DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Time Rates V=r2h=(42)h=16h dtdV=30dtdy

If a quantity x is a function of time t, the time dtdV=16dtdh 12=30dtdy

rate of change of x is given by dx/dt.
24=16dtdh dtdy=04 ft/min answer
When two or more quantities, all functions of t,
are related by an equation, the relation between dtdh=0477 ft/min answer Problem 04
their rates of change may be obtained by
differentiating both sides of the equation with Problem 02 A triangular trough 10 ft long is 4 ft across the
respect to t. top, and 4 ft deep. If water flows in at the rate of
Water flows into a vertical cylindrical tank at 12 3 ft3/min, find how fast the surface is rising
Basic Time Rates ft3/min, the surface rises 6 in/min. Find the when the water is 6 in deep.
radius of the tank.
Velocity, v=dtds, where s is the distance. Solution 04

Acceleration, a=dtdv=dt2d2s, where v is

velocity and s is the distance.

Discharge, Q=dtdV, where V is the volume at

any time.

Angular Speed, =dtd, where is the angle at any

time.
Solution 02

Steps in Solving Time Rates Problem Volume of water:

Identify what are changing and what are fixed. V=r2h

Assign variables to those that are changing and dtdV=r2dtdh

appropriate value (constant) to those that are
fixed. 12=r2(05) Volume of water:

Create an equation relating all the variables and r=1205=276 ft answer V=21xy(10)=5xy
constants in Step 2.
Problem 03 By similar triangle:
Differentiate the equation with respect to time.
yx=44

A rectangular trough is 10 ft long and 3 ft wide. x=y

Problem 01 Find how fast the surface rises, if water flows in
at the rate of 12 ft3/min. V=5y2

dtdV=10ydtdy
Water is flowing into a vertical cylindrical tank
at the rate of 24 ft3/min. If the radius of the tank when y = 6 in or 0.5 ft
is 4 ft, how fast is the surface rising?
3=10(05)dtdy

dtdy=06 ft/min answer

Problem 05

A triangular trough is 10 ft long, 6 ft wide

across the top, and 3 ft deep. If water flows in at
the rate of 12 ft3/min, find how fast the surface
is rising when the water is 6 in deep.
Solution 03
Solution 01
Volume of water:

V=10(3)y=30y Solution 05
Volume of water:

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

xdtdx+y(−2)=0 does the end of his shadow move?

xdtdx−2y=0

when x = 16 ft

162+y2=202

y=12 ft

16dtdx−2(12)=0

dtdx=15 ft/sec answer

Problem 7

Volume of water: In Problem 6, find the rate of change of the

slope of the ladder.
V=21xy(10)=5xy
Solution 07 Solution 08
By similar triangle:
From the figure in Solution 6 above 6s−x=s16
yx=36
m=xy 16s–16x=6s
x=2y
dtdm=x2xdtdy−ydtdx 10s=16x
V=5(2y)y=10y2
where 10dtds=16dtdx
dtdV=20ydtdy
x = 16 ft 10dtds=16(5)
when y = 6 in or 0.5 ft
y = 12 ft dtds=8 mi/hr answer
12=20(05)dtdy
dx/dt = 1.5 ft/sec Problem 09
dtdy=12 ft/min answer
dy/dt = –2 ft/sec In Problem 08, how fast does the shadow
Problem 06 lengthen?
dtdm=16216(−2)−12(16)
A ladder 20 ft long leans against a vertical wall.
If the top slides downward at the rate of 2 ft/sec, dtdm=256−50
find how fast the lower end is moving when it is
16 ft from the wall. dtdm=−25128 per second

Solution 06 dtdm=25128 per second decreasing

answer

Problem 08

A man 6 ft tall walks away from a lamp post 16

Solution 09
ft high at the rate of 5 miles per hour. How fast
s6=16s+x

16s=6x+6s

10s=6x

10dtds=6dtdx

x2+y2=202 10dtds=6(5)

2xdtdx+2ydtdy=0 dtds=3 mi/hr answer

xdtdx+ydtdy=0

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Problem 10

A boy on a bike rides north 5 mi, then turns east

(Fig. 47). If he rides 10 mi/hr, at what rate does
his distance to the starting point S changing 2
hour after he left that point?

