Rate - AP Calculus AB
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A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its sides when its sides have length 24?
A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its sides when its sides have length 24?
Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area in terms of the length of its sides:

The rates of change of the area can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equation with respect to time:

Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:



Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area in terms of the length of its sides:
The rates of change of the area can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equation with respect to time:
Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:
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A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its sides when its sides have length 30?
A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its sides when its sides have length 30?
Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area in terms of the length of its sides:

The rates of change of the area can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equation with respect to time:

Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:



Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area in terms of the length of its sides:
The rates of change of the area can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equation with respect to time:
Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:
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A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its sides when its sides have length 22?
A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its sides when its sides have length 22?
Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area in terms of the length of its sides:

The rates of change of the area can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equation with respect to time:

Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:



Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area in terms of the length of its sides:
The rates of change of the area can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equation with respect to time:
Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:
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The population of a town grows exponentially from
to
in
. What is the population growth constant?
The population of a town grows exponentially from to
in
. What is the population growth constant?
Exponential growth is modeled by the equation
where
is the final amount,
is the inital amount,
is the growth constant and
is time.
In this problem,
,
and
. Substituting these variables into the growth equation the solving for
gives us






Exponential growth is modeled by the equation
where is the final amount,
is the inital amount,
is the growth constant and
is time.
In this problem, ,
and
. Substituting these variables into the growth equation the solving for
gives us
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Cobalt-60 has a half-life of
. What is the decay constant of Cobalt-60?
Cobalt-60 has a half-life of . What is the decay constant of Cobalt-60?
The half-life of an isotope is the time it takes for half the isotope to disappear. Isotopes decay exponentially.
Exponential decay is also modeled by the equation 
where
is the final amount,
is the inital amount,
is the growth constant and
is time.
Since half the isotope has disappeared, the final amount
is half the inital amount
, or
.
In this problem,
.
Substituting these variables into the exponential equation and solving for
gives us





The half-life of an isotope is the time it takes for half the isotope to disappear. Isotopes decay exponentially.
Exponential decay is also modeled by the equation
where is the final amount,
is the inital amount,
is the growth constant and
is time.
Since half the isotope has disappeared, the final amount is half the inital amount
, or
.
In this problem, .
Substituting these variables into the exponential equation and solving for gives us
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A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its diagonal when its sides have length
?
A cube is diminishing in size. What is the ratio of the rate of loss of the cube's surface area to the rate of loss of its diagonal when its sides have length ?
Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area and diagonal in terms of the length of its sides:


The rates of change of these can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equations with respect to time:


Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:



