Chapter 4: Problem 20
Assume that the radius \(r\) and the area \(A=\pi r^{2}\) of a circle are differentiable functions of \(t\). Express \(d A / d t\) in terms of \(d r / d t\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
\(\frac{dA}{dt} = 2\pi r \frac{dr}{dt}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify Given Information
We know that the area of a circle is given by the formula \(A = \pi r^2\), and both the radius \(r\) and the area \(A\) are functions of time \(t\). We need to find \(\frac{dA}{dt}\) in terms of \(\frac{dr}{dt}\).
02
Apply the Chain Rule
To find \(\frac{dA}{dt}\), we apply the chain rule for differentiation. Since \(A = \pi r^2\), we differentiate both sides with respect to \(t\), obtaining:\[ \frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt}(\pi r^2). \]
03
Differentiate the Expression
Using the chain rule on \(\pi r^2\), we have:\[\frac{d}{dt}(\pi r^2) = 2\pi r \cdot \frac{dr}{dt}\]Here, \(2\pi r\) is the derivative of \(\pi r^2\) with respect to \(r\), and we multiply by \(\frac{dr}{dt}\) since \(r\) is a function of \(t\).
04
Write the Final Expression
The expression for \(\frac{dA}{dt}\) is:\[\frac{dA}{dt} = 2\pi r \frac{dr}{dt}.\]This formula shows the rate of change of the area \(A\) in terms of the rate of change of the radius \(r\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding the Chain Rule
Differentiation is a powerful tool in calculus that helps us understand how quantities change. The chain rule is particularly useful when we have a function composed of another function. It allows us to differentiate complex relationships. Suppose we have a function of a function, for example, the area of a circle as a function of its radius, where the radius itself is a function of time. Here, we can apply the chain rule to find how the area changes with time.
- Consider a composite function: if we have a function \( A(r(t)) = \pi r^2 \), the chain rule helps us differentiate \( A \) with respect to \( t \).
- The chain rule states: \( \frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{dA}{dr} \cdot \frac{dr}{dt} \).
- In the context of the circle's area: since \( A = \pi r^2 \), we find \( \frac{dA}{dr} = 2 \pi r \), and multiply by \( \frac{dr}{dt} \).
The Role of Radius in Differentiation
The radius is a fundamental part of circle geometry and plays a crucial role in differentiation, especially when relating to areas and rates of change. Understanding how slight changes in the radius affect the overall circle can help us model various real-world scenarios.
- The formula for the area of a circle is \( A = \pi r^2 \), where \( r \) is the radius.
- When \( r \) changes, so does the area, and this is described through differentiation.
- If \( r \) is changing over time, it makes sense to look at how quickly these changes affect the area—this is where \( \frac{dr}{dt} \) comes in.
Exploring the Rate of Change
Understanding the rate of change is central to the study of calculus and applicable across various scientific domains. It tells us how a quantity evolves over a period of time. In the context of the circle, when the radius changes, it directly impacts the rate at which the area grows.
- The rate of change of any function with respect to time is given by its derivative with respect to that time period.
- For a circle's area: \( \frac{dA}{dt} = 2\pi r \frac{dr}{dt} \) shows how the change in radius controls the rate at which the area increases.
- This formula is significant because it connects the growth of the circle’s surface area with how fast its radius expands or contracts.