Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.

com

1.

The diagram above shows a cylindrical water tank. The diameter of a circular cross-section of
the tank is 6 m. Water is flowing into the tank at a constant rate of 0.48π m3 min–1. At time t
minutes, the depth of the water in the tank is h metres. There is a tap at a point T at the bottom
of the tank. When the tap is open, water leaves the tank at a rate of 0.6 π h m3 min–1.

(a) Show that t minutes after the tap has been opened

dh
75 = (4 − 5h )
dt
(5)

When t = 0, h = 0.2

(b) Find the value of t when h = 0.5

(6)
(Total 11 marks)

2. The area A of a circle is increasing at a constant rate of 1.5 cm2 s–1. Find, to 3 significant
figures, the rate at which the radius r of the circle is increasing when the area of the circle is 2
cm2.
(Total 5 marks)

Edexcel 1
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

3.

A container is made in the shape of a hollow inverted right circular cone. The height of the
container is 24 cm and the radius is 16 cm, as shown in the diagram above. Water is flowing
into the container. When the height of water is h cm, the surface of the water has radius r cm
and the volume of water is V cm3.

3
(a) Show that V = 4πh .
27
(2)

[The volume V of a right circular cone with vertical height h and base radius r is given by the
1
formula V = πr 2 h. ]
3

Water flows into the container at a rate of 8 cm3 s–1.

(b) Find, in terms of π, the rate of change of h when h = 12.

(5)
(Total 7 marks)

Edexcel 2
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

4.

x
5x

The diagram above shows a right circular cylindrical metal rod which is expanding as it is
heated. After t seconds the radius of the rod is x cm and the length of the rod is 5x cm. The
cross-sectional area of the rod is increasing at the constant rate of 0.032 cm2 s–1.

dx
(a) Find when the radius of the rod is 2 cm, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.
dt
(4)

(b) Find the rate of increase of the volume of the rod when x = 2.
(4)
(Total 8 marks)

5. The volume of a spherical balloon of radius r cm is V cm3, where V = 4

3
πr3.

dV
(a) Find
dr
(1)

The volume of the balloon increases with time t seconds according to the formula

dV 1000
= , t ≥ 0.
dt (2t + 1) 2

dr
(b) Using the chain rule, or otherwise, find an expression in terms of r and t for .
dt
(2)

Edexcel 3
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

dV 1000
(c) Given that V = 0 when t = 0, solve the differential equation = , to obtain V
dt (2t + 1) 2
in terms of t.
(4)

(d) Hence, at time t = 5,

(i) find the radius of the balloon, giving your answer to 3 significant figures,
(3)

(ii) show that the rate of increase of the radius of the balloon is approximately
2.90 × 10–2 cm s–1.
(2)
(Total 12 marks)

6. The value £V of a car t years after the 1st January 2001 is given by the formula

V = 10 000 × (1.5)–t.

(a) Find the value of the car on 1st January 2005.

(2)

dV
(b) Find the value of when t = 4.
dt
(3)

(c) Explain what the answer to part (b) represents.

(1)
(Total 6 marks)

Edexcel 4
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

7. A drop of oil is modelled as a circle of radius r. At time t

r = 4(1 – e–λt), t > 0,

where λ is a positive constant.

(a) Show that the area A of the circle satisfies

dA
= 32π λ (e–λt – e–2λt).
dt
(5)

In an alternative model of the drop of oil its area A at time t satisfies

3
dA A 2
= , t > 0.
dt t 2

Given that the area of the drop is 1 at t = 1,

(b) find an expression for A in terms of t for this alternative model.

(7)

(c) Show that, in the alternative model, the value of A cannot exceed 4.
(1)
(Total 13 marks)

Edexcel 5
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

dV
1. (a) = 0.48π − 0.6π h A1
dt
dV dh
V= 9π h ⇒ = 9π B1
dt dt
dh
π
9= 0.48π − 0.6π h
dt
dh
Leading to 75 = 4 − 5h  cso A1 5
dt

∫
75
(b) dh = ∫ 1dt separating variables
4 − 5h
−15ln ( 4 − 5h ) =t ( +C ) A1

−15ln ( 4 − 5h ) =
t +C
When t = 0 , h = 0.2
C
−15ln 3 =
t =15ln 3 − 15ln ( 4 − 5h )
When h = 0.5

 3 
t=15ln 3 − 15ln1.5 =15ln  =15ln 2 awrt 10.4 A1
 1.5 

Alternative for last 3 marks

t = [– 15 ln (4 – 5h)]0.2
0.5

= –15ln 1.5 + 15ln 3

 3 
= 15ln   = 151n 2 awrt 10.4 A1 6
 1.5 
[11]

Edexcel 6
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

dA
2. = 1.5 B1
dt
dA
A =π r2 ⇒ = 2π r B1
dr
When A = 2

2 =π r2 ⇒ r =
2
(= 0.797884...)
π
dA dA dr
= ×
dt dr dt
dr
1.5 = 2π r
dt
dr 1.5
= ≈ 0.299 awrt 0.299 A1
dt 2π 2
π
[5]

r 16 2h
3. (a) Similar triangles ⇒ = ⇒ r = Uses similar triangles,
h 24 3
ratios or trigonometry to find either one of these
two expressions oe.

