Q.x and y are the sides of two squares such that y=x−x2. Find the rate of change of the area of the second square with respect to the area of the first square.
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Rate of Change
The very first application of the derivative is to measure how fast one quantity changes when another changes. If y=f(x), then the derivative
dxdy=f′(x)
is the rate of change of y with respect to x. Geometrically it is the slope of the tangent; physically it tells you how sensitive y is to a small change in x at that instant.
Average versus instantaneous rate
Over an interval from x to x+h, the average rate of change is
hf(x+h)−f(x).
As h→0 this becomes the instantaneous rate dxdy. So the derivative is the limit of the average rate — the rate "right now" rather than "over a stretch".
Rates with respect to time
Many problems track how a quantity changes as time passes. If a quantity Q depends on time t, then dtdQ is its rate of change per unit time. For example, if the radius of a circle is r, its area is A=πr2, and the rate at which the area grows is
dtdA=2πrdtdr.
Here the chain rule links the rate of change of the area to the rate of change of the radius. A positive derivative means the quantity is increasing; a negative one means it is decreasing.
When two related quantities both change with time, differentiate the equation connecting them with respect to t. Every variable contributes its own rate, tied together by the chain rule.
Reading the sign and size
- dxdy>0: y increases as x increases.
- dxdy<0: y decreases as x increases.
- A large magnitude means a steep, fast change; a value near zero means y is barely responding. …
Idea: Write both areas as functions of x and use dA1dA2=dA1/dxdA2/dx.
First square side x: A1=x2. Second square side y=x−x2: A2=y2=(x−x2)2.
Differentiate each with respect to x:
dxdA1=2x,dxdA2=2(x−x2)(1−2x).
Divide: …
Writing both areas in terms of x and using dA1dA2=dA1/dxdA2/dx gives dA1dA2=(1−x)(1−2x)=1−3x+2x2.
The intuition
"Rate of change of P with respect to Q" means the derivative dQdP. Here P and Q are the two areas, and both depend on the common variable x (the side of the first square). When two quantities share a variable, we get dQdP=dQ/dxdP/dx.
Set up
- First square: side x, so area A1=x2.
- Second square: side y=x−x2, so area A2=y2=(x−x2)2.
We want dA1dA2.
Work the steps
1. Differentiate A1.
dxdA1=2x.
2. Differentiate A2 (chain rule with u=x−x2, dxdu=1−2x):
dxdA2=2u⋅dxdu=2(x−x2)(1−2x).
3. Divide to get dA1dA2.
dA1dA2=dA1/dxdA2/dx=2x2(x−x2)(1−2x). …
Method: Finding the Rate of One Quantity With Respect to Another (Not Time) — the Quotient Trick
When a problem asks for dQdP where neither P nor Q is time, but both are functions of a shared variable x, you don't need to introduce time at all — the chain rule gives a direct shortcut.
Steps
Step 1: Recognise the shared-variable structure.
Confirm both P and Q can be written explicitly as functions of the same variable x (typically a length that determines both quantities).
Step 2: Write out P(x) and Q(x) using any given relation.
Substitute any relation connecting the underlying variables (e.g. one side expressed in terms of the other) so that both P and Q end up purely in terms of x.
Step 3: Differentiate both with respect to x separately.
Compute dxdP and dxdQ as two ordinary derivatives, using the chain rule, product rule, etc. as each expression requires. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Trying to differentiate A2 directly with respect to A1 as if A1 were an independent variable
Why it's wrong: neither area is given as an explicit function of the other; both are functions of the shared variable x, so dA1dA2 must be computed via dA1/dxdA2/dx, not by some direct differentiation of one area "with respect to" the other. Correct approach: differentiate both A1 and A2 with respect to x separately, then divide.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the chain rule when differentiating A2=(x−x2)2
Why it's wrong: writing dxdA2=2(x−x2) and stopping there omits the derivative of the inner function (1−2x), which is required since A2 is a composite function of x. Correct approach: dxdA2=2(x−x2)⋅(1−2x). …
Showing the 12 most recent of 14 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If y=x−x2, then the rate of change of y2 with respect to x2 at x=2 is (A) 0 (B) −1 (C) 3 (D) 9
›Reveal solutionSolution
"Rate of change of y2 w.r.t. x2" means d(x2)d(y2), computed by dividing derivatives with respect to x.
Concept and Intuition
When asked for the derivative of one quantity with respect to another (neither being the independent variable x), use dvdu=dv/dxdu/dx. Here u=y2, v=x2, both expressed through the parameter x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=x−x2⇒y′=1−2x.
- dxd(y2)=2yy′ and dxd(x2)=2x.
- So d(x2)d(y2)=2x2yy′=xyy′.
