Q.Find the rate of change of the area of a circle per second with respect to its radius r when r=5 cm.
Concept understanding — Rate Of Change
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.
The units matter. If s is in metres and t in seconds, then dtds is a speed in metres per second. Always attach the right units to a rate — it turns an abstract derivative into a meaningful physical statement.
Everything else in this chapter — tangents, increasing/decreasing behaviour, maxima and minima — builds on this single idea: the derivative is a rate of change.
Rate of change as an application of derivatives is one of the very first topics in the NCERT Class 12 Application of Derivatives chapter, tested in nearly every CBSE board paper and JEE Main sitting. "Rate of change formula class 12 examples" is a top search term, and related-rates problems built on this idea (like the growing-circle example) are a recurring board exam question type.
Idea: "Rate of change of area with respect to the radius" means the derivative drdA — no time is involved, so we just differentiate and substitute.
The area of a circle is A=πr2. Differentiate with respect to r:
drdA=2πr.
At r=5 cm,
drdA=2π(5)=10π.
The area changes at the rate drdA=10π cm2/cm≈31.4 cm2 per cm of radius, when r=5 cm.
The rate of change of a circle's area with respect to its radius is drdA=2πr, which is 10π cm2/cm at r=5 cm.
Read the question carefully
We are asked for the rate at which the area changes with respect to the radius — that is precisely the derivative drdA. This is a plain derivative evaluation, not a related-rates (time) problem: no rate dtdr is given, so we must not invent one.
Step 1 — Write the area formula
A=πr2.
Step 2 — Differentiate with respect to r
Since π is a constant,
drdA=drd(πr2)=2πr.
Nicely, this is just the circumference of the circle: increasing the radius by a sliver dr adds a thin ring of area ≈2πrdr.
Step 3 — Substitute r=5 cm
drdAr=5=2π(5)=10π≈31.42.
Units
Area is in cm2 and radius in cm, so drdA is in cm2/cm — square centimetres of area per centimetre of radius. (The word "per second" in the question is loose textbook phrasing; nothing here depends on time.)
Do not write this as dtdA or attach units of cm2/s. That would require a given time-rate dtdr, which the problem does not provide.
When r=5 cm, the area changes at the rate drdA=2πr=10π cm2/cm (≈31.4 cm2 per cm).
Method: Distinguishing a Plain Derivative from a Related-Rates (Time) Derivative
This method teaches how to read a rate-of-change question carefully to decide whether it is asking for a plain derivative with respect to a given variable, or a related-rates derivative with respect to time — the two require different information and different setups.
Steps
Step 1: Identify exactly what the question is differentiating with respect to what
Read the phrase carefully: "rate of change of A with respect to r" means drdA — a plain derivative, evaluated at a given value of r. It is different from "rate of change of A with respect to time," which would be dtdA and would require a given value of dtdr.
Step 2: Check whether a time-rate is actually given
If the problem never states how fast r itself is changing (no dtdr or "increasing at ... cm/s" for r), then no time variable is genuinely in play, regardless of stray wording like "per second" — you cannot invent a rate that isn't given.
Step 3: Write the formula connecting the two quantities
A=πr2.
Step 4: Differentiate directly with respect to the variable named in the question
drdA=2πr.
Step 5: Substitute the given value and attach the correct units
Evaluate at the given r, and state units as (units of A) per (unit of r) — e.g. cm2/cm — never a per-second unit unless a genuine time-rate was computed.
This same read-the-question-first discipline applies whenever a problem's wording is ambiguous between a plain derivative and a related-rates derivative — always check what quantity is actually given a rate before setting up the differentiation.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Treating this as a related-rates (time) problem because of the phrase "per second"
A student sets up dtdA=2πrdtdr and either invents a value for dtdr or leaves it as an unexplained symbol. Why it's wrong: the question explicitly asks for the rate of change of area with respect to the radius, not with respect to time — no dtdr is given anywhere, so introducing one fabricates information that was never provided. Correct approach: differentiate A=πr2 directly with respect to r to get drdA=2πr, ignoring the loose "per second" phrasing.
Mistake 2: Attaching time-based units (like cm2/s) to the final answer
Even a student who differentiates correctly may then write the answer with an "s" (seconds) unit out of habit. Why it's wrong: since no time-rate was computed, the answer's units must be (area unit) per (length unit) — cm2/cm — not a rate per second. Correct approach: match the units to exactly what was differentiated with respect to what.
Showing the 12 most recent of 24 on this concept.
