Q.A balloon, which always remains spherical, has a variable diameter 23(2x+1). Find the rate of change of its volume with respect to x.
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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. …
Concept: Related Rates — we differentiate the volume formula with respect to x, using the given diameter to express the radius.
Step 1: Radius r is half the diameter:
r=21⋅23(2x+1)=43(2x+1)
Step 2: Volume of a sphere:
V=34πr3=34π[43(2x+1)]3
Step 3: Simplify and differentiate with respect to x: …
The problem asks for the rate of change of volume with respect to x, given the diameter as a function of x. Since volume depends on radius, and radius depends on diameter, we use the chain rule: differentiate the volume formula V=34πr3 after substituting r=43(2x+1). The final rate is dxdV=827π(2x+1)2.
This is a classic related rates problem, but with a twist: instead of time, the independent variable is x. The core idea is simple — when one quantity (here, the diameter) changes with x, anything that depends on it (like volume) also changes. The chain rule is our bridge.
Let’s walk through it.
- Write what’s given. The diameter D is:
D=23(2x+1)
Since the balloon is spherical, the radius r is half the diameter:
r=2D=43(2x+1)
- Recall the volume of a sphere.
V=34πr3
This is the fundamental relation. Our goal is dxdV, not drdV — so we need to connect V to x through r.
- Differentiate using the chain rule. We have V as a function of r, and r as a function of x. So:
dxdV=drdV⋅dxdr
First, drdV:
drdV=4πr2
Next, dxdr:
r=43(2x+1)⇒dxdr=43⋅2=23
- Multiply them.
dxdV=4πr2⋅23=6πr2
But r is still in terms of x — we must substitute back:
r=43(2x+1)⇒r2=169(2x+1)2
So: …
Method: Two-Link Chain Rule (Volume Depends on Radius, Radius Depends on x)
This method applies whenever the quantity you must differentiate (like volume) is not given directly as a function of the target variable (like x), but only indirectly, through an intermediate variable (like radius or diameter).
Steps
Step 1: Express the intermediate variable in terms of the target variable
If the diameter D is given as a function of x, first get the radius: r=2D, still written in terms of x.
Step 2: Write the volume formula in terms of the intermediate variable
V=34πr3.
Step 3: Apply the chain rule through the intermediate variable
Since V depends on r, and r depends on x, the chain rule gives
dxdV=drdV⋅dxdr=4πr2⋅dxdr.
Compute drdV and dxdr separately, then multiply.
Step 4: Substitute r (still in terms of x) back into the result
The product from Step 3 will contain r2 — replace this with the expression for r from Step 1, so the final derivative is entirely in terms of x, matching what the question asked for. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using the diameter formula directly as the radius
Why it's wrong: the problem gives the DIAMETER as 23(2x+1), not the radius — using this expression directly as r in the volume formula doubles the radius used and gives an answer 8× too large after cubing. Correct approach: always halve the given diameter first, r=21⋅23(2x+1)=43(2x+1), before substituting into V=34πr3.
Mistake 2: Leaving the final derivative expressed in terms of r instead of x
Why it's wrong: after computing drdV⋅dxdr, the result still contains r2 — reporting the answer with r still present doesn't answer "rate of change with respect to x", since x was the variable asked for. Correct approach: substitute r=43(2x+1) back in so the final expression is purely a function of x. …
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. …
- 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.
…
- 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: …
- 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: …
- 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. …
- 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: …
- 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
…
- 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: …
- 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: …
- 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. …
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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.
…
- 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
…
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