Solution 11

s2=402t2+502(t–2)2

s=1600t2+2500(t–2)2
Solution 13
dtds=3200t+5000(t−2)21600t2+2500(t–2)2

dtds=4100t−50001600t2+2500(t–2)2
Volume of water:
at 3 PM, t = 3
V=21[2+(2+2x)]y(10)
dtds=4100(3)−50001600(32)+2500(3–2)2
V=20y+10xy
Solution 10 dtds=5615 mi/hr answer
From the figure:
For 5 miles:
yx=21
5=10t
Problem 12 x=21y
t=05hr
In Problem 11, how fast the trains are separating V=20y+5y2
after along time?
d2=52+102(t–05)2
dtdV=20dtdy+10ydtdy
Solution 12
d=25+100(t–05)2
when y = 6 in or 0.5 ft
After a long time, t = ∞
dtdd=200(t−05)225+100(t–05)2
10=20dtdy+10(05)dtdy
dtds=4100t−50001600t2+2500(t–2)2
dtdd=100(t−05)25+100(t–05)2
dtdy=04 ft/min answer
dtds=4100t−50001600t2+2500t2−10000t+1000
when t = 2 hrs
0 Problem 14
dtdd=100(2−05)25+100(2–05)2
dtds=4100t−50004100t2−10000t+100001t1t For the trough in Problem 13, how fast the water
dtdd=150250=1505101010 surface is rising when the water is 1 foot deep.
dtds=4100−5000t4100−10000t+10000t2
dtdd=310 mi/hr answer Solution 14
dtds=4100−50004100−10000+100002
Problem 11 From the Solution 13
dtds=6403 mi/hr answer
A train starting at noon, travels north at 40 miles dtdV=20dtdy+10ydtdy
Problem 13
per hour. Another train starting from the same
point at 2 PM travels east at 50 miles per hour. When y = 1 ft
A trapezoidal trough is 10 ft long, 4 ft wide at
Find, to the nearest mile per hour, how fast the
the top, 2 ft wide at the bottom and 2 ft deep. If dtdV=20dtdy+10ydtdy
two trains are separating at 3 PM.
water flows in at 10 ft3/min, find how fast the
surface is rising, when the water is 6 in deep. 10=20dtdy+10(1)dtdy

dtdy=31 ft/min answer

Problem 15

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

A light at eye level stands 20 ft from a house Solution 16 dtdy=–4 ft/sec answer
and 15 ft from the path leading from the house
to the street. A man walks along the path at 6 ft By Pythagorean Theorem: The negative sign in the answer indicates that
per sec. How fast does his shadow move along the length of the shadow is shortening.
the wall when he is 5 ft from the house? x2+y2=s2
Problem 18
Solution 15 2xdtdx+2ydtdy=2sdtds
Solve Problem 17, if the light is 10 ft above the
xdtdx+ydtdy=sdtds ground.

From Solution 15, when y = 5 ft

dx/dt = 8 ft/sec and

x = 15(5)/(20 - 5) = 5 ft, then

s = √(x2 + y2) = √(52 + 52) = 5√2 ft

Thus,
Solution 18
5(8)+5(6)=52dtds
By similar triangle:
dtds=99 ft/sec answer
3010−y=x4
Problem 17
y=10−x120
light is placed on the ground 30 ft from a
building. A man 6 ft tall walks from the light dtdy=−x2−120dtdx
toward the building at the rate of 5 ft/sec. Find
the rate at which the length of his shadow is dtdy=x2120dtdx
From the figure: changing when he is 15 ft from the building.
when x = 30 – 15 = 15 ft
yx=20x+15 Solution 17
dtdy=152120(5)
20x=xy+15y
dtdy=38 ft/sec answer
(20–y)x=15y
Problem 19
x=15y20−y
One city A, is 30 mi north and 55 mi east of
dtdx=(20−y)2(20−y)15dtdy−15y−dtdy
another city, B. At noon, a car starts west from
A at 40 mi/hr, at 12:10 PM, another car starts
dtdx=(20−y)215(20−y)+15ydtdy
east from B at 60 mi/hr. Find, in two ways,
when the cars will be nearest together.
dtdx=300(20−y)2dtdy By similar triangle:

when y = 5 ft y30=x6

dtdx=300(20−5)2(6)

dtdx=8 ft/sec answer y=x180

Problem 16

In Problem 15, when the man is 5 ft from the dtdy=x2−180dtdx

house, find the time-rate of change of that
portion of his shadow which lies on the ground.

