Basic Calculus

Quarter 3 – Module 12:

Related Rates Problems
 What I Know

I. For items 1 to 4, answer the following questions taken from the word problem
below. Write your answers on a sheet of paper.

Two variables 𝑥 and 𝑦 are both differentiable functions of 𝑡 and are related by the
equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 10. Given that 𝑑𝑥 ⁄𝑑𝑡 = 3 when 𝑥 = 2. Find 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡 when 𝑥 = 2.

1. What is being asked in the problem?

A. derivative of 𝑥 with respect to 𝑡
B. derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑡
C. derivative of 𝑧 with respect to 𝑡
D. derivative of 𝑡 with respect to 𝑡

2. Which is the set of correct quantities based on the word problem?

A. 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡 = 3 when 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 10
B. 𝑑𝑥 ⁄𝑑𝑡 = 3 when 𝑦 = 2 and 𝑥 = 𝑦 2 + 10
C. 𝑑𝑧⁄𝑑𝑡 = 3 when 𝑦 = 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑦 2 + 10
D. 𝑑𝑥 ⁄𝑑𝑡 = 3 when 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 10

3. Taking the derivative of the related equation, 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 10 with respect to time,

will result to _____.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
A. = 2𝑥 C. =𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
B. = 2𝑥 D. = 𝑥2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

4. Once the answers from previous questions, 1 to 3, are complete, solve the
word problem above. Choose the correct answer below.
A. 10 C. 12
B. 11 D. 13

II. In items 5 to 8, answer the following questions taken from the word problem
below. Write the letter of the correct answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Assume that a point is moving along the graph 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 + 3. The horizontal rate of
change is 𝑑𝑥 ⁄𝑑𝑡 = 3 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠. Find its 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡 when 𝑥 = −1.

5. The problem is about evaluating its horizontal rate of change. True or False?
A. True C. Maybe
B. False D. Sometimes

6. Below are the quantities given based on the problem above except for one.
Which item is this?
A. 𝑥 = −1 𝑑𝑥
C. = 3
𝑐𝑚
𝑑𝑡 𝑠
B. 𝑥 = 4𝑦 2 + 3
D. 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 +3

2
 7. Getting the derivative of the equation, 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 + 3 with respect to time, will
result to _____.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
A. = 8𝑥 C. = 8𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
B. = 8𝑥 D. = 8𝑥 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

8. From your answers in questions 5 to 7, solve the answer for the word problem
presented above.
A. −21𝑐𝑚 ⁄𝑠 C. −23𝑐𝑚 ⁄𝑠
B. −22𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 D. −24𝑐𝑚 ⁄𝑠

III. In items 9 to 12, answer the following questions taken from the word problem
below. Write your answer on your paper.

For instance, a point is navigating along the graph 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 = 48. When the point is
at A(3, 2) its 𝑥-coordinate is decreasing at the rate of 0.5 unit per second. How fast is
the y-coordinate changing at that moment? (see figure 1 below for its illustration.)

Graph of 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 = 48
Point
A(3, 2)

Figure 1

9. What is asked in the problem?

A. derivative of 𝑥 with respect to 𝑡 C. derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑡
B. derivative of 𝑧 with respect to 𝑡 D. derivative of 𝑡 with respect to 𝑡

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10. Below are the quantities presented in the problem except for one item. Which
one is this?
A. 𝐴(3, 2) C.
𝑑𝑥
= −0.5
𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐
B. 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 = 48 𝑑𝑥 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
D. = 0.5
𝑑𝑡 𝑠𝑒𝑐

11. The derivative of the graph 4𝑥 2 + 3𝑦 2 = 48 with respect to time is what?

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
A. 6𝑦 + 8𝑥 = 0 C. 8𝑦 + 6𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
B. 8𝑥 + 6𝑦 =0 D. 6𝑥 + 8𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

12. From your answers in questions 9 to 11, solve the word problem presented
above. Choose the correct answer below.
A. 1 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 C. 3 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
B. 2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 D. 4 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
IV. For items 13 to 15, answer each item. Write your answer on a sheet of paper.

13. Tell whether the related rates problem differentiates quantities with respect
to time.
A. True C. Maybe
B. False D. Sometimes

14. Tell whether a mathematical expression that relates other quantities involved
in a problem is not a related rate equation.
A. True C. Maybe
B. False D. Sometimes

15. Tell whether an implicit differentiation helps in solving related rates

problems. True or False?
A. False B. True

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 Lesson

1 Related Rates Problems

One of the challenging lessons in Calculus is related rates problems. Simply because
it is the application of derivatives in real-life situations and each one requires
multiple approach in solving the problem. In this lesson, there are guides that will
help learners understand and know how to start solving such problems.

