DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Time Rates Solution 01 Volume of water:

If a quantity x is a function of time t, the V=10(3)y=30y

time rate of change of x is given by
dx/dt. Volume of water: dtdV=30dtdy

When two or more quantities, all V=r2h=(42)h=16h 12=30dtdy

functions of t, are related by an
equation, the relation between their dtdV=16dtdh dtdy=04 ft/min answer
rates of change may be obtained by
differentiating both sides of the 24=16dtdh Problem 04
equation with respect to t.
dtdh=0477 ft/min answer A triangular trough 10 ft long is 4 ft
Basic Time Rates across the top, and 4 ft deep. If water
Problem 02 flows in at the rate of 3 ft3/min, find how
Velocity, v=dtds, where s is the distance. fast the surface is rising when the water
Water flows into a vertical cylindrical is 6 in deep.
Acceleration, a=dtdv=dt2d2s, where v tank at 12 ft3/min, the surface rises 6
is velocity and s is the distance. in/min. Find the radius of the tank. Solution 04

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

Identify what are changing and what

are fixed. Volume of water:

Assign variables to those that are V=r2h

changing and appropriate value
(constant) to those that are fixed. dtdV=r2dtdh Volume of water:

Create an equation relating all the 12=r2(05) V=21xy(10)=5xy

variables and constants in Step 2.
r=1205=276 ft answer By similar triangle:
Differentiate the equation with respect
Problem 03 yx=44
to time.

x=y

A rectangular trough is 10 ft long and 3 V=5y2

Problem 01
ft wide. Find how fast the surface rises, if
water flows in at the rate of 12 ft3/min. dtdV=10ydtdy

when y = 6 in or 0.5 ft
Water is flowing into a vertical
cylindrical tank at the rate of 24 ft3/min.
3=10(05)dtdy
If the radius of the tank is 4 ft, how fast is
the surface rising?
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
Solution 03
water is 6 in deep.

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

x2+y2=202 shadow move?

Solution 05 2xdtdx+2ydtdy=0

xdtdx+ydtdy=0

xdtdx+y(−2)=0

xdtdx−2y=0

when x = 16 ft

162+y2=202

y=12 ft

16dtdx−2(12)=0 Solution 08

dtdx=15 ft/sec answer 6s−x=s16

Volume of water:
Problem 7 16s–16x=6s
V=21xy(10)=5xy
In Problem 6, find the rate of change of 10s=16x
By similar triangle: the slope of the ladder.
10dtds=16dtdx
yx=36 Solution 07
10dtds=16(5)
x=2y From the figure in Solution 6 above
dtds=8 mi/hr answer
V=5(2y)y=10y2 m=xy
Problem 09
dtdV=20ydtdy dtdm=x2xdtdy−ydtdx
In Problem 08, how fast does the
when y = 6 in or 0.5 ft where shadow lengthen?

12=20(05)dtdy x = 16 ft

dtdy=12 ft/min answer y = 12 ft

Problem 06 dx/dt = 1.5 ft/sec

A ladder 20 ft long leans against a dy/dt = –2 ft/sec

vertical wall. If the top slides downward
at the rate of 2 ft/sec, find how fast the dtdm=16216(−2)−12(16)
lower end is moving when it is 16 ft from
the wall. dtdm=256−50

Solution 09
Solution 06 dtdm=−25128 per second

s6=16s+x
dtdm=25128 per second decreasing
answer
16s=6x+6s
Problem 08
10s=6x
A man 6 ft tall walks away from a lamp
10dtds=6dtdx
post 16 ft high at the rate of 5 miles per
hour. How fast does the end of his
10dtds=6(5)

dtds=3 mi/hr answer

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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

dtds=5615 mi/hr answer From the figure:

Solution 10 yx=21

For 5 miles: Problem 12 x=21y

5=10t In Problem 11, how fast the trains are V=20y+5y2

separating after along time?
t=05hr dtdV=20dtdy+10ydtdy
Solution 12
d2=52+102(t–05)2 when y = 6 in or 0.5 ft
After a long time, t = ∞
d=25+100(t–05)2 10=20dtdy+10(05)dtdy
dtds=4100t−50001600t2+2500(t–2)2
dtdd=200(t−05)225+100(t–05)2 dtdy=04 ft/min answer
dtds=4100t−50001600t2+2500t2−10000t+
dtdd=100(t−05)25+100(t–05)2 10000 Problem 14