when x = 30 – 15 = 15 ft

dtdy=152−180(5)

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

t=065 hr Second condition: (after 1:05 PM but before

1:22:30 PM)
t=39 min

time: 12:39 PM answer

Problem 20

For the condition of Problem 19, draw the

appropriate figures for times before 12:39 PM
and after that time. Show that in terms of time
after noon, the formula for distance between the
two cars (one formula associated with each
figure) are equivalent.

Solution 19 Solution 20

1st Solution (Specific): For time before 12:39 PM, see the figure in the
general solution of Solution 20.
The figure to the right shows the position of the
cars when they are nearest to each other. x=65–100t [60(t–1060)–x]+40t=55

40t+60t–6010=55 s=x2+302=(65−100t)2+900 x=60t–10+40t–55

100t=65 For time after 12:39 PM, there are three x=–(65–100t)
conditions that worth noting. Each are
t=065 hr thoroughly illustrated below. x2=(65–100t)2

t=39 min s=x2+302

time: 12:39 PM answer s=(65–100t)2+900 ok

First condition: (after 12:39 PM but before 1:05
2nd Solution (General): PM)
Third condition: (after 1:22:30 PM)

From the figure shown in the right: 40t–[x–60(t–1060)]=55

s=x2+302

s=x2+900

where:

x = 55 – 40t – 60(t – 10/60)

x = 65 – 100t

[60(t–1060)–x]+40t=55
x=55–40t–60t+10
x=60t–10+40t–55

s=(65–100t)2+900 x=–(65–100t)
x=65–100t
dtds=2(65−100t)(−100)2(65–100t)2+900 x2=(65–100t)2

dtds=−100(65−100t)(65–100t)2+900 s=x2+302
x2=(65–100t)2
when ds/dt = 0 s=(65–100t)2+900 ok
s=x2+302
−100(65−100t)(65–100t)2+900=0
s=(65–100t)2+900 ok
−100(65−100t)=0
Problem 21
100t=65

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

For Problem 19, compute the time-rate of dtds=2(45–60t)2+(30+40t)22(45–60t) s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2 (ok!)

change of the distance between the cars at (a) (−60)+2(30+40t)(40)=0
12:15 PM; (b) 12:30 PM; (c) 1:15 PM Problem 24
−60(45–60t)+40(30+40t)=0
Solution 21 For Problem 22, compute the time-rate of
–3(45–60t)+2(30+40t)=0 change of the distance between the cars at (a)
From Solution 20, 12:15 PM, (b) 12:45 PM.
–135+180t+60+80t=0
s=(65–100t)2+900 at any time after noon. Solution 24
260t=75
From Solution 19: Solution 23 above shows that the distance s at
t=02885 hr =17 min 18 sec any time after noon is given by
dtds=−100(65−100t)(65–100t)2+900
time: 12:17:18 PM answer s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2
(a) at 12:15 PM, t = 15/60 = 0.25 hr
Problem 23
dtds=−100[65−100(025)][65−100(025)]2+900
For the condition of Problem 22, draw the dtds=2(45–60t)2+(30+40t)22(45–60t)
dtds=−80 mi/hr answer appropriate figure for times before 12:45 PM (−60)+2(30+40t)(40) See Solution 22
and after that time. Show that in terms of time
(b) at 12:30 PM, t = 30/60 = 0.5 hr after noon, the formulas for distance between dtds=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2−60(45–60t)
the two cars (one formula associated with each +40(30+40t)
dtds=−100[65−100(05)][65−100(05)]2+900 figure) are equivalent.
dtds=(45–
dtds=−4472 mi/hr answer 60t)2+(30+40t)2−2700+3600t+1200+1600t

(c) at 1:15 PM, t = 1 + 15/60 = 1.25 hr dtds=5200t−1500(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2

dtds=−100[65−100(125)][65−100(125)]2+900 (a) at 12:15 PM, t = 15/60 = 0.25 hr

dtds=8944 mi/hr answer dtds=5200(025)−1500[45–

60(025)]2+[30+40(025)]2
Problem 22

One city C, is 30 miles north and 35 miles east

from another city, D. At noon, a car starts north dtds=–4 mi/hr answer
from C at 40 miles per hour, at 12:10 PM,
another car starts east from D at 60 miles per
hour. Find when the cars will be nearest
together.

