Could someone help in the following Question "Related rate problem": A light at the top of a 16-ft pole. A boy 5 ft tall walks away from the pole at rate of 4 ft/sec. At what rate is the tip of his shadow moving when he is 18 ft from the pole? At what rate is the length of his shadow increasing?
Thanks for ur help.

Question

Could someone help in the following Question "Related rate problem": A light at the top of a 16-ft pole. A boy 5 ft tall walks away from the pole at rate of 4 ft/sec. At what rate is the tip of his shadow moving when he is 18 ft from the pole? At what rate is the length of his shadow increasing?
Thanks for ur help.

noelgreco · Answer

Your first step should be to draw a picture.

anonymous · Answer

I did it already. What should be the next step?

stacey · Answer

|dw:1348510307348:dw| I think this picture will help. You should be able to find the value of y in the picture and the relation between x and y. That should help to do the problem.