A -ft ladder rests against a vertical wall

MATHEMATICS · Single correct · AP · Calculus AB · Contextual Applications of Differentiation · Contextual Applications of Differentiation

Problem

A 1010-ft ladder rests against a vertical wall. Let xx be the horizontal distance (in feet) from the wall to the foot of the ladder and yy be the height (in feet) of the top of the ladder above the ground. At a certain instant the foot of the ladder is sliding directly away from the wall so that dxdt>0\dfrac{dx}{dt}>0. Which of the following best describes dydt\dfrac{dy}{dt} at that instant? (a) dydt=0\dfrac{dy}{dt}=0 (b) dydt>0\dfrac{dy}{dt}>0 (c) dydt<0\dfrac{dy}{dt}<0 (d) The sign of dydt\dfrac{dy}{dt} cannot be determined from the given information

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