A kite 100 ft above the ground

A kite 100 ft above the ground moves horizontally at a speed of 8 ft/s. At what rate is the angle between the string and the horizontal decreasing when 200 ft of string has been let out?

[TehBrian]

If you're here from Cengage, don't put a negative sign in your answer.

[Michael-iiey]

This is super helpful! Would you mind explaining why we choose cotan to begin with? It makes sense once we start differentiating but for a new problem, what is the process of choosing cotan over tan? (is it because x is more difficult to deal with when in the denominator?) Thanks!

[coleyoutubechannel]

Thank you so much. Very clear explanation of a commonly used problem in related rates.

[nataliegoold]

Really quick, cosine is hypotenuse over opposite rather than opposite over hypotenuse.