- At x=2: y=2−4=−2, and y′=1−4=−3. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-FN1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of xsinx with respect to (sinx)x is (A) (sinx)x(x⋅cotx+logsinx)xsinx(xsinx+cosx⋅logx) (B) xsinx(xsinx+cosx⋅logx)(sinx)x(xcotx+logsinx) (C) y(xsinx+cosx⋅logx) (D) (sinx)x(xcotx+logsinx)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The "rate of change of y w.r.t. z" means dzdy=dz/dxdy/dx; use logarithmic differentiation on each variable-exponent function.
Concept and Intuition
For functions of the form (variable)variable, logarithmic differentiation converts the product/power mess into a clean sum, since logy=(exponent)log(base) turns multiplication into differentiable products.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let y=xsinx. Take logs: logy=sinxlogx.
- Differentiate: yy′=cosxlogx+xsinx, so y′=xsinx(xsinx+cosxlogx).
- Let z=(sinx)x. Take logs: logz=xlog(sinx).
- Differentiate: zz′=log(sinx)+x⋅sinxcosx=logsinx+xcotx, so z′=(sinx)x(xcotx+logsinx). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-24-AN1 markMCQQ.For the curve y=5x−2x3, if 'x' increases at the rate of 2 units/sec, the rate of change in the slope of the curve at x=3 is ________ /sec (A) 72 (B) 27 (C) -72 (D) -27
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiating the slope expression with respect to time (via the chain rule) and plugging in x=3, dx/dt=2 gives −72 per second.
Concept and Intuition
This is a related-rates problem: the "slope of the curve" is itself a function of x, namely dy/dx. Since x changes with time, the slope also changes with time, and we find that rate via the chain rule: dtd(slope)=dxd(slope)⋅dtdx.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=5x−2x3, so slope m=dxdy=5−6x2.
- Differentiate m with respect to x: dxdm=−12x.
- By the chain rule, dtdm=dxdm⋅dtdx=−12x⋅dtdx. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-AN1 markMCQQ.Given f(x)=x3−4x, if 'x' changes from 2 to 1.99, then the approximate change in the value of f(x) is ______. (A) 0.08 (B) −0.08 (C) 0.8 (D) −0.8
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the linear (differential) approximation Δf≈f′(x)Δx. Answer: −0.08.
Concept and Intuition
For small changes, Δf≈f′(x)Δx — this is the first-order Taylor/differential approximation, exactly what "approximate change" is asking for.
Step-by-Step Solution
- f(x)=x3−4x⇒f′(x)=3x2−4.
- At x=2: f′(2)=3(4)−4=8.
- Δx=1.99−2=−0.01. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.The radius and the height of a right circular solid cone are measured as 7 feet each. If there is an error of 0.002 ft for every feet in measuring them, then the error in the total surface area of the cone (in sq. ft) is (A) (0.088)(2+1) (B) (0.616)(2+1) (C) (0.616)(2) (D) (0.088)(2)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Propagate the proportional measurement error (0.002 per foot on both r and h=7) through the total-surface-area formula of a cone; the error works out to 0.196π(2+1)≈0.616(2+1) sq ft.
Concept and Intuition
Errors in measured quantities propagate to derived quantities (like surface area) via the total differential: if S=S(r,h), then dS≈∂r∂SΔr+∂h∂SΔh. Here the slant height l=r2+h2 also depends on both r and h, so we must differentiate it too.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Total surface area of a right circular cone: S=πrl+πr2, where l=r2+h2 is the slant height.
- Given r=h=7 ft, so l=49+49=72 ft.
- Error rate: 0.002 ft per foot measured, so Δr=Δh=0.002×7=0.014 ft.
- Differentiate S: dS=πldr+πrdl+2πrdr, where dl=lrdr+hdh (from differentiating l2=r2+h2).
- Since r=h and Δr=Δh, by symmetry dl=r2rΔr+rΔr=r22rΔr=Δr2.
- Substitute back: dS=π(r2)Δr+πr(Δr2)+2πrΔr=2πrΔr2+2πrΔr=2πrΔr(2+1). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If the radius of a sphere is measured as 9 cm with an error of 0.03 cm, then find the approximate error in calculating its surface area. (A) 2.16π cm2 (B) 21.6π cm2 (C) 216π cm2 (D) 0.216π cm2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests using differentials to approximate the propagated error in surface area from a small error in radius. Answer: 2.16π cm2.
Concept and Intuition
For small errors, ΔS≈dS=drdSdr, turning a nonlinear error-propagation problem into simple differentiation and substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Surface area of a sphere: S=4πr2.
- drdS=8πr.
- Given r=9 cm and dr=0.03 cm: dS=8π(9)(0.03).
- 8×9=72; 72×0.03=2.16. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.The surface area of a cube is 150 sq. cm. If it is increased by 0.025 sq. cm, then the approximate increase in its volume (in c.c.) is (A) 0.0725 (B) 0.04 (C) 0.032 (D) 0.03125
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests using differentials to propagate a small change in surface area to a small change in volume via the common edge length; the answer is 0.03125 c.c.