4πh 3
2
1 1  2h 
V = πr 2 h = π   h = AG Substitutes
3 3  3  27
r = 2h3 into the formula for the A1 2
volume of water V.

Edexcel 7
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

dV dV
(b) From the question, =8 =8 B1
dt dt
dV 12πh 2 4πh 2 dV 12πh 2 4πh 2
= = = = B1
dh 27 9 dh 27 9

dh dV dV 9 18 dV dV
= ÷ = 8× = 2 Candidate’s ÷ ;
dt dt dh 4πh 2
πh dt dh
 12πh 2  9 18
8 ÷   or 8 ×
 or oe A1
 27  4πh 2
πh 2

dh 18 1 18 1
When h = 12, = = or A1 oe isw 5
dt 144π 8π 144π 8π
Note the answer must be a one term exact value.
Note, also you can ignore subsequent working
18
after
144π
[7]

dA
4. (a) From question, = 0.032
dt
 dA 
 A = πx ⇒ = 2πx
2

 dx 
dx dA dA 1  0.016 
= ÷ = (0.032) ; = 
dt dt dx 2πx  πx 
dx 0.016
When x = 2 cm, =
dt 2π
dx
Hence, = 0.002546479... (cm s–1)
dt

dA
= 0.032 seen or implied from working. B1
dt
2πx by itself seen or implied from working B1
dA
0.032 ÷ Candidate’s ;
dx
awrt 0.00255 A1 cso 4

Edexcel 8
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(b) V = πx2(5x) = 5πx3

dV
= 15πx2
dx
dV dV dx  0.016 
= × = 15πx 2 . ; {= 0.24 x}
dx dx dt  πx 
dV
When x = 2 cm, = 0.24(2) = 0.48 (cm3 s–1)
dt

V = πx2(5x) = 5πx3 B1
dV
= 15πx2 or ft from candidate’s V in one variable B1ft
dx
dV dx
Candidate’s × ; M1ft
dx dt
0.48 or awrt 0.48 A1 cso 4
[8]

5. (a) dV = 4πr 2 B1 1
dr

(b) Uses dr = dV . dr in any form, = 1000 A1 2

dt dt dV 4πr (2t + 1) 2
2

V= ∫ 1000 (2t + l) dt and integrate to p(2t + 1)–1,

–2
(c)
= – 500(2t + 1)–1 (+c) A1
Using V = 0 when t = 0 to find c , (c = 500, or equivalent)

∴V = 500(1 – 1 ) (any form) A1 4

2t + 1

(d) (i) Substitute t = 5 to give V,

then use r= 3  3V  to give r , = 4.77 A1 3

 4π 

Edexcel 9
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

(ii) Substitutes t = 5 and r = ‘their value’ into ‘their’ part (b)

dr = 0.0289 (≈ 2.90 × 10–2) (cm/s) AG A1 2
dt
[12]

6. (a) Substitutes t = 4 to give V, = 1975.31 or 1975.30

or 1975 or 1980 (3 s.f) A1 2
dV
(b) = –ln1.5 × V; = –800.92 or –800.9 or –801 A1; A1 3
dt
needs ln 1.5 term
(c) rate of decrease in value on 1st January 2005 B1 1
[6]

dr
7. (a) A = πr2, = 4λe–λt B1, B1
dt
dA dr dA
= 2πr , ⇒ = 2π × 4(1 – e–λt) × 4λe–λt
dt dt dt
dA
= 32πλ( e–λt – e–2λt) A1cso 5
dt

∫A ∫t
− 32 −2
(b) dA = dt

Separation
− 12
A t −1
= (+ c) A1
− 12 −1
–2 = –1 + c Use of (1, 1)
c = –1 A1
1 − 12 2t
So 2A +1⇒ A =
= Attempt A = or A =
t 1+ t
4t 2
i.e. A = (or equivalent) A1 7
(1 + t ) 2

t2
(c) Because < 1 or t2 < (1 + t)2 (⇒ A < 4) B1 1
(1 + t ) 2

[13]

Edexcel 10
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

1. Many found part (a) difficult and it was quite common to see candidates leave a blank space
here and proceed to solve part (b), often correctly. A satisfactory proof requires summarising the
dV
information given in the question in an equation, such as = 0.48π – 0.6πh, but many could
dT
dh
not do this or began with the incorrect = 0.48π – 0.6πh. Some also found difficulty in
dt
obtaining a correct expression for the volume of water in the tank and there was some confusion
as to which was the variable in expressions for the volume. Sometimes expressions of the form
V = π r 2 h were differentiated with respect to r, which in this question is a constant. If they
started appropriately, nearly all candidates could use the chain rule correctly to complete the
proof.
Part (b) was often well done and many fully correct solutions were seen. As noted in the
introduction above, some poor algebra was seen in rearranging the equation but, if that was
done correctly, candidates were nearly always able to demonstrate a complete method of
solution although, as expected, slips were made in the sign and the constants when integrating.
Very few candidates completed the question using definite integration. Most used a constant of
integration (arbitrary constant) and showed that they knew how to evaluate it and use it to
complete the question.

