Related Rates - Differentiation An airplane is flying at an altitude of 8 miles and passes over a radar station. When the airplane is 12 miles from the base of the station, the radar detects that its horizontal distance is changing at a rate of 320 mph. Find how fast the airplane is flying at this point in time.


The question asks to find the speed of the airplane. I know $\displaystyle speed = \frac{distance}{time}$. And, in this case, if I were to draw a right triangle with the radar station and airplane, I get the distance as $\sqrt{80}$ miles. How do I then find time? Do I even have to find time?

If it helps, the answer is 160 mph
This question is dumb

Answer is 238 mph

CALCULUS IS LIFE

this question is bad because no life because no calculus

dx/dt = 320
dy/dt = 0
solve for change in hypotenuse  

x^2 + y^2 = C^2
differentiate with respect to time
This question is dumb

Answer is 238 mph

CALCULUS IS LIFE

this question is bad because no life because no calculus

dx/dt = 320
dy/dt = 0
solve for change in hypotenuse  

x^2 + y^2 = C^2
differentiate with respect to time