What’s In

Match items in Column A with its derivative in Column B. Write your answer on a
sheet of paper.
Column A Column B

1. 𝑥 + 𝑦 = 6 A. 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑥 = 1

2. 𝑦 2 + 3𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 5 B. 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑥 = −1

3. 5𝑦 − 4𝑥 = 𝑥 + 7 C. 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑥 = 3/2

4. 2𝑦 − 3𝑥 = 10 D. 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑥 =
6𝑥−3
2𝑦

What’s New

Do you recall the steps in solving mathematical word problems? Enumerate them
and write your answers on your paper.

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 What is It

Related rates refer to the ratio of two or more quantities which are closely related or
affiliated to each other. Often these related quantities vary with respect to time.

Conventionally, related rates problem features finding the rate of change of one
quantity that has relationship with the other. The application of implicit
differentiation is very helpful in solving such word problem.

Below are some helpful guides in solving related rates problems.

1. Read and understand the problem carefully.
2. Identify and write down all given quantities and quantities to be determined.
Make a sketch or draw a diagram based on the given word problem whenever
necessary.
3. Write a mathematical relation or equation that relates all variables concerned
including its rate of change.
4. Apply implicit differentiation on the chosen equation.
5. Substitute all given quantities in the equation.
6. Solve for the required rate of change. Use algebraic manipulation whenever
necessary.

Example 1

Given two variables 𝑎 and 𝑏 which are both differentiable functions of 𝑡. They
are related by the equation 𝑏 = 𝑎2 − 7. Given that 𝑑𝑎⁄𝑑𝑡 = 2, find 𝑑𝑏⁄𝑑𝑡 when
𝑎 = 4.

Explanation Solution

Identification of quantities Rate of change of b with respect to time t, 𝑑𝑏⁄𝑑𝑡 =?

that are given and needs to
Related rates equation, 𝑏 = 𝑎2 − 7
be determined in the
problem.
Rate of change of a with respect to time t, 𝑑𝑎⁄𝑑𝑡 = 2

Coordinate, 𝑎 = 4

Use the given related 𝑏 = 𝑎2 − 7

equation and take its
derivatives on both terms

6
with respect to 𝑡 or time. 𝑑(𝑏) 𝑑(𝑎2 − 7)
=
(Note, apply implicit 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
differentiation and other
derivative rules depending 𝑑𝑏 𝑑(𝑎2 ) 𝑑(7)
= −
on the given equation.) 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑏 𝑑𝑎
= 2𝑎 −0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

Substitute the given

quantities on the resulting 𝑑𝑏 𝑑𝑎
= 2𝑎
equation to get the answer. 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑏
= 2(4)(2)
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑏
= 16
𝑑𝑡
Example 2

Assume that a point is moving along the graph 𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 = 12. When the
point is at (−2, 2), its 𝑥-coordinate is increasing at the rate of 0.4 unit per
second. How fast is the y-coordinate changing at that moment? (note: see
figure 2 below.)

Point (-2, 2) Graph of 𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 = 12

2)

Figure 2
Note: All graphing and plotting of coordinates was created through GeoGebra and
Desmos Graphing Calculators. Visit www.geogebra.org and www.desmos.com to
learn how to use their free online graph calculator application.

7
 Explanation Solution

Identification of quantities Rate of change of y with respect to time t, 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡 =?

that are given and needs to
be determined in the Related rates equation, 𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 12
2 2

problem. Rate of change of x with respect to time t,

𝑑𝑥 ⁄𝑑𝑡 = 0.4 unit/sec.

Coordinate, (−2, 2)

Use the given related 𝑥 2 + 2𝑦 2 = 12

equation and take its
derivatives on both terms 𝑑(𝑥 2 ) 𝑑(2𝑦 2 ) 𝑑(12)
+ =
with respect to 𝑡 or time. 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
(Apply implicit 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
differentiation and other 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
derivative rules depending
on the given equation.)

Substitute the given 𝑑𝑦

(2)(−2)(0.4 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 ) + 4(2) =0
quantities on the resulting 𝑑𝑡
equation and apply 𝑑𝑦
algebraic manipulation to −1.6 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 + 8 =0
𝑑𝑡
get the value of 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡.

𝑑𝑦
8 = 1.6 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑦
8
𝑑𝑡 = 1.6 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
8 8

𝑑𝑦
= 0.2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑑𝑡
Note: always include the
unit of the resulting value.

