A square metal plate is expanding as it is heated

MATHEMATICS · Subjective · AP · Calculus AB · Contextual Applications of Differentiation · Contextual Applications of Differentiation

Problem

A square metal plate is expanding as it is heated. At the moment its side length is 12 cm, the area is increasing at a rate of 18 cm

^{2}

/s. Determine whether the side length is increasing or decreasing at that instant and briefly explain your reasoning.