Calculus Related Rates Help

[WillowCannes]

Hi! We went over a question in lecture on Related Rates, but I didn't fully understand how to to to go through the solving process. If anyone can explain I would really appreciate it!

The question:
A landscape light at ground level lights up the side of a tall building that is 15 feet from the light. A 6-foot tall woman is walking from the light directly toward the building. How fast is the woman walking when she is 9 feet from the light if her shadow on the building is shrinking at 2 feet/second at that instant?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Hi! We went over a question in lecture on Related Rates, but I didn't fully understand how to to to go through the solving process. If anyone can explain I would really appreciate it!

The question:
A landscape light at ground level lights up the side of a tall building that is 15 feet from the light. A 6-foot tall woman is walking from the light directly toward the building. How fast is the woman walking when she is 9 feet from the light if her shadow on the building is shrinking at 2 feet/second at that instant?

First draw sketch and define the "variables". Something like:



In my sketch, WW' is the woman and OS is her shadow on the wall.

Fill out the dimensions of the knowns & definitions of the unknowns and show us your work.

We will continue from there.

 

[WillowCannes]

Does this sketch look correct?

 

[Deleted member 4993]

Does this sketch look correct?

It is correct but incomplete. You need to label all the points as I did.

Additionally, you need to post the picture in "correct" orientation. Nobody would risk their "neck" trying to work with your picture as posted.

 

[WillowCannes]

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