Coughing forces the trachea (windpipe) to contract, which in turn affects the velocity of the air through the trachea. The velocity of the air during coughing can be modeled by v = k(R – r)r2, 0 ≤ r < R, where k is a constant, R is the normal radius of the trachea, and r is the radius during coughing. What radius r will produce the maximum air velocity?

Respuesta :

To find the maximum velocity you have to differentiate the function respect to r.

v = k(R - r)r^2 = kRr^2 - krr^2 = kRr^2 - kr^3

k and R are constants.

=> v' = 2kRr - 3kr^2 = kr(2R - 3r)

maximum velocity => v' = 0 => kr(2R - 3r) = 0

r = 0 or 2R - 3r = 0 => r = 2R / 3

Answer: r = 2R / 3