Q.A particle moves along the curve 6y=x3+2. Find the points on the curve at which the y-coordinate is changing 8 times as fast as the x-coordinate.
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Related Rates
The idea: quantities that change together
Many real situations involve two or more quantities that all vary with time, linked by a fixed relationship. Inflate a balloon and its radius and volume both grow; slide a ladder down a wall and the top's height and the foot's distance both change. A related-rates problem gives you the rate at which one quantity is changing and asks for the rate of another, at some instant.
The key insight: if the quantities are tied together by an equation, then their rates are tied together too. We uncover that link by differentiating the equation with respect to time t.
The core mechanism: differentiate with respect to time
Every variable is a function of t, so differentiating brings in the chain rule — each variable's derivative picks up a factor of its own rate. For example, if the volume of a sphere is V=34πr3, then differentiating both sides with respect to t gives
dtdV=4πr2dtdr.
This single equation connects the rate the volume grows, dtdV, to the rate the radius grows, dtdr. Knowing one (and the current r) gives the other.
The standard procedure
Solving a related-rates problem
- Identify the quantities that change with time and the rate you want.
- Write an equation relating those quantities (geometry, a formula, etc.).
- Differentiate both sides with respect to t, treating every variable as a function of t.
- Substitute the known values and the known rate at the given instant.
- Solve for the unknown rate.
Worked example
Air is pumped into a spherical balloon at dtdV=100 cm3/s. How fast is the radius increasing when r=5 cm?
From dtdV=4πr2dtdr, substitute dtdV=100 and r=5:
100=4π(5)2dtdr=100πdtdr⟹dtdr=π1 cm/s. …
Concept: Related Rates — we relate dtdy and dtdx using the derivative of the given relation.
Step 1: Differentiate 6y=x3+2 with respect to t:
6dtdy=3x2dtdx
Step 2: We are told dtdy=8dtdx. Substitute:
6(8dtdx)=3x2dtdx
Step 3: Cancel dtdx (non-zero at the points of interest) and solve:
48=3x2⇒x2=16⇒x=±4 …
We use related rates: differentiate the curve equation with respect to time, set dtdy=8dtdx, and solve for x and y. The required points are (4,11) and (−4,−331).
This is a classic related rates problem. The key idea: when two quantities are linked by an equation, their rates of change are also linked. Here, x and y move together along the curve 6y=x3+2, and we are told that at some instant, the y-coordinate is changing 8 times faster than the x-coordinate. That means dtdy=8dtdx.
We don't know the time t explicitly — we don't need to. We just differentiate the curve equation with respect to t, substitute the rate relationship, and solve for the coordinates.
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Differentiate the curve equation with respect to time t.
The curve is:
6y=x3+2
Differentiate both sides with respect to t (remember x and y are functions of t):
6dtdy=3x2dtdx
This is the core related-rates equation linking dtdy and dtdx.
-
Apply the given condition.
We are told: the y-coordinate changes 8 times as fast as the x-coordinate. That means:
dtdy=8dtdx
Substitute this into the differentiated equation:
6⋅8dtdx=3x2dtdx
So:
48dtdx=3x2dtdx
-
Solve for x.
If dtdx=0, then the x-coordinate isn't changing at all — but then dtdy=0 as well, which would mean the rate condition 8×0=0 holds trivially. However, the problem asks for points where the y-coordinate is changing 8 times as fast as the x-coordinate, implying both rates are non-zero. So we assume dtdx=0 and divide both sides by it:
48=3x2
x2=16
x=±4 …
Method: Related Rates on a Curve — Finding WHERE a Given Rate Ratio Holds
This method applies when a particle moves along a curve y=f(x) and you are told the ratio between dtdy and dtdx at some unspecified instant, and asked to find the point(s) on the curve where that ratio occurs.
Steps
Step 1: Differentiate the curve's equation with respect to time t
Treat both x and y as functions of t and differentiate implicitly. Every term picks up its own rate via the chain rule — e.g. differentiating a term in xn gives nxn−1dtdx.