when t = 2 hrs dtds=4100t−50004100t2−10000t+100001t For the trough in Problem 13, how fast
1t the water surface is rising when the
dtdd=100(2−05)25+100(2–05)2 water is 1 foot deep.
dtds=4100−5000t4100−10000t+10000t2
dtdd=150250=1505101010 Solution 14
dtds=4100−50004100−10000+100002
dtdd=310 mi/hr answer From the Solution 13
dtds=6403 mi/hr answer
Problem 11 dtdV=20dtdy+10ydtdy
Problem 13
A train starting at noon, travels north at When y = 1 ft
40 miles per hour. Another train starting A trapezoidal trough is 10 ft long, 4 ft
from the same point at 2 PM travels east wide at the top, 2 ft wide at the bottom dtdV=20dtdy+10ydtdy
at 50 miles per hour. Find, to the nearest and 2 ft deep. If water flows in at 10
mile per hour, how fast the two trains ft3/min, find how fast the surface is 10=20dtdy+10(1)dtdy
are separating at 3 PM. rising, when the water is 6 in deep.
dtdy=31 ft/min answer

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Problem 15

A light at eye level stands 20 ft from a when x = 30 – 15 = 15 ft

house and 15 ft from the path leading
from the house to the street. A man dtdy=152−180(5)
walks along the path at 6 ft per sec.
How fast does his shadow move along Solution 16 dtdy=–4 ft/sec answer
the wall when he is 5 ft from the house?
By Pythagorean Theorem: The negative sign in the answer
Solution 15 indicates that the length of the shadow
x2+y2=s2 is shortening.

2xdtdx+2ydtdy=2sdtds Problem 18

xdtdx+ydtdy=sdtds Solve Problem 17, if the light is 10 ft

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

Problem 16 y30=x6

In Problem 15, when the man is 5 ft from

the house, find the time-rate of change
of that portion of his shadow which lies y=x180
on the ground.

dtdy=x2−180dtdx

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

x=60t–10+40t–55

s=(65–100t)2+900 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

when ds/dt = 0 s=(65–100t)2+900 ok

−100(65−100t)(65–100t)2+900=0 Second condition: (after 1:05 PM but

before 1:22:30 PM)
−100(65−100t)=0

100t=65

t=065 hr

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
[60(t–1060)–x]+40t=55
Solution 19 for distance between the two cars (one
formula associated with each figure) x=60t–10+40t–55
1st Solution (Specific): are equivalent.
x=–(65–100t)
The figure to the right shows the position Solution 20
of the cars when they are nearest to x2=(65–100t)2
each other. For time before 12:39 PM, see the figure
in the general solution of Solution 20. s=x2+302
40t+60t–6010=55
x=65–100t s=(65–100t)2+900 ok
100t=65
s=x2+302=(65−100t)2+900 Third condition: (after 1:22:30 PM)
t=065 hr
For time after 12:39 PM, there are three 40t–[x–60(t–1060)]=55
t=39 min conditions that worth noting. Each are
thoroughly illustrated below.
time: 12:39 PM answer

2nd Solution (General):

First condition: (after 12:39 PM but
From the figure shown in the right: before 1:05 PM)

s=x2+302

s=x2+900

where: x=55–40t–60t+10

x = 55 – 40t – 60(t – 10/60)

x = 65 – 100t x=65–100t

[60(t–1060)–x]+40t=55

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

x2=(65–100t)2 Solution 23

s=x2+302 Before 12:45 PM

s=(65–100t)2+900 ok For time before 12:45 PM, see the figure

in Solution 22.
Problem 21
x=45–60t
For Problem 19, compute the time-rate
of change of the distance between the s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2
cars at (a) 12:15 PM; (b) 12:30 PM; (c) s=x2+(30+40t)2
1:15 PM After 12:45 PM
where:
Solution 21 s=x2+(30+40t)2
x = 35 – 60(t – 10/60)
From Solution 20, where:
x = 45 – 60t
s=(65–100t)2+900 at any time after x = 60(t – 10/60) – 35 = –(45 – 60t)
noon. s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2
x2 = (45 – 60t)2
From Solution 19: dtds=2(45–60t)2+(30+40t)22(45–
60t)(−60)+2(30+40t)(40)=0 s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2 (ok!)
dtds=−100(65−100t)(65–100t)2+900
−60(45–60t)+40(30+40t)=0 Problem 24
(a) at 12:15 PM, t = 15/60 = 0.25 hr
–3(45–60t)+2(30+40t)=0 For Problem 22, compute the time-rate
dtds=−100[65−100(025)][65−100(025)]2+ of change of the distance between the
900 –135+180t+60+80t=0 cars at (a) 12:15 PM, (b) 12:45 PM.