Solution 22
(b) at 12:45 PM, t = 45/60 = 0.75 hr

dtds=5200(075)−1500[45–
60(075)]2+[30+40(075)]2
Solution 23

dtds=40 mi/hr answer

Before 12:45 PM

Problem 25
For time before 12:45 PM, see the figure in
Solution 22.
One city E, is 20 miles north and 20 miles east
of another city, F. At noon a car starts south
x=45–60t
from E at 40 mi/hr, at 12:10 PM, another car
s=x2+(30+40t)2 starts east from F at 60 mi/hr. Find the rate at
s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2
which the cars approach each other between
where: 12:10 PM and 12:30 PM. What happens at
After 12:45 PM
12:30 PM?
x = 35 – 60(t – 10/60)
s=x2+(30+40t)2
x = 45 – 60t
where:
s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2
x = 60(t – 10/60) – 35 = –(45 – 60t)

x2 = (45 – 60t)2

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Solution 26

Solution 25 s2=x2+402

2sdtds=2xdtdx

Velocity of approach, sdtds=xdtdx

v=602+402 when s = 50 ft

v=7211 mi/hr answer 502 = x2 + 402

At 12:30 PM x = 30 ft
Solution 28
Distance traveled by car from E Thus,
By cosine law:
= 40(30/60) 50dtds=30(322)
[math]s2=(60t)2+(42–30t)2–2(60t)(42–
= 20 miles 30t)cos60[math]
dtds=44 ft/sec answer
s2=3600t2+(1764–2520t+900t2)–
Problem 27
(2520t−1800t2)
In Problem 26, find the rate at which the slope
s2=6300t2–5040t+1764
of the cord is decreasing.
Distance traveled by car from F s=6300t2–5040t+1764
Solution 27
= 60 [(30 - 10)/60] dtds=12600t−504026300t2–5040t+1764=0
Slope
= 20 miles 12600t−5040=0
m=x40
t=25 hr
dtdm=x2−40dtdx

The cars may/will collide at this time. Answer t=24 min

From Solution 26, x = 30 ft when s = 50 ft

Problem 26 time: 12:24 PM answer

dtdm=302−40(322)

A kite is 40 ft high with 50 ft cord out. If the

kite moves horizontally at 5 miles per hour
directly away from the boy flying it, how fast is
the cord being paid out?
dtdm=−44135 rad/sec answer
Problem 28
Problem 29
At noon a car drives from A (Fig. 48) toward C
Solve Problem 28 if the car from B leaves at
at 60 miles per hour. Another car starting from
noon but the car from A leaves at 12:07 PM.
B at the same time drives toward A at 30 miles
per hour. If AB = 42 miles, find when the cars
will be nearest each other.

Solution 29

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

By cosine law:

s2=[60(t–760)]2+(42–30t)2–2[60(t–760)](42–
30t)cos60 By Pythagorean Theorem:

s2=(3600t2–840t+49)+(1764–2520t+900t2)–(– s=(100–40t)2+(200–40t)2
1800t2+2730t–294)
Set ds/dt = 0
s2=6300t2–6090t+2107 From the isometric box:
dtds=2(100–40t)2+(200–40t)22(100–40t)
s=6300t2–6090t+2107 (−40)+2(200−40t)(−40)=0 s=x2+302

dtds=12600t−609026300t2–6090t+2107=0 2(100–40t)(−40)+2(200−40t)(−40)=0

12600t–6090=0 (100–40t)+(200−40t)=0 s=x2+900

t=2960 hr 300–80t=0 where:

t=29 min t=375 hrs x2 = (20t)2 + (40 – 30t)2

time: 12:29 PM answer t=3 hrs 45 min x2 = 400t2 + 1600 – 2400t + 900t2

Problem 30 time: 3:45 PM answer x2 = 1300t2 – 2400t + 1600

Two railroad tracks intersect at right angles, at Minimum distance will occur at t = 3.75, s=(1300t2–2400t+1600)+900
noon there is a train on each track approaching
the crossing at 40 mi/hr, one being 100 mi, the smin=[100–40(375)]2+[200–40(375)]2 s=1300t2–2400t+2500
other 200 mi distant. Find (a) when they will be
nearest together, and (b) what will be their smin=7071 miles answer dtds=2600t–240021300t2–2400t+2500
minimum distance apart.
Problem 31 dtds=1300t–12001300t2–2400t+2500

