A man of height \(2 \mathrm{~m}\) walks at a uniform speed of \(7 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{min}\) away from a…

A man of height \(2 \mathrm{~m}\) walks at a uniform speed of \(7 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{min}\) away from a lamp post of height \(9 \mathrm{~m}\). The rate \((\mathrm{m} / \mathrm{min})\) at which the length of his shadow increases is
  1. 2
  2. \(\frac{5}{2}\)
  3. 3
  4. \(\frac{7}{2}\)

Solution

Let \(A B\) be the lamp-post and \(P Q\) the man, \(C P\) be his shadow at time \(t\). Let \(A P={ }^` x, P C=y\), Also \(A B=9 \mathrm{~m}, P Q=2 \mathrm{~m}\) Now, \(\triangle C A B\) and \(\triangle C P Q\) are equiangular and hence similar.
\(\begin{aligned} & \therefore \quad \frac{P C}{A C}=\frac{P Q}{A B} \\ & \Rightarrow \quad \frac{y}{x+y}=\frac{2}{9} \\ & \Rightarrow \quad 9 y=2 x+2 y \\ & \Rightarrow \quad 7 y=2 x \\ & \Rightarrow \quad x=\frac{7}{2} y \\ & \Rightarrow \quad \frac{d x}{d t}=\frac{7}{2} \frac{d y}{d t} \text { (differentiating w.r.t. } t \text {) } \\ & \text { But } \quad \frac{d x}{d t}=7 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{min} \\ & \therefore \quad 7=\frac{7}{2} \frac{d y}{d t} \\ & \Rightarrow \quad \frac{d y}{d t}=2 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{min} \end{aligned}\) \(\therefore\) Length of shadow is increases at \(2 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{min}\).

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2019 (22 Apr Shift 1)

Practice more Heights and Distances questions on Aicharya