Find the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point

In summary, we are asked to find the rate of change of the distance between a point on the curve and the origin, using the given distance formula. We parametrize the sinusoid and differentiate the formula with respect to $t$ to obtain an expression for $\frac{dD}{dt}$. Evaluating for $t=2$, we get a rate of change of approximately $1.64$ cm/sec.
  • #1
karush
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Find the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point on the graph of
$$y=\sin{x} \text{ if } \frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{2 \text{cm}}{\text {sec}}$$
 
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  • #2
You are asked to find the rate of change of the distance between a point on the curve and the origin, so you need to use the distance formula. Let's let $D(t)$ be this distance as a function of time $t$, and so we may state:

(1) \(\displaystyle D^2(t)=x^2(t)+y^2(t)\)

where we may parametrize the sinusoid as follows:

\(\displaystyle x(t)=2t\)

\(\displaystyle y(t)=\sin(2t)\)

Differentiate (1) with respect to $t$. Since you are not actually given an $x$-value at which to evaluate the rate of change $D'(t)$, it will be a function of $t$.
 
  • #3
$$
\displaystyle D^2(t)=x^2(t)+y^2(t)
\Rightarrow D^2(t)=4t^2+\sin^2{2t}$$
$$
\frac{dD}{dt}2D=8t + 4 \sin{2t}\cos{2t}
$$
$$
\frac{dD}{dt}D=4t + 2 \sin{2t}\cos{2t}
$$
$$
\frac{dD}{dt}D=4(2)+2\sin{(2\cdot2)}\cos{(2\cdot2)}\approx 9\frac{cm}{sec}
$$

don't think I understand the function of t in this??
 
  • #4
You have not solved for \(\displaystyle \frac{dD}{dt}\). I parametrized $x$ and $y$ since we are given \(\displaystyle \frac{dx}{dt}\). Does the problem state to find $D'(2)$?
 
  • #5
so you mean that

$D=\sqrt{4t^2+\sin^2{(2t)}}$

then take $\displaystyle\frac{d}{dt}$
 
  • #6
You could do that, but it is simpler to differentiate implicitly:

\(\displaystyle D^2(t)=x^2(t)+y^2(t)\)

\(\displaystyle 2D(t)\frac{dD}{dt}=2x(t)\frac{dx}{dt}+2y(t)\frac{dy}{dt}\)

Hence:

\(\displaystyle \frac{dD}{dt}=\frac{x(t)\frac{dx}{dt}+y(t)\frac{dy}{dt}}{D(t)}\)
 
  • #7
MarkFL said:
\(\displaystyle D^2(t)=x^2(t)+y^2(t)\)

\(\displaystyle 2D(t)\frac{dD}{dt}=2x(t)\frac{dx}{dt}+2y(t)\frac{dy}{dt}\)

Hence:

\(\displaystyle \frac{dD}{dt}=\frac{x(t)\frac{dx}{dt}+y(t)\frac{dy}{dt}}{D(t)}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dD}{dt}=
\frac{x(t)\frac{dx}{dt}+y(t)\frac{dy}{dt}}
{D(t)}\)

$$x(t)=2t $$
$$\displaystyle y(t)=\sin(2t)$$
$$t=2$$
$$\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{2 \text{cm}}{\text {sec}}$$

$$\displaystyle\frac{dD}{dt}=\frac{(2\cdot 2 )\frac{2 \text{cm}}{\text {sec}}+\sin{(2\cdot2)}\frac{dy}{dt}}
{D(t)}$$

what is $D(t)$ here?
 
  • #8
karush said:
\(\displaystyle \frac{dD}{dt}=
\frac{x(t)\frac{dx}{dt}+y(t)\frac{dy}{dt}}
{D(t)}\)

$$x(t)=2t $$
$$\displaystyle y(t)=\sin(2t)$$
$$t=2$$
$$\frac{dx}{dt}=\frac{2 \text{cm}}{\text {sec}}$$

$$\displaystyle\frac{dD}{dt}=\frac{(2\cdot 2 )\frac{2 \text{cm}}{\text {sec}}+\sin{(2\cdot2)}\frac{dy}{dt}}
{D(t)}$$

what is $D(t)$ here?

From the parametrization, we have:

\(\displaystyle D(t)=\sqrt{(2t)^2+\sin^2(2t)}\)
 
  • #9
$$
\displaystyle\frac{dD}{dt}
=\frac{(2\cdot 2 )\frac{2 \text{cm}}{\text {sec}}+2\cos{(2\cdot2)}}
{\displaystyle \sqrt{(2\cdot2)^2+\sin^2(2\cdot2)}}
\approx 1.64 cm/sec
$$

its stab in dark ...
 
  • #10
karush said:
$$
\displaystyle\frac{dD}{dt}
=\frac{(2\cdot 2 )\frac{2 \text{cm}}{\text {sec}}+2\cos{(2\cdot2)}}
{\displaystyle \sqrt{(2\cdot2)^2+\sin^2(2\cdot2)}}
\approx 1.64 cm/sec
$$

its stab in dark ...

That looks correct to me for $t=2$.
 

Related to Find the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point

1. What is the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point?

The rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point is the speed at which the distance is changing. It is the slope of the line connecting the origin and the moving point on a graph.

2. How do you calculate the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point?

The rate of change of the distance can be calculated using the formula: rate of change = change in distance / change in time. This can also be represented as a derivative in calculus.

3. What factors can affect the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point?

The main factors that can affect the rate of change of the distance are the speed of the moving point and the direction in which it is moving. Other factors can include external forces acting on the moving point, such as friction or gravity.

4. Why is it important to find the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point?

Finding the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point is important in many scientific fields, such as physics, engineering, and astronomy. It allows us to understand the motion and behavior of objects in relation to the origin and can help us make predictions about future movement.

5. How does the rate of change of the distance between the origin and a moving point relate to velocity?

The rate of change of the distance is directly related to velocity. Velocity is a measure of how fast an object is moving in a specific direction, and it can be calculated by multiplying the rate of change of the distance by the direction of motion. This relationship is represented by the formula: velocity = rate of change of distance * direction of motion.

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