Answer:
a) ds/dt = 25/3 ft/s
b) 10/3 ft/s
Step-by-step explanation:
Using the triangles and the ratios given
15 ft s
-------- = --------------
6 ft s-x
where s is the length from the lamppost to the shadow and x is the length from the lamppost to the man
Using cross products
15( s-x) = 6s
15s -15x = 6s
15s-6s = 15x
9s = 15x
s = 15/9 x
s = 5/3 x
Taking the derivative of each side with respect to time
ds/dt = 5/3 dx/dt
We know dx/dt = 5 ft/s
ds /dt = 5/3 * 5 = 25/3 ft/s
a) ds/dt = 25/3 ft/s
The length of the shadow is ( s-x)
d/dt ( s-x)
ds/dt - dx/dt
25/3 - 5
25/3 - 15/3
10/3 ft/s
b) 10/3 ft/s