Step 2: Translate the given rate relationship into an equation
A phrase like "y-coordinate changing k times as fast as the x-coordinate" means
dtdy=kdtdx.
Step 3: Substitute this relationship into the differentiated curve equation
This leaves an equation with a common factor of dtdx on both sides.
Step 4: Cancel dtdx and solve the resulting purely algebraic equation for x …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Keeping only the positive root and discarding x=−4
Why it's wrong: x2=16 has TWO real solutions, x=4 and x=−4, and the curve 6y=x3+2 is defined for negative x too — dropping the negative root misses a genuine point on the curve that satisfies the given rate condition. Correct approach: always list both roots of a squared equation like x2=16, and check each one against the original curve equation.
Mistake 2: Reporting only the x-coordinates as the final answer
Why it's wrong: the question asks for "points on the curve", which means ordered pairs (x,y) — stopping after finding x=±4 leaves the answer incomplete. Correct approach: substitute each x-value back into 6y=x3+2 to compute the matching y, and state the full coordinate pairs.
Mistake 3: Cancelling dtdx without justification …
Showing the 12 most recent of 17 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.A point is moving on the curve y=x3−3x2+2x−1 and the y-coordinate of the point is increasing at the rate of 6 units per second. When the point is at (2,−1), the rate of change of x-coordinate of the point is (A) 3 (B) 21 (C) −21 (D) −3
›Reveal solutionSolution
A related-rates problem: knowing dy/dt and the curve's slope at the given point lets us solve directly for dx/dt. The answer is 3.
Concept and Intuition
For a point moving along y=f(x), the rates of change of x and y with respect to time are linked through the chain rule dtdy=f′(x)dtdx — the curve's local slope is exactly the conversion factor between the two rates at that instant.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=x3−3x2+2x−1⇒dxdy=3x2−6x+2.
- At the point (2,−1): dxdy=3(4)−6(2)+2=12−12+2=2. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.A is a point on the circle with radius 8 and centre at O. A particle P is moving on the circumference of the circle starting from A. M is the foot of the perpendicular from P on OA and ∠POM=θ. When OM=4 and dtdθ=6 radians/sec, then the rate of change of PM is (in units/sec) (A) 243 (B) 24 (C) 153 (D) 483
›Reveal solutionSolution
M is the foot of the perpendicular from P to line OA, so OM=OPcosθ and PM=OPsinθ in the right triangle OMP; differentiate PM with respect to time.
Concept and Intuition
As P moves around the circle, the right triangle OMP (right-angled at M) has hypotenuse OP=8 (the radius) fixed, and angle θ=∠POM varying with time. So OM and PM are both simple trig functions of θ, and their time-rates follow directly by the chain rule using θ˙.
Step-by-Step Solution
- In right triangle OMP (right angle at M): OM=OPcosθ=8cosθ and PM=OPsinθ=8sinθ.
- Given OM=4: 8cosθ=4⇒cosθ=21⇒θ=60∘, and sinθ=23.
- Differentiate PM=8sinθ with respect to time: dtd(PM)=8cosθ⋅dtdθ. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-19-AN1 markMCQQ.Let 'x' and 'y' be the sides of two squares such that y=x−x2. The rate of change of area of the second square with respect to area of the first square is ______. (A) 1−3x+2x2 (B) 1+3x−2x2 (C) 2x (D) x+2x3−3x2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the chain rule to compute a derivative of one area with respect to another, both parametrized by x. Answer: 1−3x+2x2.
Concept and Intuition
"Rate of change of Area2 w.r.t. Area1" means d(Area1)d(Area2), which by the chain rule equals d(Area1)/dxd(Area2)/dx since both areas are functions of the common parameter x.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Area1 =x2⇒dxd(Area1)=2x.
