Miss Battaglia

AP Calculus AB/BC

Related rate problems

involve finding the
rate at which some
________
variable changes.

For example, when a

balloon is being blown up
with air, bothradius
the
volume
_____________
and the
________________ of the
balloon are changing.

In each case the rate is a

derivativethat has to be
___________
computed given the rate
at which some other
variable, like time, is
known to change.

To find this derivative we write an

equation that relates the two
variables. We then ____________
differentiate
both sides of the equation with
respect to ________
time to express the
derivative we SEEK in terms
of the derivative we KNOW.

Often the key to relating

the variables in this type of
problem is DRAWING A
PICTURE that shows the
geometric relationships
between the variables.

1.

2.
3.

4.

Identify and LABEL all the given info and

what you are asked to find. Draw a picture
if appropriate.
Write an EQUATION relating the variables.
Differentiate both sides of the equation
with respect to TIME.
Substitute and Solve. Sometimes you will
need to use the original equation or other
equations to solve for missing parts.

Let A be the Area of a circle of radius r. How

is dA/dt related to dr/dt?

Let V be the Volume of a cube of side length x.

How is dV/dt related to dx/dt?

Let V be the Volume of a sphere of radius r. How is

dV/dt related to dr/dt?

 2
V r h
3

Suppose x and y are both differentiable functions of t

and are related by the equationy x2 3 . Find dy/dt
when x=1, given that dx/dt=2.

A pebble is dropped into a calm pond, causing ripples in the

form of concentric circles. The radius r of the outer ripple is
increasing at a constant rate of 1 ft/sec. When the radius is 4
ft, at what rate is the total area A of the disturbed water
changing?

Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at a rate of 4.5 cubic

ft/min. Find the rate of change of the radius when the radius is 2
ft.

Read

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