This is a related rates problem
This is a related rates problem
If you think about cube, there are two diagonals. One is a diagonal of a face(Df) and the other is a diagonal of a cube(Dc). Let's x is a length of the edge.
Then, Df = √(x2 + x2) = x √2 ----------------------(1)
Dc = √(x2 + x2 + x2) = x √3 ---------------(2)
Now, if you differentiate each equations for the time t,
d(Df)/dt = dx/dt times √2 -------------------(3)
d(Dc)/dt = dx/dt times √3 --------------------(4)
The edges are increasing at a rate of 2cm/s, this means that dx/dt = 2 cm/s in equation (3) and (4).
Therefore, d(Df)/dt = 2 √2 [cm/s]
and d(Dc)dt = 2√3 [cm/s]
I am not sure which diagonal does the problem want. Generally, the diagonal of a cube is Dc in here.
I hope this will help you.
For a cube of side 1, the outside (surface) diagonals are 2^(1/2). From Pythagoras, √(1^2 + 1^2) = (2)^(1/2).
The inside diagonal is found in a like manner, and is (3)^(1/2). Since everything must enlarge uniformly, the inside diagonal increases at (2 cm)(3)^(1/2), or 2√3 cm. The surface diagonal increases at 2√2 cm.
Comments
Thank you.
- Mariah F. from Gilbert, AZ 11/29/2012