- CBSE 2026Set 65/3/11 markMCQQ.The rate of change of the volume of a sphere with respect to its diameter, when its radius is 5 cm, is: (A) 400π cm3/cm (B) 100π cm3/cm (C) 50π cm3/cm (D) 25π cm3/cm
›Reveal solutionSolution
We need to find the rate of change of the sphere's volume with respect to its diameter, which is dDdV. Using the chain rule, dDdV=drdV⋅dDdr, we find this rate to be 2πr2. For a radius of 5 cm, the rate is 50π cm3/cm.
When we talk about the "rate of change of the volume of a sphere with respect to its diameter," we are essentially asking for the derivative of the volume (V) with respect to the diameter (D). In mathematical terms, this is dDdV.
The volume of a sphere is typically expressed in terms of its radius, r. The diameter, D, is related to the radius by D=2r. To find dDdV, we can either express V entirely in terms of D and then differentiate, or we can use the chain rule. The chain rule is often more intuitive for problems like this, as it breaks down the problem into smaller, more manageable derivatives. It states that if V depends on r, and r depends on D, then dDdV=drdV⋅dDdr.
Let's work through the problem step-by-step.
- Identify the relevant formulas and relationships. The volume of a sphere is given by:
V=34πr3
The relationship between the radius ($r$) and the diameter ($D$) is:D=2r
From this, we can express $r$ in terms of $D$:r=2D
We are given that the radius $r = 5$ cm. We need to find $\frac{dV}{dD}$ at this specific radius.2. Find the rate of change of volume with respect to radius (drdV).
We differentiate the volume formula V=34πr3 with respect to r:
drdV=drd(34πr3)
drdV=34π⋅3r2
drdV=4πr2
This tells us how quickly the volume changes as the radius changes.3. Find the rate of change of radius with respect to diameter (dDdr).
We use the relationship r=2D and differentiate it with respect to D:
dDdr=dDd(2D)
dDdr=21
This makes sense: for every unit increase in diameter, the radius increases by half a unit.4. Apply the Chain Rule to find dDdV.
Now we combine the two rates using the chain rule:
> [!FORMULA]
> The Chain Rule for related rates:
> dDdV=drdV⋅dDdr
Substitute the expressions we found in steps 2 and 3:
dDdV=(4πr2)⋅(21)
dDdV=2πr2
This expression gives the rate of change of the volume with respect to the diameter for any given radius $r$.5. Substitute the given radius value.
We are asked to find this rate when the radius is 5 cm. Substitute r=5 into the expression for dDdV:
dDdV=2π(5)2
dDdV=2π(25)
dDdV=50π
The units for volume are $\text{cm}^3$ and for diameter are $\text{cm}$, so the unit for the rate of change is $\text{cm}^3/\text{cm}$.✓Final answerThe rate of change of the volume of a sphere with respect to its diameter, when its radius is 5 cm, is 50π cm3/cm.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r at r = 5 cm is(a) 12π(b) 8π(c) 5π(d) 10π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The area of a circle is A=πr2; its rate of change with r is dA/dr=2πr.
A=πr2⇒drdA=2πr.
At r=5 cm: drdA=2π(5)=10π cm²/cm.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (d) 10π.
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of area of circle w.r.t. its radius 'r' when r = 4 cm is(a) 8π cm²/cm(b) 6π cm²/cm(c) 4π cm²/cm(d) 2π cm²/cm
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rate of change of area with radius is dA/dr=2πr; substitute r=4.
Area of a circle: A=πr2.
drdA=2πr
At r=4 cm:
drdAr=4=2π(4)=8π cm2/cm.
✓Final answer8π cm2/cm. (Option a)
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of area of a circle with respect to its radius r at r=6 cm is(a) 10π cm(b) 12π cm(c) 8π cm(d) 11π cm
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate the area formula A=πr2 with respect to r and evaluate at r=6.
Area of a circle: A=πr2
drdA=2πr
At r=6 cm:
drdAr=6=2π(6)=12π
✓Final answer(b) 12π cm
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r at r=6 cm is:(a)(i) 8\pi(b)(ii) 10\pi(c)(iii) 11\pi(d)(iv) 12\pi
›Reveal solutionSolution
drdA=2πr=12π at r=6 cm — option (iv).
Concept. The rate of change of a quantity with respect to a variable is its derivative with respect to that variable.
Steps.
-
Area of a circle: A=πr2.
-
Differentiate with respect to r: drdA=2πr.
-
Substitute r=6 cm: drdA=2π(6)=12π.
✓Final answerdrdAr=6=12π cm2/cm — option (iv).
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- CBSE 2025Set A1 markQ.The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius at r=6 cm is ______.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area of a circle is A=πr2; differentiate with respect to r and substitute r=6.
Area of a circle: A=πr2.
drdA=2πr
At r=6 cm:
drdAr=6=2π(6)=12π cm2/cm
✓Final answer12π cm² per cm.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.Find the rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r when r=2.5 cm.
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius is drdA.