Begin by writing the equations for a cube's dimensions. Namely its surface area and diagonal in terms of the length of its sides:
The rates of change of these can be found by taking the derivative of each side of the equations with respect to time:
Now, knowing the length of the sides, simply divide to find the ratio between the rate of change of the surface area and diagonal:
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The initial position of a particle is 0. If its velocity is described by v(t) = 4t + 5, what is its position at the time when the velocity is equal to 45?
The initial position of a particle is 0. If its velocity is described by v(t) = 4t + 5, what is its position at the time when the velocity is equal to 45?
The position s(t) is equal to ∫v(t) dt = ∫ 4t + 5 dt = 2t2 + 5t + C
Now, since we know that the initial position of the particle (at t = 0) is 0, we know C is 0. Therefore, s(t) = 2t2 + 5t + C
To find the time t when at which the velocity is 45, set v(t) equal to 45. 45 = 4t + 5 → 40 = 4t → t = 10
The position of the particle is s(10) = 2 * 102 + 50 = 200 + 50 = 250
The position s(t) is equal to ∫v(t) dt = ∫ 4t + 5 dt = 2t2 + 5t + C
Now, since we know that the initial position of the particle (at t = 0) is 0, we know C is 0. Therefore, s(t) = 2t2 + 5t + C
To find the time t when at which the velocity is 45, set v(t) equal to 45. 45 = 4t + 5 → 40 = 4t → t = 10
The position of the particle is s(10) = 2 * 102 + 50 = 200 + 50 = 250
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The position of a particle is defined by s(t) = 4t3 – 3t2 + 2t. At what time (to the nearest hundreth) is its velocity equal to 384?
The position of a particle is defined by s(t) = 4t3 – 3t2 + 2t. At what time (to the nearest hundreth) is its velocity equal to 384?
The position of a particle is defined by s(t) = 4t3 – 3t2 + 2t. At what time (to the nearest hundreth) is its velocity equal to 384?
Start by finding the velocity function:
v(t) = s'(t) = 12t2 – 6t + 2
To find the time, set v(t) equal to 384: 384 = 12t2 – 6t + 2
To solve, set equal the equation equal to 0: 12t2 – 6t – 382 = 0
Use the quadratic formula:
(–(–6) ± √(36 – 4*12*(–382)))/(2 * 12)
= (6 ± √(36 + 18336))/24 = (6 ± √(18372))/24 = (6 ± 2√(4593))/24
= (3 ± √(4593))/12
The position of a particle is defined by s(t) = 4t3 – 3t2 + 2t. At what time (to the nearest hundreth) is its velocity equal to 384?
Start by finding the velocity function:
v(t) = s'(t) = 12t2 – 6t + 2
To find the time, set v(t) equal to 384: 384 = 12t2 – 6t + 2
To solve, set equal the equation equal to 0: 12t2 – 6t – 382 = 0
Use the quadratic formula:
(–(–6) ± √(36 – 4*12*(–382)))/(2 * 12)
= (6 ± √(36 + 18336))/24 = (6 ± √(18372))/24 = (6 ± 2√(4593))/24
= (3 ± √(4593))/12
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The initial position of a particle is 44.5. If its velocity is described by v(t) = 3t + 12, what is its position at the time when the velocity is equal to 8391?
The initial position of a particle is 44.5. If its velocity is described by v(t) = 3t + 12, what is its position at the time when the velocity is equal to 8391?
The initial position of a particle is 44.5. If its velocity is described by v(t) = 3t + 12, what is its position (to the nearest hundreth) at the time when the velocity is equal to 8391?
To solve for t, set v(t) equal to 8391: 3t + 12 = 8391; 3t = 8379; t = 2793
Now, the position function is equal to ∫v(t)dt = ∫ 3t + 12 dt = (3/2)t2 + 12t + C
Now, since the initial position is 44.5, C is 44.5; therefore, s(t) = (3/2)t2 + 12t + 44.5
To solve for the position, solve s(2793) = (3/2)27932 + 12*2793 + 44.5 = 1.5 * 7800849 + 33516 + 44.5 = 11701273.5 + 33516 + 44.5
The initial position of a particle is 44.5. If its velocity is described by v(t) = 3t + 12, what is its position (to the nearest hundreth) at the time when the velocity is equal to 8391?
To solve for t, set v(t) equal to 8391: 3t + 12 = 8391; 3t = 8379; t = 2793
Now, the position function is equal to ∫v(t)dt = ∫ 3t + 12 dt = (3/2)t2 + 12t + C
Now, since the initial position is 44.5, C is 44.5; therefore, s(t) = (3/2)t2 + 12t + 44.5
To solve for the position, solve s(2793) = (3/2)27932 + 12*2793 + 44.5 = 1.5 * 7800849 + 33516 + 44.5 = 11701273.5 + 33516 + 44.5
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An eagle flies at a parabolic trajectory such that
, where
is in the height in meters and
is the time in seconds. At what time will its velocity
?
An eagle flies at a parabolic trajectory such that , where
is in the height in meters and
is the time in seconds. At what time will its velocity
?
Take the derivative of the position function to obtain the velocity function.

We want to know the time when the velocity is -8. Substitute v into the equation to find t.


Take the derivative of the position function to obtain the velocity function.
We want to know the time when the velocity is -8. Substitute v into the equation to find t.
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A ball is thrown in the air, modeled by the function
. At what time will the ball hit the ground?
A ball is thrown in the air, modeled by the function . At what time will the ball hit the ground?
To find the time when the ball hits the ground, set
and solve for
.



Separate each term and solve for t.




Since negative time does not exist, the only possible answer is
.
To find the time when the ball hits the ground, set and solve for
.
Separate each term and solve for t.
Since negative time does not exist, the only possible answer is .
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Suppose the acceleration function of a biker going uphill at the start of a race is
, where
is in seconds. When will it take the biker to reach constant velocity?
Suppose the acceleration function of a biker going uphill at the start of a race is , where
is in seconds. When will it take the biker to reach constant velocity?
Constant velocity means there is neither an increase or decrease in acceleration.

