Related Rates Problem

A light shines from the top of a pole 50 ft high. A ball is dropped at the same height from a point 30 ft (this should be at the top of the picture)

How do you solve this problem?

#RelatedRates

Easy Math Editor

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`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$

Comments

Hi Asher! :)

First try writing a few equations that will link all knows . Have you come up with any equations?

Sameer L. - 7 years ago

Hey Sameer! All I have/had so far was the pythag. theorem. I wasn't sure about how to relate the dropping ball.

Asher Joy - 7 years ago

Hm do you see any similar triangles? Notice that s = 16t^2. How can you apply pythag using height (as a function of time)? Also I don't see you on aops that much! come back!

Sameer L. - 7 years ago

@Sameer L. – I do(did) see similar triangles, but they have 2 unknowns and I wasn't sure about how to relate them. As for AoPS, I'm rather busy to come on often (but I do go on your ask.fm :P)

Asher Joy - 7 years ago

Math	Appears as
Remember to wrap math in `\(` ... `\)` or `\[` ... `\]` to ensure proper formatting.
`2 \times 3`	$2 \times 3$
`2^{34}`	$2^{34}$
`a_{i-1}`	$a_{i-1}$
`\frac{2}{3}`	$\frac{2}{3}$
`\sqrt{2}`	$\sqrt{2}$
`\sum_{i=1}^3`	$\sum_{i=1}^3$
`\sin \theta`	$\sin \theta$
`\boxed{123}`	$\boxed{123}$