Example 3
A wooden plank stands on the ground and leans against a brick wall. The
plank is 7 feet long. The base of the plank is slipping away from the wall at
the rate of 2.5 feet per second. How fast is the top of the wooden plank slipping
down when it is 5 feet above the horizontal ground?

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 𝑧 = 7 𝑓𝑡.

Figure 3

Explanation Solution

Identification of quantities
that are given and needs to
Rate of change of y with respect to time t, 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡 =?
be determined in the
problem. Related rates equation, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑧 2

(Note 1: Since the plank Wooden plank measurement, 𝑧 = 7 ft.

that leans on the wall
forms a right triangle, the (Movement of plank at its bottom part) Rate of
Pythagorean equation change of x with respect to time, 𝑑𝑥 ⁄𝑑𝑡 = 2.5 ft./sec.
suites the related rates
The vertical distance from the ground, 𝑦 = 5𝑓𝑡.
equation.)
(Note 2: the horizontal rate
is increasing therefore
𝑑𝑥⁄𝑑𝑡 is a positive.)

Use the related equation 𝑥2 + 𝑦2 = 𝑧2

and take its derivatives on
both terms with respect to 𝑑(𝑥 2 ) 𝑑(𝑦 2 ) 𝑑(7)
+ =
𝑡 or time. (Apply implicit 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
differentiation and other 𝑧 = 7ft which is a constant,
derivative rules depending
on the given equation.)
Therefore,

9
(Note on this situation, the 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =0
variable 𝑧 is a constant 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
because it has a fixed
measurement.)

Substitute the given 𝑑𝑦

(2)(𝑥)(2.5 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 ) + (2)(5𝑓𝑡) =0
quantities on the resulting 𝑑𝑡
equation and apply
Solving for the value of 𝑥,
algebraic manipulation to
get the value of 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡. 𝑧2 = 𝑥2 + 𝑦2
𝑥 = √𝑧 2 − 𝑦 2
(Note 1: since the value of 𝑥
𝑥 = √72 − 52
is not directly given, we
can get it by using the 𝑥 = √74 or ≈ 8.6 ft
Pythagorean theorem
𝑑𝑦
equation.) Solving for the value of ,
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑦
(2)(8.6𝑓𝑡)(2.5 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 ) + (2)(5𝑓𝑡) =0
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑦
43 𝑓𝑡 2 ⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐 + 10 𝑓𝑡 =0
𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑦
10 𝑓𝑡 = −43 𝑓𝑡 2 ⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑦
10 𝑓𝑡 2
Note 2: the negative sign 𝑑𝑡 = −43 𝑓𝑡 ⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
10 𝑓𝑡 10 𝑓𝑡
denotes the downward
direction of the motion of
the plank. Always include
the unit of the resulting 𝑑𝑦
= −4.3 𝑓𝑡⁄𝑠𝑒𝑐
value. 𝑑𝑡

10
 What’s More

Using related rates problem-solving method, solve for each item. Write your answers
on a sheet of paper.

Table 1

Find Given Related Rates Equation

1.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
= 4, when 𝑥 = 3 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 2
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

2.
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
= 2, when 𝑥 = 2 𝑦 = 𝑥3 + 4
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

3.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
= 2, when 𝑥 = −3 and 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 18
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑦=3

What I Have Learned

Apply what you have learned in this lesson by answering the questions below. Write
your answers on a sheet of paper. (5pts. each)

1. Describe related rates problem.

2. How can you solve related rates problems?

11
 What I Can Do

Solve the related rates problem below. Write your answer on a sheet of paper.

A surfboard 9 ft. long stands on the ground and leans against a wall. Due to a
strong external force, the bottom part of the board moves horizontally against the
wall at a rate of 0.8 ft./sec. How fast is the top of the surfboard moving up the wall
when its bottom part is 4 ft. from the wall? (See Figure 4)

Figure 4

12
 Assessment

I. For items 1 to 4, answer each item taken from the word problem. Write your
answer on your paper.

Two variables 𝑎 and 𝑏 are both differentiable functions of 𝑡 and are related by the
equation 𝑏 = 2𝑎2 − 5. Given that 𝑑𝑎⁄𝑑𝑡 = 5. Find 𝑑𝑏⁄𝑑𝑡 when 𝑎 = 3.

