrt( (18t-18)^2 + (23t)^2 )
d(0.3798) = sqrt( (18(0.3798) - 18)^2 + (23(0.3798))^2 ) = 11.311

Is this what you guys got? I am on my last try on my homework and am very unsure about the work here.

Thank you
Looks like you left part of the problem off. Are you trying to find t where the ships were a minimum distance apart? You have the correct value of t for the global minimum of the distance function., but you did something wrong when plugging in. Simple arithmetic error http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=sqrt(+(18(0.3798)+-+18)^2+++(23(0.3798))^2+)
 

Related to Distance formula maximization problem

What is the distance formula maximization problem?

The distance formula maximization problem is a mathematical problem that involves finding the maximum distance between two points on a coordinate plane. It is commonly used in optimization and geometry problems.

How do you solve the distance formula maximization problem?

The distance formula maximization problem can be solved by first identifying the two points on the coordinate plane and then using the distance formula to calculate the distance between them. The maximum distance between the two points will be the solution to the problem.

What is the distance formula?

The distance formula is a mathematical formula used to calculate the distance between two points on a coordinate plane. It is given by d = √[(x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2], where (x1, y1) and (x2, y2) are the coordinates of the two points.

What are some real-life applications of the distance formula maximization problem?

The distance formula maximization problem has many real-life applications, such as finding the maximum distance between two cities on a map, maximizing the distance of a golf shot, or optimizing the placement of antennas for maximum coverage.

Can the distance formula maximization problem be extended to three or more dimensions?

Yes, the distance formula maximization problem can be extended to three or more dimensions. In three dimensions, the formula becomes d = √[(x2 - x1)^2 + (y2 - y1)^2 + (z2 - z1)^2]. The concept can also be extended to higher dimensions by adding more terms to the formula.

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