Calculus 1 : Rate

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Calculus 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #1811 : Functions

During a period of rainfall, the volume of fluid in a lake is given by the formula: \(\displaystyle V(t)=15+\sqrt[3]{t^2}\)

What is the rate of downpour into a lake if it is the only contributing factor to the volume's change?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3t^{\frac{1}{3}}}\)

\(\displaystyle 15\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{2t^{\frac{1}{3}}}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3t^{\frac{1}{2}}}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{3}{2t^{\frac{2}{3}}}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{2}{3t^{\frac{1}{3}}}\)

Explanation:

Since the change in volume is due solely to the downpour, the rate change of the volume is equal to the rate of downpour.

For this probelm we will use the power rule to solve which states,

\(\displaystyle f(x)=x^n \rightarrow f'(x)=nx^{n-1}\).

Applying this rule we are able to find the rate of downpour.

\(\displaystyle V'(t)=\frac{d}{dt}(15+\sqrt[3]{t^2})=\frac{2}{3t^{\frac{1}{3}}}\)

Example Question #2841 : Calculus

Water is poured in a cylindrical container at a rate of \(\displaystyle 4 \txtup{ L/s}\). If the radius is \(\displaystyle 2\) meters how fast is the water rising.

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{2\pi}\)

\(\displaystyle 9\pi\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{\pi}\)

\(\displaystyle 1\)

None of these

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{1}{\pi}\)

Explanation:

The volume of a cylinder is \(\displaystyle V=\pi r^{2}h\). By implicit differentiation while holding the radius constant,

\(\displaystyle \frac{dV}{dt}=\pi r^2\frac{dh}{dt}\)

The rate of volume change is 4 and the radius is 2 so

\(\displaystyle 4=\pi*4\frac{dh}{dt}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{1}{\pi}\)

Example Question #21 : How To Find Rate Of Flow

Water is poured into a square pyramid shaped container at a rate of \(\displaystyle 10 L/s\). The container has a side length of \(\displaystyle 3\). What is the rate of change of the height?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 15\)

\(\displaystyle 25\)

None of these

\(\displaystyle 30\)

\(\displaystyle 20\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 30\)

Explanation:

The equation for volume for the container is \(\displaystyle V=\frac{s^{2}h}{3}\). Implicit differentiation while holding side length constant gives

\(\displaystyle \frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{s^2}{3}\frac{dh}{dt}\)

With a side length of 3 and a flow rate of 10

\(\displaystyle 10=\frac{9}{3}\frac{dh}{dt}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=30\) 

 

Example Question #1812 : Functions

A cubic tank with sides of 10 feet is being filled at a rate of \(\displaystyle Flow=10\frac{ft^3}{s}+3t^2\frac{ft^3}{s^3}\).

If the water level in the tank is initially one foot from the bottom, how long will it tank for the tank to fill?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 9.31s\)

\(\displaystyle 10s\)

\(\displaystyle 17.22s\)

\(\displaystyle 5.23s\)

\(\displaystyle 9.67s\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 9.31s\)

Explanation:

Begin by finding the capacity of the tank:

\(\displaystyle V_{max}=(10ft)^3=1000ft^2\)

Now, determine the amount of water initially in the tank:

\(\displaystyle V_0=1ft(10ft)^2=100ft^3\)

From here, integrate the flow equation to determine the amount of water at any point in time:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=\int Flow=\int (10\frac{ft^3}{s}+3t^2\frac{ft^3}{s^3})dt\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=10t\frac{ft^3}{s}+t^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+C\)

This constant of integration can be found by using the initial condition:

\(\displaystyle V(0)=V_0=10(0)\frac{ft^3}{s}+0^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+C\)

\(\displaystyle C=100ft^3\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=10t\frac{ft^3}{s}+t^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+100ft^3\)

Now, to find when the tank is full, set the equation equal to the max capacity of the tank:

\(\displaystyle V(t_f)=10t_f\frac{ft^3}{s}+t_f^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+100ft^3=1000ft^3\)

\(\displaystyle 10t_f\frac{ft^3}{s}+t_f^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}=900ft^3\)

\(\displaystyle t_f=9.31s\)

Example Question #21 : Rate Of Flow

Neo loses money such that the amount of dollars \(\displaystyle m\) in his bank account at time \(\displaystyle t\) (in hours) is \(\displaystyle m(t)=5000-0.0001e^t\).