- Area2 =y2=(x−x2)2⇒dxd(Area2)=2(x−x2)(1−2x). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.The diameter and altitude of a right circular cone, at a certain instant, were found to be 10 cm and 20 cm respectively. If its diameter is increasing at a rate of 2 cm/s, then at what rate must its altitude change, in order to keep its volume constant? (A) 4 cm/s (B) 6 cm/s (C) −4 cm/s (D) −8 cm/s
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests related rates: differentiating the volume of a cone with respect to time and setting the total rate of change to zero to keep volume constant. Answer: −8 cm/s.
Concept and Intuition
When a quantity built from several changing variables must stay constant, differentiate the formula with respect to time and set the total derivative to zero — this links the individual rates of change together.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Diameter =10 cm ⇒ radius r=5 cm; height h=20 cm.
- Diameter increasing at 2 cm/s ⇒dtd(2r)=2⇒dtdr=1 cm/s.
- Volume: V=31πr2h. Differentiate with respect to t: dtdV=31π(2rhdtdr+r2dtdh).
- For constant volume, dtdV=0⇒2rhdtdr+r2dtdh=0. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.If the surface area of a spherical bubble is increasing at the rate of 4 sq.cm/sec, then the rate of change in its volume (in cubic cm/sec) when its radius is 8 cms is (A) 8 (B) 12 (C) 15 (D) 16
›Reveal solutionSolution
A related-rates problem: given dtdS, find dtdV by eliminating dtdr through the common variable r. Answer: 16 cubic cm/sec.
Concept and Intuition
Both surface area S and volume V of a sphere depend on the single variable r (radius), which itself changes with time. The strategy in any related-rates problem is: express both quantities in terms of the shared variable, differentiate each with respect to time using the chain rule, and then eliminate the unknown rate (dtdr here) between the two equations.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Surface area: S=4πr2. Differentiating w.r.t. t: dtdS=8πrdtdr.
- We're given dtdS=4, so 8πrdtdr=4⇒dtdr=8πr4=2πr1.
- Volume: V=34πr3. Differentiating w.r.t. t: dtdV=4πr2dtdr.
- Substitute dtdr from step 2: …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-AN1 markMCQQ.If the rate of increase in the surface area of a cube is 6 sq.cm./sec, then the rate of increase in its volume (in c.c./sec), when the length of its edge is 12 cm, is (A) 6 (B) 12 (C) 18 (D) 9
›Reveal solutionSolution
A related-rates problem: convert the given rate of change of surface area into the rate of change of the edge length, then into the rate of change of volume.
Concept and Intuition
Both surface area and volume of a cube are functions of the single variable a (the edge length), so differentiating each with respect to time and using the chain rule links their rates through da/dt — the one quantity actually changing independently.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Surface area: S=6a2⇒dtdS=12adtda.
- Given dtdS=6: 12adtda=6⇒dtda=2a1.
- Volume: V=a3⇒dtdV=3a2dtda. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-AN1 markMCQQ.The volume of a spherical balloon is increasing at the rate of 30 cc per minute. Find the rate of change of surface area of the balloon, when its radius is 6 cm. (A) 5 cm2.min−1 (B) 30 cm2.min−1 (C) 10 cm2.min−1 (D) 20 cm2.min−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
A standard related-rates chain: volume rate → radius rate → surface-area rate. The answer is 10 cm2/min.
Concept and Intuition
Both V and S of a sphere depend only on r, so their rates of change are linked through dr/dt via the chain rule. First use the given dV/dt to find dr/dt at the specified radius, then plug that into dS/dt.
Step-by-Step Solution
- V=34πr3⇒dtdV=4πr2dtdr.
- Given dtdV=30 cc/min and r=6 cm: 30=4π(6)2dtdr=144πdtdr.
- dtdr=144π30=24π5 cm/min.
- S=4πr2⇒dtdS=8πrdtdr. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If the velocity of a particle moving on a straight line is proportional to the cube root of its displacement, then its acceleration is (A) constant (B) inversely proportional to its velocity (C) proportional to its velocity (D) proportional to its displacement
›Reveal solutionSolution
Express acceleration as vdv/dx, substitute the given proportionality, and eliminate x in favour of v. Answer: acceleration is inversely proportional to velocity.