dtds=−80 mi/hr answer 260t=75 Solution 24

(b) at 12:30 PM, t = 30/60 = 0.5 hr
dtds=−100[65−100(05)][65−100(05)]2+90
0
dtds=−4472 mi/hr answer
(c) at 1:15 PM, t = 1 + 15/60 = 1.25 hr
dtds=−100[65−100(125)][65−100(125)]2+
900
dtds=8944 mi/hr answer
Problem 22
One city C, is 30 miles north and 35 miles
east from another city, D. At noon, a
car starts north 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
t=02885 hr =17 min 18 sec
time: 12:17:18 PM answer
Problem 23
For the condition of Problem 22, draw
the appropriate figure for times before
12:45 PM and after that time. Show that
in terms of time after noon, the formulas
for distance between the two cars (one
formula associated with each figure)
are equivalent.
Solution 23 above shows that the
distance s at any time after noon is
given by
s=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2
dtds=2(45–60t)2+(30+40t)22(45–
60t)(−60)+2(30+40t)(40) See Solution
22
dtds=(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2−60(45–
60t)+40(30+40t)
dtds=(45–
60t)2+(30+40t)2−2700+3600t+1200+1600t
dtds=5200t−1500(45–60t)2+(30+40t)2
(a) at 12:15 PM, t = 15/60 = 0.25 hr
dtds=5200(025)−1500[45–
60(025)]2+[30+40(025)]2

dtds=–4 mi/hr answer

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

dtdm=−44135 rad/sec answer

(b) at 12:45 PM, t = 45/60 = 0.75 hr The cars may/will collide at this time. Problem 28
Answer
dtds=5200(075)−1500[45– At noon a car drives from A (Fig. 48)
60(075)]2+[30+40(075)]2 Problem 26 toward C at 60 miles per hour. Another
car starting from B at the same time
dtds=40 mi/hr answer A kite is 40 ft high with 50 ft cord out. If drives toward A at 30 miles per hour. If
the kite moves horizontally at 5 miles per AB = 42 miles, find when the cars will be
Problem 25 hour directly away from the boy flying it, nearest each other.
how fast is the cord being paid out?
One city E, is 20 miles north and 20 miles
east of another city, F. At noon a car
starts south from E at 40 mi/hr, at 12:10
PM, another car starts east from F at 60
mi/hr. Find the rate at which the cars
approach each other between 12:10
PM and 12:30 PM. What happens at
12:30 PM?

Solution 26

s2=x2+402

2sdtds=2xdtdx

sdtds=xdtdx

when s = 50 ft

Solution 25 502 = x2 + 402

Solution 28
x = 30 ft
By cosine law:
Velocity of approach, Thus,
[math]s2=(60t)2+(42–30t)2–2(60t)(42–
v=602+402 50dtds=30(322) 30t)cos60[math]

v=7211 mi/hr answer dtds=44 ft/sec answer s2=3600t2+(1764–2520t+900t2)–

(2520t−1800t2)
At 12:30 PM Problem 27
s2=6300t2–5040t+1764
Distance traveled by car from E In Problem 26, find the rate at which the
slope of the cord is decreasing. s=6300t2–5040t+1764
= 40(30/60)
Solution 27 dtds=12600t−504026300t2–5040t+1764=0
= 20 miles
Slope 12600t−5040=0

m=x40 t=25 hr

dtdm=x2−40dtdx t=24 min

Distance traveled by car from F
From Solution 26, x = 30 ft when s = 50 ft time: 12:24 PM answer
= 60 [(30 - 10)/60]
dtdm=302−40(322)
= 20 miles

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Problem 29 Solution 30 Solution 31

Solve Problem 28 if the car from B

leaves at noon but the car from A
leaves at 12:07 PM.