Substitute acceleration and solve for time.



Constant velocity means there is neither an increase or decrease in acceleration.
Substitute acceleration and solve for time.
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Assume the acceleration due to gravity is 
If you throw a ball straight up with an initial velocity of
how many seconds will it take before the ball returns to your hand?
Assume the acceleration due to gravity is
If you throw a ball straight up with an initial velocity of how many seconds will it take before the ball returns to your hand?
Write out the equation for the height of the ball
.
You can arrive at this by starting with the information that the acceleration on the ball is the constant acceleration due to gravity and integrating twice. Making sure to solve for your constants along the way.


Your initial velocity of
and your initial position of
will help write out this equation.

Then solve for the two values of
for which the ball is at height
. Those are
seconds and
seconds.

Write out the equation for the height of the ball
.
You can arrive at this by starting with the information that the acceleration on the ball is the constant acceleration due to gravity and integrating twice. Making sure to solve for your constants along the way.
Your initial velocity of and your initial position of
will help write out this equation.
Then solve for the two values of for which the ball is at height
. Those are
seconds and
seconds.
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A ball is thrown upwards at a speed of
from a
building. Assume gravity is
.
Which of the following is closest to the time after the initial throw before the ball hits the ground?
A ball is thrown upwards at a speed of from a
building. Assume gravity is
.
Which of the following is closest to the time after the initial throw before the ball hits the ground?
If we approximate gravity as
we can simplify
into
and use the quadratic formula to find the time at which the position of the ball is zero (the ball hits the ground).

If we approximate gravity as we can simplify
into
and use the quadratic formula to find the time at which the position of the ball is zero (the ball hits the ground).
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For this problem, the acceleration of gravity is simplified to
.
I fire a cannon straight into the air. Assuming that the cannonball leaves the cannon at a velocity of
, weighs
kgs, and is fired from the ground (i.e.
m), how long will it take before the cannonball reaches the ground again?
For this problem, the acceleration of gravity is simplified to .
I fire a cannon straight into the air. Assuming that the cannonball leaves the cannon at a velocity of , weighs
kgs, and is fired from the ground (i.e.
m), how long will it take before the cannonball reaches the ground again?
Initial velocity is given as 100 m/s and the acceleration due to gravity is
towards the Earth , or
.
We want to find how long it will take for the velocity of the cannonball to reach
, so we set
, where t is time and
.
So,
,
,
.
Therefore, it takes ten seconds for the ball to reach a velocity of 0, and given that acceleration is uniform (i.e. a constant), we know that it will take the same amount of time to come down as it took to go up, or ten seconds. Therefore, the total time the cannonball spends in the air is,
seconds.
Initial velocity is given as 100 m/s and the acceleration due to gravity is towards the Earth , or
.
We want to find how long it will take for the velocity of the cannonball to reach , so we set
, where t is time and
.
So, ,
,
.
Therefore, it takes ten seconds for the ball to reach a velocity of 0, and given that acceleration is uniform (i.e. a constant), we know that it will take the same amount of time to come down as it took to go up, or ten seconds. Therefore, the total time the cannonball spends in the air is,
seconds.
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Given the instantaneous velocity and the position function, find the time at which the moving object reaches that instantaneous velocity.

Given the instantaneous velocity and the position function, find the time at which the moving object reaches that instantaneous velocity.
We begin by finding the derivative of the position function using the power rule:


We then set the given instantaneous velocity equal to the velocity function and solve for t:

We begin by finding the derivative of the position function using the power rule:
We then set the given instantaneous velocity equal to the velocity function and solve for t:
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At what time will a particle whose position can be described by
have minimum acceleration?
At what time will a particle whose position can be described by have minimum acceleration?
We need to take the derivative of acceleration and set it equal to zero because we want to minimize acceleration. In total, this will be three derivatives
.
Using the power rule on each term which states to multiply the coefficient by the exponent then decrease the exponent by one we get the following derivatives.




