2023 TWO(e)

ExcellenceComprehensive
Question
A police helicopter is flying above a straight horizontal section of motorway chasing a speeding
car.

The helicopter is flying at a constant speed of and at a constant height of metres
above the ground. The helicopter is attempting to catch up with the car.

When the direct distance from the helicopter to the car is metres, the angle of depression, ,
between the horizontal and the line of sight from the helicopter to the car is increasing at a rate of
.
Loading diagram...
Calculate the speed of the car at this instant.

*You must use calculus and show any derivatives that you need to find when solving this problem.*
Full Solution

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Video Explanation
2023 NCEA L3 Calculus Exam Walkthrough by infinityplusone(starts at 42:04)
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