Concept and Intuition
Both the surface area S=6x2 and volume V=x3 of a cube depend only on the edge x. A small change dS produces a corresponding small change dx (via dS=12xdx), and that same dx then produces dV=3x2dx — this is the standard differentials/approximation technique.
Step-by-Step Solution
- S=6x2=150⇒x2=25⇒x=5 cm.
- dS=12xdx⇒0.025=12(5)dx=60dx⇒dx=600.025=24001 cm. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If the percentage error in the radius of circle is 3, then the percentage error in its area is (A) 6 (B) 23 (C) 2 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
For A=πr2, percentage error in area = 2× percentage error in radius =2×3=6%.
Concept and Intuition
When a quantity is a power of another, A=krn, small relative errors combine as AdA=nrdr. Here n=2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- A=πr2⇒dA=2πrdr.
- AdA=πr22πrdr=2rdr. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-FN1 markMCQQ.If the error committed in measuring the radius of a circle is 0.05 %, then the corresponding error in calculating its area would be ____ (A) 0.05 % (B) 0.0025 % (C) 0.25 % (D) 0.1 %
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests error propagation through a power-law formula: for A∝rn, the percentage error in A is n times the percentage error in r. Here n=2, so the area error is double the radius error.
Concept and Intuition
When a measured quantity is used in a formula, small errors propagate. If A=krn for a constant k and integer power n, taking logarithms gives logA=logk+nlogr. Differentiating, AdA=nrdr. This is the standard rule: percentage error in a power gets multiplied by that power.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Area of a circle: A=πr2.
- Taking logarithmic differential: AdA=2rdr. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.The semi-vertical angle of a right circular cone is 45°. If the radius of the base of the cone is measured as 14 cm with an error of (112−1)cm, then the approximate error in measuring its total surface area is (in sq. cm) (A) 14 (B) 8 (C) 5 (D) 3
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use differentials to propagate the radius error through the cone's total surface area formula; dS≈8 sq. cm.
Concept and Intuition
Small errors propagate through a formula S=S(r) via dS≈S′(r)dr — the differential approximation. Here we first need S purely in terms of r, using the given semi-vertical angle to eliminate the slant height and height.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Semi-vertical angle θ=45° means tanθ=hr=1⇒h=r, and sinθ=lr⇒l=sin45°r=r2.
- Total surface area: S=πr2+πrl=πr2+πr(r2)=πr2(1+2).
- Differentiate: drdS=2πr(1+2).
- Approximate error: dS=2πr(1+2)dr, with r=14, dr=112−1.
- dS=2π(14)(1+2)⋅112−1=1128π[(1+2)(2−1)].
- (1+2)(2−1)=(2)2−12=2−1=1 (difference of squares). …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-19-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=(1+α+α2+…)enx, where α and n are constants, then the relative error in y is (A) error in x (B) percentage error in x (C) n⋅(error in x) (D) n⋅(Relative error in x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since the geometric-series prefactor is just a constant, y reduces to kenx, and its relative error works out to n times the (absolute) error in x.
Concept and Intuition
"Relative error in y" means ydy (the fractional change), not dy itself. Since 1+α+α2+⋯ doesn't depend on x at all (it's built purely from the constant α), it just scales enx by a fixed factor k — and that scale factor cancels out entirely when we take the ratio dy/y, leaving a clean relationship between y's relative error and x's (absolute) error.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Since ∣α∣<1 (implicitly, for the series to converge), 1+α+α2+⋯=1−α1=k, a constant.
- So y=kenx.
- Differentiate: dy=k⋅nenxdx.
- Relative error in y is ydy=kenxknenxdx=ndx. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If the displacement of a particle at time t (0<t<π) is given by s=3sin2t−6cost, then the acceleration for the values of t at which its velocity is zero is (A) 0 units/sec2 (B) 2 units/sec2 (C) 3 units/sec2 (D) 4 units/sec2
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests differentiating a displacement function twice and correctly restricting the domain when solving the velocity=0 equation. The acceleration at the valid instant is 0.
Concept and Intuition
Velocity is the first time-derivative of displacement, acceleration the second. The subtlety here is that the equation v=0 has two algebraic roots, but only one lies in the physically/mathematically allowed range 0<t<π (where sint≥0), so we must discard the extraneous root before computing acceleration.
Step-by-Step Solution
- s=3sin2t−6cost. Differentiate: v=dtds=6cos2t+6sint.
- Set v=0: cos2t+sint=0.
- Use cos2t=1−2sin2t: 1−2sin2t+sint=0⇒2sin2t−sint−1=0.
- Factor: (2sint+1)(sint−1)=0⇒sint=1 or sint=−21.
- For 0<t<π, sint≥0 always, so sint=−21 is rejected. Only sint=1, i.e. t=π/2, is admissible.
- Differentiate v again: a=dtdv=−12sin2t+6cost. …
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