An elevated train on a track 30 ft above the after 1 sec, t = 1

ground crosses a street at the rate of 20 ft/sec at
the instant that a car, approaching at the rate of dtds=1300(1)–12001300(12)–2400(1)+2500
30 ft/sec, is 40 ft up the street. Find how fast the
Solution 30 train and the car separating 1 second later. dtds=267 ft/sec answer

Solution 31
Problem 32

In Problem 31, find when the train and the car

are nearest together.

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Solution 32 t=1729 min answer s6=x24

From Solution 31, Problem 34 s=41x

dtds=1300t–12001300t2–2400t+2500 In Problem 33, find how fast the two will be s=4116t2+900
separating after along time.
the train and the car are nearest together if ds/dt dtds=4132t216t2+900
=0 Solution 34
dtds=4t16t2+900
1300t–12001300t2–2400t+2500=0 From the Solution 33,
when 4t = 40; t = 10 sec
1300t–1200=0 s=9–480t+11600t2
dtds=4(10)16(102)+900
t=1213 sec dtds=−480+23200t29–480t+11600t2
dtds=08 ft/sec answer
t=0923 sec answer dtds=−240+11600t9–480t+11600t21t1t
Problem 36
Problem 33 dtds=−t240+116009t2–t480+11600
In Problem 35, how fast is the tip of the shadow
From a car traveling east at 40 miles per hour, after a long time, t moving?
an airplane traveling horizontally north at 100
miles per hour is visible 1 mile east, 2 miles dtds=−240+1160092–480+11600 Solution 36
south, and 2 miles up. Find when this two will
be nearest together. dtds=1160011600

dtds=11600

dtds=1077 mi/hr answer

Solution 33
Problem 35

An arc light hangs at the height of 30 ft above

the center of a street 60 ft wide. A man 6 ft tall
walks along the sidewalk at the rate of 4 ft/sec.
How fast is his shadow lengthening when he is
40 ft up the street?

Solution 35

From the figure:

s=x2+22=x2+4

where:

x2 = (1 – 40t)2 + (2 – 100t)2

x2 = (1 – 80t + 1600t2) + (4 – 400t + 10000t2)

x2 = 5 – 480t + 11600t2

s=(5–480t+11600t2)+4

s=9–480t+11600t2
From the figure:
dtds=−480+23200t29–480t+11600t2=0
x=square root(4t)2+302
–480+23200t=0
x=16t2+900 Triangle LAB,
t=3145 hr

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

x6=30x+30 Solution 38

5x=x+30

x=75 ft

Triangle ABC,

sx+30=4t30

s75+30=2t15
By cosine law,
s=5t
s2=202+(10t)2–2(20)(10t)cos120
dtds=5 ft/sec answer

Problem 37
s=100t2+200t+400
A ship sails east 20 miles and then turns N 30°
W. If the ship’s speed is 10 mi/hr, find how fast
it will be leaving the starting point 6 hr after the
start. dtds=200t+2002100t2+200t+400

dtds=100t+100100t2+200t+400
Solution 37

after 6 hrs from start, t = 6 – 2 = 4 hrs

dtds=100(4)+100100(42)+200(4)+400

dtds=945 mi/hr answer

By cosine law,

s2=202+(10t)2–2(20)(10t)cos60

s=100t2−200t+400

dtds=200t−2002100t2−200t+400

dtds=100t−100100t2−200t+400

after 6 hrs from start, t = 6 – 2 = 4 hrs

dtds=100(4)−100100(42)−200(4)+400

dtds=100(4)−100100(42)−200(4)+400

dtds=866 mi/hr answer

Problem 38

Solve Problem 37, if the ship turns N 30° E.

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