Right circular cylinder The total surface area S of a right circular cylinder is related to the base radius r and height h by the equation S = 2πr² + 2πrh.


d. How is dr/dt related to dh/dt if S is constant?

Verified step by step guidance

1. Start by understanding the problem: We have a right circular cylinder with a constant total surface area S, and we need to find the relationship between the rates of change of the radius (dr/dt) and the height (dh/dt).
2. Given the surface area formula S = 2πr² + 2πrh, differentiate both sides with respect to time t. Since S is constant, its derivative with respect to time is zero.
3. Apply the chain rule to differentiate the right side: dS/dt = 0 = d/dt(2πr²) + d/dt(2πrh).
4. Differentiate each term: The derivative of 2πr² with respect to t is 4πr(dr/dt), and the derivative of 2πrh with respect to t is 2πr(dh/dt) + 2πh(dr/dt).
5. Set up the equation from the derivatives: 0 = 4πr(dr/dt) + 2πr(dh/dt) + 2πh(dr/dt). Solve this equation for dr/dt in terms of dh/dt, r, and h.

Key Concepts

Implicit Differentiation

Implicit differentiation is a technique used to find the derivative of a function when it is not explicitly solved for one variable in terms of another. In this context, it allows us to differentiate the surface area equation with respect to time, treating both the radius and height as functions of time. This method is essential for relating the rates of change of the radius and height when the surface area is held constant.

Related Rates

Related rates involve finding the relationship between the rates of change of two or more variables that are related by an equation. In this problem, we are interested in how the rate of change of the radius (dr/dt) is connected to the rate of change of the height (dh/dt) while keeping the surface area constant. Understanding this concept is crucial for solving problems where multiple quantities change simultaneously.

Surface Area of a Cylinder

The surface area of a right circular cylinder is given by the formula S = 2πr² + 2πrh, which includes both the area of the circular bases and the lateral surface area. This formula is fundamental to the problem as it establishes the relationship between the radius, height, and surface area. Recognizing how changes in r and h affect S is key to determining the relationship between dr/dt and dh/dt when S is constant.