A radar station at ground level tracks an airplane flying horizontally at a constant…

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

Problem

A radar station at ground level tracks an airplane flying horizontally at a constant altitude of

3\text{ km}

. If the angle of elevation to the plane is

0.5\text{ rad}

and decreasing at

0.02\text{ rad/min}

, what is the rate at which the horizontal distance between the radar and the plane is changing at that instant? (a)

0.23\text{ km/min}

(b)

-0.26\text{ km/min}

(c)

0.26\text{ km/min}

(d)

0.18\text{ km/min}