A=πr2⇒drdA=2πr
At r=2.5: drdA=2π(2.5)=5π cm2 per cm.
✓Final answer5π cm2/cm (≈15.71 cm2/cm).
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of area of a circle w.r.t. its radius 'r' when r = 5 cm is :(a) 8π cm²/cm(b) 10π cm²/cm(c) 9π cm²/cm(d) 16π cm²/cm
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area of a circle A=πr2; rate of change drdA=2πr, which at r=5 gives 10π.
Given A=πr2, differentiate with respect to r:
drdA=2πr.
At r=5 cm:
drdAr=5=2π(5)=10π cm2/cm.
✓Final answer(b) 10π cm2/cm.
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of the area of circle with respect to its radius r at r=6 cm is(a) 6π cm2/cm(b) 6π cm/cm2(c) 12π cm2/cm(d) 12π cm/cm2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate the area formula A=πr2 w.r.t. r and substitute r=6.
Area of circle: A=πr2.
drdA=2πr
At r=6 cm:
drdAr=6=2π(6)=12π cm2/cm
✓Final answer12π cm2/cm — option (c)
- CBSE 2024Set 65/3/11 markMCQQ.If the sides of a square are decreasing at the rate of 1.5 cm/s, the rate of decrease of its perimeter is: (A) 1.5 cm/s (B) 6 cm/s (C) 3 cm/s (D) 2.25 cm/s
›Reveal solutionSolution
The perimeter of a square is directly proportional to its side length. If the side decreases at 1.5 cm/s, the perimeter decreases at 4 times that rate, which is 6 cm/s. The correct option is (B).
This problem asks us to find the rate at which the perimeter of a square is decreasing, given the rate at which its sides are decreasing. This is a classic "related rates" problem in calculus. The core idea is to establish a relationship between the quantities involved (side length and perimeter), and then differentiate that relationship with respect to time to find how their rates of change are related.
When we talk about a "rate of change," we are essentially talking about a derivative with respect to time. If a quantity is decreasing, its rate of change will be negative.
Here's how we approach it:
-
Identify the variables and given rates.
Let s be the side length of the square at any given time t.
Let P be the perimeter of the square at any given time t.
We are given that the sides of the square are decreasing at the rate of 1.5 cm/s. In calculus terms, this means the derivative of the side length with respect to time, dtds, is −1.5 cm/s. The negative sign indicates a decrease.
Our goal is to find the rate of decrease of the perimeter, which means we need to find dtdP.
-
Establish a relationship between the variables.
The formula for the perimeter of a square with side length s is:
P=4s
- Differentiate the relationship with respect to time. To find how the rates of change are related, we differentiate both sides of the equation P=4s with respect to time t. We use the chain rule here.
dtdP=dtd(4s)
Since $4$ is a constant, we can pull it out of the differentiation:dtdP=4dtds
This equation tells us that the rate of change of the perimeter is $4$ times the rate of change of the side. This makes intuitive sense: if each of the four sides shrinks by a certain amount, the total perimeter shrinks by four times that amount.4. Substitute the given rate and calculate.
We know dtds=−1.5 cm/s. Substitute this value into the equation from step 3:
dtdP=4(−1.5)
dtdP=−6
The unit for $\frac{dP}{dt}$ will be cm/s, consistent with the units of $\frac{ds}{dt}$. The result $\frac{dP}{dt} = -6$ cm/s means that the perimeter is changing at a rate of $-6$ cm/s. Since the question asks for the "rate of *decrease*", we state the positive value of this rate. > [!WARNING] > Be careful with the sign. If the problem asks for the "rate of decrease," the answer should be a positive value. The negative sign in $\frac{dP}{dt}$ simply indicates that the quantity is decreasing. Therefore, the rate of decrease of the perimeter is $6$ cm/s. Comparing this with the given options: (A) $1.5$ cm/s (B) $6$ cm/s (C) $3$ cm/s (D) $2.25$ cm/s The calculated rate matches option (B).✓Final answerThe rate of decrease of the perimeter is 6 cm/s.
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- CBSE 2024Set D1 markMCQQ.The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r (in cm2/cm) at r=6cm is(a) 10π(b) 12π(c) 8π(d) 11π
›Reveal solutionSolution
drdA=2πr, which at r=6 equals 12π.
Area of a circle: A=πr2.
Rate of change of area with respect to radius: drdA=2πr.
At r=6cm: drdA=2π(6)=12π cm2/cm.
✓Final answer(b) 12π.
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markQ.The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r at r=3 cm is ________.
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate the area formula A=πr2 w.r.t. r and evaluate at r=3.
A=πr2⇒drdA=2πr
At r=3: drdA=2π(3)=6π cm² per cm.
✓Final answer6π cm²/cm
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