What is the net rate of flow of money out of Neo's bank account when \(\displaystyle t=15\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \$326.90/\textup{hr}\)

\(\displaystyle -\$4673.10/\textup{hr}\)

\(\displaystyle \$4673.10/\textup{hr}\)

\(\displaystyle -\$326.90/\textup{hr}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \$326.90/\textup{hr}\)

Explanation:

The flow of money out of the bank account is the negative of the rate of change (increase) in the amount of money.

Thus, the value we are looking for is 

\(\displaystyle -m'(15)=-(-0.0001e^{15})=0.0001\cdot3268984.4=326.90\).

So the net rate of flow out of the bank account is $326.90/hr.

Example Question #22 : Rate

A \(\displaystyle 40\)-gallon tank begins to drain at a rate of \(\displaystyle 0.3t^2\frac{gallon}{s^3}\), where \(\displaystyle t\) is a time in seconds.

How much water will remain in the tank after five seconds?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 27.5gallons\)

\(\displaystyle 32.5gallons\)

\(\displaystyle 1.3gallons\)

\(\displaystyle 13.8gallons\)

\(\displaystyle 2.5gallons\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 27.5gallons\)

Explanation:

To begin this problem, note that the total amount of water drained over a span of time can be found by integrating the rate function with respect to time:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=\int Rdt\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=\int -0.3t^2 \frac{gallon}{s^3}dt\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=-0.1t^3\frac{gallon}{s^3}+C\)

Note that the rate is treated as negative, since it is flow out of the tank. To find the value of C, the constant of integration, use the initial condition:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=40gallons=-0.1(0^3)\frac{gallon}{s^3}+C\)

\(\displaystyle C=40 gallons\)

Therefore the integral is:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=40gallons -0.1t^3\frac{gallon}{s^3}\)

\(\displaystyle V(5s)=40gallons -0.1(5s)^3\frac{gallon}{s^3}\)

\(\displaystyle V(5s)=27.5gallons\)

 

Example Question #1822 : Functions

A \(\displaystyle 40\)-gallon tank begins to drain at a rate of \(\displaystyle 0.3t^2\frac{gallon}{s^3}\), where \(\displaystyle t\) is a time in seconds.

How much time will it take for the tank to be completely drained?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 23.29s\)

\(\displaystyle 12.67s\)

\(\displaystyle 11.18s\)

\(\displaystyle 7.37s\)

\(\displaystyle 6.23s\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 7.37s\)

Explanation:

To begin this problem, note that the total amount of water drained over a span of time can be found by integrating the rate function with respect to time:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=\int Rdt\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=\int -0.3t^2 \frac{gallon}{s^3}dt\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=-0.1t^3\frac{gallon}{s^3}+C\)

Note that the rate is treated as negative, since it is flow out of the tank. To find the value of C, the constant of integration, use the initial condition:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=40gallons=-0.1(0^3)\frac{gallon}{s^3}+C\)

\(\displaystyle C=40 gallons\)

Therefore the integral is:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=40gallons -0.1t^3\frac{gallon}{s^3}\)

Now to find when the tank is drained, solve for when the equation is zero:

\(\displaystyle V(t_f)=0=40gallons-0.1t_f^3\frac{gallon}{s^3}\)

\(\displaystyle t_f^3=400s^3\)

\(\displaystyle t_f=7.37s\)

Example Question #21 : Rate Of Flow

Water flows into a cylindrical container at a rate of \(\displaystyle 3t^2\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+6t\frac{ft^3}{s^2}\textup{}\).

If the cylinder has a radius of ten feet, a height of twenty feet, and is empty initially, how long will it take to fill completely?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 44.29s\)

\(\displaystyle 17.51s\)

\(\displaystyle 9.37s\)

\(\displaystyle 21.38s\)

\(\displaystyle 10.88s\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 17.51s\)

Explanation:

Begin by finding the volume of the tank:

\(\displaystyle V_{tank}=\pi r^2h\)

\(\displaystyle V_{tank}=2000\pi ft^3\)

Now, to find the amount the tank has filled over a given time, integrating the flow function with respect to time:

\(\displaystyle V(t)=\int (3t^2\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+6t\frac{ft^3}{s^2})dt\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=t^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+3t^2\frac{ft^3}{s^2}+C\)

To find the constant of integration, use the initial condition of an empty tank:

 \(\displaystyle V(0)=0=0^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+3(0)^2\frac{ft^3}{s^2}+C\)