This will give us
, which gives us
and
. Now let's use the second derivative test to see where our minimum is.
is our second derivative, which is positive at
and negative at
, so
is our minimum.
We need to take the derivative of acceleration and set it equal to zero because we want to minimize acceleration. In total, this will be three derivatives
.
Using the power rule on each term which states to multiply the coefficient by the exponent then decrease the exponent by one we get the following derivatives.
This will give us
, which gives us
and
. Now let's use the second derivative test to see where our minimum is.
is our second derivative, which is positive at
and negative at
, so
is our minimum.
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A perfectly spherical hot air balloon is being filled up. If the balloon is empty at the start and has a radius of 50 meters when fully inflated, how fast is the volume of the balloon increasing when its radius is 10 meters and increasing at a rate of
?
A perfectly spherical hot air balloon is being filled up. If the balloon is empty at the start and has a radius of 50 meters when fully inflated, how fast is the volume of the balloon increasing when its radius is 10 meters and increasing at a rate of ?
In order to solve this problem, we must first know that the volume of a sphere is equivalent to
.
In order to find the rate of which the volume of this spherical hot air balloon is increasing at, we must take the derivative of the volume equation with respect to time in order to find the change in volume with respect to time.
Using the power rule
,
we find that the dervative is
.
In the problem we are given the radius and rate of change of the radius, therefore by plugging those into the equation and solving for
, we can find the rate at which the volume of the balloon is changing at.
Plugging
and
, we find that the volume of the baloon is increasing at a rate of
.
In order to solve this problem, we must first know that the volume of a sphere is equivalent to .
In order to find the rate of which the volume of this spherical hot air balloon is increasing at, we must take the derivative of the volume equation with respect to time in order to find the change in volume with respect to time.
Using the power rule
,
we find that the dervative is
.
In the problem we are given the radius and rate of change of the radius, therefore by plugging those into the equation and solving for , we can find the rate at which the volume of the balloon is changing at.
Plugging and
, we find that the volume of the baloon is increasing at a rate of
.
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Car A starts driving north from point O with an acceleration of
. After 2 hours, Car B start driving north from point O with an acceleration of
. How long will it take for Car B to catch up with Car A?
Car A starts driving north from point O with an acceleration of . After 2 hours, Car B start driving north from point O with an acceleration of
. How long will it take for Car B to catch up with Car A?
We know that car A's acceleration formula is
and we know that car B's acceleration formula is
. To solve this equation we must realize that the integral of acceleration is velocity and the integral of velocity is position. Therefore by taking the double integral of both acceleration functions, we can determine the point at which car B will catch up to car A.
Using the general integral formula,

we find that the velocity functions for both cars are
and
. Because the initial velocity of both cars is 0,
.
Taking the integral of the velocity function using the generla integral formula once again, we find that the position functions of both cars is
and
. Since the initial position of both cars is equivalent, we can arbitrarily say that they start from a initial position 0, therefore making
. We know that car A had a head start of 2 hours on car B. Now all we have to do is set both equations equal to each other and solve for
.




We know that car A's acceleration formula is and we know that car B's acceleration formula is
. To solve this equation we must realize that the integral of acceleration is velocity and the integral of velocity is position. Therefore by taking the double integral of both acceleration functions, we can determine the point at which car B will catch up to car A.
Using the general integral formula,
we find that the velocity functions for both cars are and
. Because the initial velocity of both cars is 0,
.
Taking the integral of the velocity function using the generla integral formula once again, we find that the position functions of both cars is and
. Since the initial position of both cars is equivalent, we can arbitrarily say that they start from a initial position 0, therefore making
. We know that car A had a head start of 2 hours on car B. Now all we have to do is set both equations equal to each other and solve for
.
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The position of a particle as a function of time
is
.
At what time
is the particle at rest?
The position of a particle as a function of time is
.
At what time is the particle at rest?
The particle is at rest when its velocity, i.e. the derivative of its position, is equal to 0.
Thus, we have to solve the equation
.
Using the Power Rule,
.
Thus, either
or
, leading to the solutions
and
.
Note: The Power Rule says that for a function
,
.
The particle is at rest when its velocity, i.e. the derivative of its position, is equal to 0.
Thus, we have to solve the equation
.
Using the Power Rule,
.
Thus, either or
, leading to the solutions
and
.
Note: The Power Rule says that for a function
,
.
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