Related Rate Bungee Problem Question

[Loppyfoot]

Homework Statement

A bungee jumper has reached a point in her exciting plunge where the taut cord is 100 feet long with a 1/2 inch radius and stretching. She is still 80 feet above the ground and is now falling at 40 feet per second. You are observing her jump from a spot on the ground 60 feet from the potential point of impact.

- From your observation point, at what rate is the angle of elevation to the jumper changing?

So, without a diagram, x=60, y= 80 and you have to solve for dΘ/dt. So the hypotenuse value would be 100 at this moment.

My Question: I understand mostly the implicit differentiation, but Why when I solve for dΘ/dt, i need to use the 100 feet for hypotenuse? Isn't the hypotenuse changing?

The Attempt at a Solution

My equation for this question is sinΘ=y/100 . But why do I use 100 if it is changing?

 

[LCKurtz]

You shouldn't use the 100 for the equation. You have x = 60 (constant), y is variable, and the hypotenuse h = sqrt(y²+ 60²). So as y varies, h varies as you have observed. So your equation that you differentiate with respect to time should be:

[tex]y = h\sin{\theta} = \sqrt{y^2 + 60^2}\ \sin\theta[/tex]

Differentiate that for the related rate equation and put your "snapshot values" in the resulting related rates equation.