Lesson

Related Rates Part 1:

Rhinos and Unicorns

Ryan Lundstrom

www.myhaikuclass.com/mrlundstrom/firstyearcalculus






















This lesson will give you a basic understanding of what a related rate problem is and how to solve it.



For additional information visit: https://myhaikulearning.com/mrlundstrom/firstyearcalculus

Additionally don’t hesitate to email me with any questions you may have at:
ryan.lundstrom@puhsd.org
Related Rates

𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
A related rate is when there are _________ Find when 𝑥 = 3, given 𝑦 = 𝑥 ! − 5𝑥 + 2 and = 2.
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
________________________ rates (derivatives)
in one problem (usually involving a
shape).


To solve a related rate memorize the
acronym: S______________, R______________,
E___________________, D_____________________,
W_______________, U_____________________.

What the acronym stands for:
1. S_______________ the situation (you
𝑑𝑟 4 𝑑𝑉
only do this step if you don’t the Find when 𝑟 = 3, given 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 ! and = 7.
𝑑𝑡 3 𝑑𝑡
equation and you don’t know
what kind of shape is given)
2. Find the R_______________.
3. Make an E____________________
involving only the rates from
step 2.
4. Take the D___________________ of
this equation.
5. Plug in the W___________ and solve
for the missing rate.
6. Write down the U______________.
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑥
Find when 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑦 > 0, given 𝑥 " + 𝑦 " = 20 and = 5 .
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
 Related Rates

Basic Geometry Formulas that you are If the radius of a circle is increasing at a rate of 3 inches per second,
expected to remember: how fast is the area of the circle increasing when the radius is 2 inches?

Perimeter of a Square: ___________________
Area of a Square: _________________________
Surface area of a Cube: __________________
Volume of a Cube: _______________________

Circumference of a Circle: _______________
Area of a Circle: __________________________
Surface area of a Sphere: ________________
Volume of a Sphere: _____________________


If the area of a square is increasing at a rate of 3 square meters per
minute, at what rate are the sides increasing when the sides of the square
are 5 meters long?

When the sides of a cube are 3 feet long, the volume of the cube is
decreasing at a rate of 10 cubic feet per hour. How fast are the sides of

the cube changing at that instant?

Related Rates

More Basic Shape Practice

When the sides of a square are 7 inches long, the perimeter If the radius of a sphere is decreasing at a rate of 4
of the square is increasing at a rate of 3 inches per second. miles per minute, how fast is the volume of the sphere
How fast are the sides of the square changing at that instant? changing when the radius of the sphere is 3 miles?

At the instant the sides of a cube are 6 meters long, the

surface area of the cube is increasing at a rate of 1 square When the radius of a sphere is 2 feet, the radius is
meter per hour. How fast are the sides growing at this increasing at a rate of 5 feet per second. At what rate is
the surface area of the sphere changing at that instant?
instant?