Solution 29

By Pythagorean Theorem:

s=(100–40t)2+(200–40t)2

Set ds/dt = 0

By cosine law: dtds=2(100–40t)2+(200–40t)22(100–

40t)(−40)+2(200−40t)(−40)=0 From the isometric box:
s2=[60(t–760)]2+(42–30t)2–2[60(t–
760)](42–30t)cos60 2(100–40t)(−40)+2(200−40t)(−40)=0 s=x2+302

s2=(3600t2–840t+49)+(1764– (100–40t)+(200−40t)=0
2520t+900t2)–(–1800t2+2730t–294)
300–80t=0 s=x2+900
s2=6300t2–6090t+2107
t=375 hrs where:
s=6300t2–6090t+2107
t=3 hrs 45 min x2 = (20t)2 + (40 – 30t)2
dtds=12600t−609026300t2–6090t+2107=0
time: 3:45 PM answer x2 = 400t2 + 1600 – 2400t + 900t2
12600t–6090=0
Minimum distance will occur at t = 3.75, x2 = 1300t2 – 2400t + 1600
t=2960 hr
smin=[100–40(375)]2+[200–40(375)]2 s=(1300t2–2400t+1600)+900
t=29 min
smin=7071 miles answer s=1300t2–2400t+2500
time: 12:29 PM answer
Problem 31 dtds=2600t–240021300t2–2400t+2500
Problem 30
An elevated train on a track 30 ft dtds=1300t–12001300t2–2400t+2500
Two railroad tracks intersect at right above the ground crosses a street at
angles, at noon there is a train on each the rate of 20 ft/sec at the instant that a after 1 sec, t = 1
track approaching the crossing at 40 car, approaching at the rate of 30
mi/hr, one being 100 mi, the other 200 ft/sec, is 40 ft up the street. Find how dtds=1300(1)–12001300(12)–
mi distant. Find (a) when they will be fast the train and the car separating 1 2400(1)+2500
nearest together, and (b) what will be second later.
their minimum distance apart. dtds=267 ft/sec answer

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

Problem 32 s=(5–480t+11600t2)+4

In Problem 31, find when the train and s=9–480t+11600t2

the car are nearest together.
dtds=−480+23200t29–480t+11600t2=0
Solution 32
–480+23200t=0
From Solution 31,
t=3145 hr
dtds=1300t–12001300t2–2400t+2500
t=1729 min answer
the train and the car are nearest
together if ds/dt = 0 Problem 34

1300t–12001300t2–2400t+2500=0 In Problem 33, find how fast the two will

be separating after along time.
1300t–1200=0 From the figure:
Solution 34
t=1213 sec x=square root(4t)2+302
From the Solution 33,
t=0923 sec answer x=16t2+900
s=9–480t+11600t2
Problem 33 s6=x24
dtds=−480+23200t29–480t+11600t2
From a car traveling east at 40 miles per s=41x
hour, an airplane traveling horizontally dtds=−240+11600t9–480t+11600t21t1t
north at 100 miles per hour is visible 1 s=4116t2+900
mile east, 2 miles south, and 2 miles up. dtds=−t240+116009t2–t480+11600
Find when this two will be nearest dtds=4132t216t2+900
together. after a long time, t
dtds=4t16t2+900
dtds=−240+1160092–480+11600
when 4t = 40; t = 10 sec
Solution 33 dtds=1160011600
dtds=4(10)16(102)+900
dtds=11600
dtds=08 ft/sec answer
dtds=1077 mi/hr answer
Problem 36
Problem 35
In Problem 35, how fast is the tip of the
An arc light hangs at the height of 30 ft shadow moving?
above the center of a street 60 ft wide.
A man 6 ft tall walks along the sidewalk Solution 36
at the rate of 4 ft/sec. How fast is his
shadow lengthening when he is 40 ft up
the street?

From the figure:

Solution 35
s=x2+22=x2+4

where:

x2 = (1 – 40t)2 + (2 – 100t)2

x2 = (1 – 80t + 1600t2) + (4 – 400t +

10000t2)

x2 = 5 – 480t + 11600t2

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DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS: SOLVED PROBLEMS IN TIME RATES

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

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
Triangle LAB,
dtds=100t−100100t2−200t+400
x6=30x+30
after 6 hrs from start, t = 6 – 2 = 4 hrs
5x=x+30
dtds=100(4)−100100(42)−200(4)+400
x=75 ft
dtds=100(4)−100100(42)−200(4)+400

dtds=866 mi/hr answer

Triangle ABC,
Problem 38
sx+30=4t30
Solve Problem 37, if the ship turns N 30°
E.
s75+30=2t15

Solution 38
s=5t

dtds=5 ft/sec answer

Problem 37

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.

By cosine law,
Solution 37
s2=202+(10t)2–2(20)(10t)cos120

s=100t2+200t+400

dtds=200t+2002100t2+200t+400

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