29. Let \( a \) and \( b \) be functions of time \( t \) such that the sum of \( a \) and three times \( b \) is constant. Which of the following equations describes the relationship between the rate of change of \( a \) with respect to time and the rate of change of \( b \) with respect to time?






Answer is: option2

\(\frac{da}{dt} = -3 \frac{db}{dt}\)

Solution:

We are given that the sum of \( a \) and three times \( b \) is constant:

\( a + 3b = C \)

where \( C \) is a constant.

Since \( C \) is constant, we differentiate both sides of the equation:

\( \frac{d}{dt} (a + 3b) = \frac{d}{dt} (C) \)

Since the derivative of a constant is zero, this simplifies to:

\( \frac{da}{dt} + 3 \frac{db}{dt} = 0 \)

From the given answer choices:

  • (A) \( \frac{da}{dt} = 3 \frac{db}{dt} \) → Incorrect.
  • (B) \( \frac{da}{dt} = -3 \frac{db}{dt} \) → Correct.
  • (C) \( 3 \frac{da}{dt} + \frac{db}{dt} = 0 \) → Incorrect. because the coefficients are swapped.
  • (D) \( \frac{da}{dt} + 3 \frac{db}{dt} = F \), where \( F \) is a function of \( t \) → Incorrect since \( F = 0 \) in our case.

Thus, the correct answer is:

(B) \( \frac{da}{dt} = -3 \frac{db}{dt} \)

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