Answer:
Explanation:
Let x (t) is the distance of first car and the intersection at time t.
y(t) is the distance of second car and the intersection at time t.
z(t) is the distance between two cars at time t.
So,
[tex]z^{2}=x^{2}+y^{2}[/tex]
Differentiate both sides wit respect to t.
2zz' = 2xx' = 2yy'
z' = (xx' + yy') / z .... (1)
now
x(t = 4s) = 18 ft
y(t = 4s) = 27 ft
x' (t = 4 s) = 7 ft/s
y' (t = 4s) = 14 ft/s
So,
[tex]z^{2}=18^{2}+27^{2}[/tex]
z = 32.5 ft
So, z' = (18 x 7 + 27 x 14) / 32.5
z' = 15.5 ft/s
Thus, the rate of change of distance between two cars is 15.5 ft/s.