1. What is being asked on the problem?

A. derivative of 𝑥 with respect to 𝑡 C. derivative of 𝑏 with respect to 𝑡

B. derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑡 D. derivative of 𝑎 with respect to 𝑡

2. Which are the correct quantities based on the word problem?

A. 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡 = 5 when 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 5

B. 𝑑𝑎⁄𝑑𝑡 = 5, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎 = 3 and 𝑏 = 2𝑎2 − 5
C. 𝑑𝑥⁄𝑑𝑡 = 5, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑦 = 3 and 𝑥 = 2𝑦 2 − 5
D. 𝑑𝑏⁄𝑑𝑡 = 5 when 𝑏 = 3 and 𝑎 = 2𝑏 2 − 5

3. Taking the derivative of the related equation 𝑏 = 2𝑎2 − 5 with respect to time
results to ___.
𝑑𝑎 𝑑𝑏 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
A. = 4𝑏 C. = 4𝑦
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑏 𝑑𝑎
B. = 4𝑥 D. = 4𝑎
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

4. Once done from questions 1 to 3, solve the word problem given above.
A. 40 C. 60

B. 50 D. 70

II. In items 5 to 9, answer each item taken from the word problem below. Write
your answers on your paper.

Imagine that a point is moving along the graph 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2 + 3𝑥. The horizontal rate of
change is 𝑑𝑥 ⁄𝑑𝑡 = 3 𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 . Find its 𝑑𝑦⁄𝑑𝑡 when 𝑥 = −2.

5. The problem is about evaluating its vertical rate of change. True or False?

A. True C. Maybe
B. False D. Sometimes

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 6. Below are the quantities found in the problem except for one. Which item is it?

A. 𝑥 = −2 C.
𝑑𝑥
=3
𝑐𝑚
𝑑𝑡 𝑠
B. 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2 + 3𝑥
D. 𝑥 = 5𝑦 2 + 3
7. Getting the derivative of the equation, 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 with respect to time, will
result to _____.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
A. = 10𝑥 +3 C. = 10𝑥 +3
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
B. = 3𝑥 + 10 D. = 3𝑥 + 10
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

8. From questions 5 to 7, solve the word problem above. Choose the correct
answer below.

A. −48𝑐𝑚 ⁄𝑠 C. −50𝑐𝑚 ⁄𝑠
B. −49𝑐𝑚⁄𝑠 D. −51𝑐𝑚 ⁄𝑠
9. The negative sign at the answer in question number 8 denotes an increasing
rate.

A. True C. Maybe
B. False D. Sometimes

III. In items 10 to 13, answer each of the items taken from the word problem below.
Write your answer on a sheet of paper.

A point is moving along the graph, 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 5. At point (−2, 1 ), its 𝑥-coordinate is

increasing at the rate of 0.6 unit per minute. How fast is the y-coordinate changing
at that moment? (See Figure 5)

Figure 5.

14
 10.What is asked in the problem?

A. derivative of 𝑎 with respect to 𝑡

B. derivative of 𝑧 with respect to 𝑡
C. derivative of 𝑥 with respect to 𝑡
D. derivative of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑡

11. Which one refers to the quantities presented in the problem?

A. (−2, 1) C.
𝑑𝑥
= −0.6
𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
𝑑𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑥 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡
B. 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 5 D. = 0.6
𝑑𝑡 𝑚𝑖𝑛

12. The derivative of the graph 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 5 with respect to time is _____.

𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
A. 𝑦 +𝑥 =0 C. −2𝑦 + 2𝑥 =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑦
B. 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 =0 D. −𝑥 +𝑦 =0
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡

13. From questions 10 to 13, solve the word problem above. Choose the correct
answer below.

A. 1.2 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛 C. 1.4 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛

B. 1.3 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛 D. 1.5 𝑢𝑛𝑖𝑡⁄𝑚𝑖𝑛

IV. For items 14 and 15, answer the question on the word problem below. Write the
solution and correct answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Andres and Joan are classmates. After school, both students depart from their
room at same moment and head straight towards their respective places. Andres
rides a bicycle north at 18km/hr while Joan rides an electric scooter west at 25
km/hr. At what rate is the distance between Andres and Joan increasing after an
hour? (See Figure 6)

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 Figure 6

Additional Activities

Solve the given item below. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.
A vertical liquid storage tank shaped like a cone has a radius of 8 m at the top and
22 m high. If liquid flows into the storage tank at a rate of 18 m³/s, how fast is the
depth of the liquid increasing when the liquid is 14 m deep?

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Department of Education – Region III,

Schools Division of Bataan - Curriculum Implementation Division
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Email Address: bataan@deped.gov.ph