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# Related Rates Problem

A light shines from the top of a pole 50 ft high. A ball is dropped at the same height from a point 30 ft (this should be at the top of the picture)

How do you solve this problem?

Note by Asher Joy
3 years, 10 months ago

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Hi Asher! :)

First try writing a few equations that will link all knows . Have you come up with any equations?

- 3 years, 10 months ago

Hey Sameer! All I have/had so far was the pythag. theorem. I wasn't sure about how to relate the dropping ball.

- 3 years, 9 months ago

Hm do you see any similar triangles? Notice that s = 16t^2. How can you apply pythag using height (as a function of time)? Also I don't see you on aops that much! come back!

- 3 years, 9 months ago

I do(did) see similar triangles, but they have 2 unknowns and I wasn't sure about how to relate them. As for AoPS, I'm rather busy to come on often (but I do go on your ask.fm :P)

- 3 years, 9 months ago