DIFFERENTIATION

Rates of Change Problems

When we encounter rates of change problems we are actually dealing with some variable changing
during the course of time. The variable may be increasing or decreasing over time. The rate of
dy
change is constant, therefore !
dx

The Chain Rule is used in this type of problem, so here it is advisable to revise the workings of the
Chain Rule:

The Chain Rule

In the Tables Book the Chain Rule is given as:

du dv
f ' ( x )= .
dv dx

What is not given in the Tables Book is the resulting fraction of this:

So let’s examine this more closely using our knowledge of fractions:

du dv du
. =
dv dx dx

Here “ dv” cancels on top and below:

du
In actual fact we can say that we found “Via” “dv”
dx

Note: This use of the Chain Rule is the key for solving problems

Using this Chain Rule notation consider the following results:

dA dx dA
 . = ………………. Here our “Via” function is “dx”
dx dr dr
dV dr dV
 dr . dt = dt ………………. Here our “Via” function is “dr”

Note: fractions must always be in this form so as to cancel

dV dh
Sometimes we can only find say “ ” and our question requires “ ” what we do here is simply
dh dV
dh
invert the resulting fraction to get
dV

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 DIFFERENTIATION

Example:

dV dh 1
= 2r ⇒ =
dh dV 2r

Types of Notation used in Problems

Problems vary from question to question, i.e speed, acceleration, perimeter, area, volume etc.

When dealing with formulae it is advisable to know the following:

 V = volume
dV
 = differentiating the volume formula with respect to “r”(radius)
dr
dV
 = differentiating the volume formula with respect to “h” (height)
dh
 A = area
dA
 = differentiating the area with respect to “r” (radius)
dr
 D = distance
dD
 = differentiating the distance with respect to “t” (time) = speed
dt
dSPEED
 = acceleration; A rate of change of speed with respect to time
dTIME

Note: Be careful when differentiating as “w.r.t” is the key to get correct solution!

Information given in Questions

Question forms vary but one popular type of question asked involves rate of change of area and or
volume. It is important to note that rate of change is a factor of TIME (t). This rate of change will
always be given in the question so it is recommended to establish a title for this information
immediately before doing anything else with the question.

Read the question carefully to establish the variables to use.

Recall the units of measurement; for area = units² and volume = units³

The time is usually written as sec−1 = per second or min−1 = per minute

Examples:

Water is flowing into a tank at the rate of 2cm³ sec−1

Here we know that water needs volume to contain it! Another hint here is the units³ of
measurement which implies volume! Hence the Volume is changing with respect to time.

dV
⇒
dt
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 DIFFERENTIATION

This rate of change is 2 cm³/ sec

dV
⇒ =2
dt

This is a key result from the question for later calculations!

The surface area of a circle is decreasing at the rate of -0.5 cm² min−1

The Area is decreasing giving a negative value with respect to time.

dA
Therefore = -0.5
dt

Note: The minute a part of information is available jot down the corresponding differential term in
d?
the form of “ “
d?

Steps involved in solving:

Step 1: Read question carefully

Step 2: Reread question formulating a differential equation from rate of change given

Step 3: Form a differential equation for the solution

Step 4: Investigate the “Via” differential equation to be used in the Chain Rule to arrive at solution!

Step 5: Evaluate carefully each differential equation

Step 6: Use Chain Rule.

Step 7: Qualify at the very end, i.e. evaluating a specific value

Examples:

A rectangle has area A and perimeter P

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 DIFFERENTIATION

2x

The rate at which the area is increasing is 16cm² sec−1

Find the rate in terms of “x” at which the perimeter is increasing!

Our first task here is to write down the differential equation given:

The rate at which the area is increasing w.r.t “t”

dA
⇒ = 16………………..(*)
dt

dP
Our solution involves the perimeter changing so we need to find !!!!!!
dt

Both our functions “A” and “P” can be expressed in “x” so we can use the Chain Rule via “x”

A = (x)(2x) = 2x²

dA
= 4x ………………(*)
dx

P = 2(x + 2x) = 2(3x) = 6x

dP
= 6…………….. (*)
dx

Now use Chain Rule:

dA dA dx 1
= . = (4x)( )………………..Note inversion here!
dP dx dP 6

2x
=
3

dA 2 x
⇒ = ……………….(*)
dP 3

dP
Now to find our solution we will use the chain Rule again via “dA”
dt

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 DIFFERENTIATION

dP dP dA
So
dt
= dA . dt

dA
Note we need to invert our answer for” ”
dP

dP 3 24
⇒ = . 16 =
dt 2 x x

24
The rate at which the perimeter is increasing is cm/sec
x

Note: Always write down conclusion in correct units of measurement and correct time units!

An astronaut is at a height x km above the earth as shown:

xkm

dx r
He moves vertically away from the earth’s surface at a velocity of km/h, where r = radius of
dt 5
the earth. He observes the angle θ as shown!

(i) Express x in terms of r and θ

dθ
(ii) Hence, find when x = r
dt

dx r
Here in the question we are given the differential expression for rate of change, i.e . = .
dt 5

(i) To express x in terms of r and θ , consider the ¿ angled triangle :

opp r
So Sin θ = =
hyp x+r

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 DIFFERENTIATION

(x + r)(Sinθ ¿ = r

xSinθ + rSinθ = r

xSinθ = r – rSinθ

r−rSinθ
x=
Sinθ

r rSinθ
x= −
Sinθ Sinθ

r
x= –r
Sinθ

(ii) This next part of the question involves the chain Rule. Hence in the question implies that
dθ
we need to use via “dx” Write down the Chain Rule for ! Then examine it as to how to
dt
arrive at each part, using “dx”

dθ dθ dx
= .
dt dx dt

dθ dx
We can find by differentiating the solution for part (i) and is given in the question!
dt dt

dθ
So now begin by finding !
dx

Our expression was in “x” i.e.

r
x= –r
Sinθ

So in actual fact it is easier to differentiate the function x with respect to θ

Note: Be careful with how you differentiate here, we are differentiating w.r.t. θ so the final “-r” is
a constant, and has nothing to do with θ so disappears in the differentiation process!

dx
= Quotient Rule!
dθ

Where u = r

du
=0
dθ

v = Sinθ

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 DIFFERENTIATION

dv
= Cosθ
dθ

Now substitute into the rule

( Sinθ ) ( 0 )−(r )( Cosθ)

=
(Sinθ )²

dx −rCosθ
⇒ =
dθ sin ² θ

Nearly there!!!!!

dθ sin ² θ
So =
dx −rCosθ

We now have all we need so go back to the chain Rule and sub in the results!

dθ sin ² θ r
= .
dt −rCosθ 5

sin ² θ
=
−5 Cosθ

This is as far as we can go!

Now qualify!

We are told that x = r so go back to the original diagram to help evaluate θ !

r r r 1
Sin θ = which now equals = = = 0.5
x+r r +r 2r 2
−1
sin ( 0.5 ) =θ

⇒ θ = 300

dθ
Put this value into the result!
dt
❑
1 1
( )²
sin ²(30) 2 4 1 2 −1
= = = = . =
−5 √ 3 4 −5 √3 10 √ 3
(−5)( √ )
−5 cos 30 3
2 2

dθ −1
⇒ dt =
10 √3

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 DIFFERENTIATION

This is the result!

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