3. A cube of ice melts without changing shape at the uniform rate of 4 cm3/min. What is the rate of change of the surface area of the cube, in cm2/min, when the volume of the cube is 125 cm3?
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A. -4 |
B. –16/5 |
C. –16/6 |
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D. 60/19 |
E. 16/5 |
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Solution: The answer is B
Let,
S = the length of the sides of a cube
A = the surface are of a cube = 6S2
V = the volume of a cube = S3
The rate at which the ice melts is given by,

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However,

So,

We are looking for the rate of change of the surface area of the cube, which is given by,

When the volume of the cube is 125 cm3, S = 5cm, and so