Concept and Intuition
For motion along a straight line, acceleration can be written as a=dtdv=vdxdv (chain rule through position). Given a relation between v and x, this lets us compute a purely as a function of x, and then re-express it in terms of v using the same original relation.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given v∝x1/3, write v=kx1/3 for some constant k.
- dxdv=3kx−2/3.
- a=vdxdv=kx1/3⋅3kx−2/3=3k2x−1/3.
- From v=kx1/3, cube both sides: v3=k3x⇒x=k3v3, so x−1/3=vk.
- Substitute: a=3k2⋅vk=3vk3. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.If a man of height 1.8 mt. is walking away from the foot of a light pole of height 6 mt. with a speed of 7 km per hour on a straight horizontal road opposite to the pole, then the rate of change of the length of his shadow is (in kmph) (A) 7 (B) 5 (C) 3 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Similar triangles link shadow length to distance walked; the shadow grows at 3 kmph.
Concept and Intuition
The tip of the shadow, the top of the pole, and the top of the man's head are collinear (that's what casts the shadow). This gives a similar-triangles relationship between the man's distance from the pole and his shadow's length, which can be differentiated with respect to time (related rates).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let x = distance of the man from the pole, s = length of his shadow. The tip of the shadow is at distance x+s from the pole.
- Similar triangles (pole-to-shadow-tip vs man-to-shadow-tip): x+spole height=sman height⇒x+s6=s1.8.
- Cross-multiply: 6s=1.8(x+s)=1.8x+1.8s⇒4.2s=1.8x⇒s=4.21.8x=73x. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-23-AN1 markMCQQ.The volume of a spherical ball is increasing at a rate of 4π cm3.s−1. The rate at which its radius increases, when its volume is 288π cm3, is ______ cm.s−1. (A) 61 (B) 361 (C) 91 (D) 241
›Reveal solutionSolution
Related rates on V=34πr3 give dtdr=r21, and at the given volume r=6, so dtdr=361.
Concept and Intuition
This is a classic related-rates problem: differentiate the volume formula with respect to time using the chain rule, then substitute the known rate and the radius at the instant of interest (found from the given volume).
Step-by-Step Solution
- V=34πr3.
- Differentiate w.r.t. time: dtdV=4πr2dtdr.
- Given dtdV=4π: 4π=4πr2dtdr⇒dtdr=r21.
- Find r when V=288π: 34πr3=288π⇒r3=216⇒r=6. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If a cylindrical tank of radius 3 m is filled with water at the rate of 23 m3/sec, then the rate of change of its water level in (m/sec) is (A) 3π1 (B) 2π1 (C) π1 (D) 6π1
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests related rates for a cylinder of fixed radius; the water level rises at 6π1 m/s.
Concept and Intuition
Since the radius doesn't change as the tank fills, the volume V=πr2h is a function of h alone (with r a constant), so differentiating with respect to time directly links dV/dt to dh/dt through the constant cross-sectional area πr2.
Step-by-Step Solution
- V=πr2h, with r=3 constant, so V=9πh.
- Differentiate w.r.t. time: dtdV=9πdtdh. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.If the volume of a sphere is increasing at the rate of 12 c.c./sec, then the rate (in sq. cm/sec) at which its surface area is increasing, when the diameter of the sphere is 12 cm is (A) 2 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) 6
›Reveal solutionSolution
This is a related-rates problem: given how fast volume grows, find how fast surface area grows at a specific radius; the answer is 4 cm2/s.
Concept and Intuition
Both V and S of a sphere depend only on r, so differentiating each with respect to time and eliminating dtdr (found from the volume-rate condition) gives the surface-area rate.
Step-by-Step Solution
- V=34πr3, so dtdV=4πr2dtdr.
- Given dtdV=12 and diameter =12⇒r=6: 12=4π(36)dtdr⇒dtdr=144π12=12π1.
- S=4πr2⇒dtdS=8πrdtdr. …
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