\(\displaystyle C=0\)

\(\displaystyle V(t)=t^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+3t^2\frac{ft^3}{s^2}\)

Now, to find the time when the tank is full, set the equation equal to the max volume of the tank:

\(\displaystyle V(t_f)=t_f^3\frac{ft^3}{s^3}+3t_f^2\frac{ft^3}{s^2}=V_{tank}=2000\pi ft^3\)

\(\displaystyle t_f=17.51s\)

Example Question #1824 : Functions

The equation for the volume of fluid over time is given by

\(\displaystyle Q=\frac{1}{3}t^3+2.5t^2+4t+7\), where \(\displaystyle Q\) is measured in \(\displaystyle m^3\) and \(\displaystyle t\) is measured in seconds \(\displaystyle s\).

Determine the rate of flow at \(\displaystyle t=4s\).

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 40 \frac{m^3}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle -40 \frac{m^3}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 32 \frac{m^3}{s}\)

\(\displaystyle 200\frac{m^3}{s}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 40 \frac{m^3}{s}\)

Explanation:

Since we're given volume and need to calculate flow, we take the derivative of volume \(\displaystyle Q\) with respect to time \(\displaystyle t\).

\(\displaystyle Q=\frac{1}{3}t^3+2.5t^2+4t+7\)

To find the derivative of \(\displaystyle Q{}\) with respect to \(\displaystyle t{}\), we need to use the power rule. 

Recall that the power rule for differentiation is given as

\(\displaystyle \frac{\mathrm{d} }{\mathrm{d} t} (At^n)=nAt^{n-1}{}\), where \(\displaystyle A,n{}\) are constants and \(\displaystyle t{}\) is a variable. 

Using this rule for 

\(\displaystyle Q=\frac{1}{3}t^3+2.5t^2+4t+7{}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dQ}{dt}=t^2+5t+4\)

At \(\displaystyle t=4,{}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dQ(4)}{dt}=4^2+5*4+4= 40 \frac{m^3}{s}{}\)

We know the units are in \(\displaystyle \frac{m^3}{s}{}\) because we determined the rate of flow, which is volume of fluid moving per unit time. 

Example Question #2851 : Calculus

Water is passing through a cone-shaped filter at \(\displaystyle 1cm^{3}/min\).  The cone has a radius of \(\displaystyle 4cm\) at the top and is \(\displaystyle 8cm\) high.  At what rate is the depth of the water changing when the water reaches a height of \(\displaystyle 3cm\)?

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{475 }{921\pi}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{4 }{9\pi}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{3}{8\pi}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{4 }{8\pi}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\pi\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{4 }{9\pi}\)

Explanation:

We will use the equation for the volume of a cone and its derivative to solve this problem.  

The equation for the volume of a cone is

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{\pi }{3}r^{2}h\)

where \(\displaystyle r\) is the radius of the cone at the top and \(\displaystyle h\) is the height of the cone.

Since we do not know \(\displaystyle \frac{dr}{dt}\), we must eliminate \(\displaystyle r\) from the volume equation before we differentiate.

We use the ratio of height to radius to eliminate \(\displaystyle r\).

\(\displaystyle \frac{r}{h}=\frac{4}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle r=\frac{1}{2}h\)

The volume equation is now

\(\displaystyle V=\frac{\pi }{3}\left (\frac{1}{2}h \right )^{2}h=\frac{\pi }{12}h^{3}\)

We will now take the derivative of the equation with respect to time or \(\displaystyle t\).  We will use the power and chain rules to find the derivative.

\(\displaystyle \frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{d}{dt}\left [\frac{\pi }{12}h^{3}\right ]=\frac{\pi }{12}*3h^{2}\frac{dh}{dt}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{\pi }{4}h^{2}\frac{dh}{dt}\)

We are given the following parameters

\(\displaystyle \frac{dV}{dt}=1cm^{3}/min\) and we need to find \(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}\) at \(\displaystyle h=3cm\).

Subsituting this information into the first derivative

\(\displaystyle \frac{dV}{dt}=\frac{\pi }{4}h^{2}\frac{dh}{dt}\)

\(\displaystyle 1=\frac{\pi }{4}(3)^{2}\frac{dh}{dt}\)

\(\displaystyle 1=\frac{9\pi }{4}\frac{dh}{dt}\)

\(\displaystyle \frac{dh}{dt}=\frac{4 }{9\pi}\)

 

 

 

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