Related Rates

Len Patrick Dominic M. Garces

lgarces@ateneo.edu
Ateneo de Manila University
Department of Mathematics

November 8, 2014

Garces, L. P. D. M. (ADMU)

Related Rates

November 8, 2014

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Introduction
So far, we have been dealing with how y, as a function of x, changes upon
changes made in x. This idea is captured by the derivative of y w.r.t. x,
denoted by dy/dx. Hence, our analysis so far has been two-dimensional.
Now we add a third dimension: time. That is, we will assume that while
x and y are related, both of them are functions of time t.
These types of problem employ implicit differentiation; and as such, we
will encounter derivatives of x and y with respect to t.
Since x and y are related by some equation, then we can also construct an
equation that relates dx/dt with dy/dt.
With this in mind, the related rates problem is a problem in which the
instantaneous change in dy/dt at some point (x0 , y0 ) is known, and we
want to solve for dx/dt given these information.

Garces, L. P. D. M. (ADMU)

Related Rates

November 8, 2014

2 / 4

Strategies in Solving Related-Rates Problems

1

Draw a diagram if it will prove useful;

Identify all relevant variables and introduce notation; assign symbols that
are functions of time;

Express all given rates and rates to be found as derivatives;

Write an equation relating the variables identified in (2). If necessary, use

the geometry of the situation to eliminate one of the variables by
substitution;

Use implicit differentiation and the chain rule on both sides of the
equation with respect to time;

Substitute the given information in the problem to solve for the unknown
rate.

Garces, L. P. D. M. (ADMU)

Related Rates

November 8, 2014

3 / 4

Examples
1

Assume Clark and Lana leave Smallville Stadium from the same point at
the same time. If Clark runs south at 4 mph and Lana runs West at 3
mph, how fast will the distance between them be changing at 10 hours?
LuthorCorp Industries hires Professor Patel to calculate the revenue and
cost of their best-selling pesticide. Professor Patel finds that the revenue
x2
is R(x) = 700x
and the cost is C(x) = 300 + 4x, where x is the
5000
number of gallons of pesticide produced each week. If the rate of
production is increasing by 50 gallons per week, and current production is
at 300 gallons per week, find the rate of change in the revenue, the cost,
and the profit.

A particle is moving along the graph of y = x. At what point on the

curve are the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the particle changing at
the same rate?

Garces, L. P. D. M. (ADMU)

Related Rates

November 8, 2014

4 / 4

Examples
4

A streetlight is 15 ft. above the sidewalk. Jonathan, who is 7 ft. tall

walks away from the light at a rate of 5 ft. per second
1
2

Determine a function relating the length of Jonathans shadow to his

distance from the base of the street light.
Find the rate at which Jonathans shadow is lengthening at the moment he
is 20 ft. away from the base of the light.

Garces, L. P. D. M. (ADMU)

Related Rates

November 8, 2014

5 / 4