2. Connected rates of change is a topic which many find difficult. The examiners reported that the
responses to this question were of a somewhat higher standard than had been seen in some
recent examinations and the majority of candidates attempted to apply the chain rule to the data
dr
of the question. Among those who obtained a correct relation, 1.5 = 2πr or an equivalent, a
dt
2
common error was to use r = 2 , instead of using the given A = 2 to obtain r = .
π
Unexpectedly the use of the incorrect formula for the area of the circle, A = 2πr2 , was a
relatively common error.

Edexcel 11
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

3. A considerable number of candidates did not attempt part (a), but of those who did, the most
common method was to use similar triangles to obtain r = 2h3 and substitute r into V = 13 π r 2 h
to give V = 4
27
π h 3 Some candidates used trigonometry to find the semi-vertical angle of the
cone and obtained r = 2h
3
from this. A few candidates correctly used similar shapes to compare
3
V  h 
volumes by writing down the equation =  .
1
3
π (16) 24  24 
2

Part (b) discriminated well between many candidates who were able to gain full marks with ease
and some candidates who were able to gain just the first one or two marks. Some incorrectly
dV 1
differentiated V = 13 π r 2 h to give = π r 2 . Most of the successful candidates used the
dh 3
dh dV dV 1
chain rule to find by applying ÷ . The final answer was sometimes carelessly
dt dt dh 8π
1 dV
written as π . Occasionally, some candidates solved the differential equation = 8 and
8 dt
4π h 3 dt dh
equated their solution to and then found or differentiated implicitly to find .
27 dh dt

4. At the outset, a significant minority of candidates struggled to extract some or all of the
information from the question. These candidates were unable to write down the rate at which
dA
this cross-sectional area was increasing, = 0.032; or the cross-sectional area of the cylinder
dt
dA
A = πx2 and its derivative = 2πx; or the volume of the cylinder V = 5πx3 and its derivative
dt
dV
= 15πx2.
dx

In part (a), some candidates wrote down the volume V of the cylinder as their cross-sectional
area A. Another popular error at this stage was for candidates to find the curved surface area or
the total surface area of a cylinder and write down either A = 10πx2 or A = 12πx2 respectively.
dx
At this stage many of these candidates were able to set up a correct equation to find and
dt
dA
usually divided 0.032 by their and substituted x = 2 into their expression to gain 2 out of
dx
the 4 mark available. Another error frequently seen in part (a) was for candidates to incorrectly
0.032
calculate as 0.0251. Finally, rounding the answer to 3 significant figures proved to be a
4π
problem for a surprising number of candidates, with a value of 0.003 being seen quite often;
resulting in loss of the final accuracy mark in part (a) and this sometimes as a consequence led
to an inaccurate final answer in part (b).

Part (b) was tackled more successfully by candidates than part (a) – maybe because the chain

Edexcel 12
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

dV dV dx
rule equation = + is rather more straight-forward to use than the one in part (a).
dt dx dt
Some candidates struggled by introducing an extra variable r in addition to x and obtained a
volume expression such as V = πr2(5x). Many of these candidates did not realise that r ≡ x and
were then unable to correctly differentiate their expression for V. Other candidates incorrectly
wrote down the volume as V = 2πx2(5x). Another common error was for candidates to state a
dV
correct V, correctly find , then substitute x = 2 to arrive at a final answer of approximately
dx
188.5.
About 10% of candidates were able to produce a fully correct solution to this question.

5. The fact that this question had so many parts, with a good degree of independence, did enable
the majority of candidates to do quite well. All but the weakest candidates scored the first mark
and the first 3 were gained by most. The integration in part (c ) did cause problems: examples of
the more usual mistakes were to write
1 1 1 2 k
∫ (2t + 1) 2
dt = −or or
2t + 1 2t + 1 2t + 1
or
(2t + 1) 3
, or to omit the constant of integration or

assume it equal to zero; two of the mistakes which came more into the “howler” category were
1
∫ 1000
dV = ln 1000V or V ln 1000 and

1 1 1 1 1
∫ (2t + 1) 2
dt = ∫ 4t 2
+ 4t + 1 ∫
dt =
4t 2
+ + dt = ........ .
4t 1
Many candidates were able to gain the method marks in parts (d) and (e).

6. (a) Most understood the context of this problem and realised that they needed to use t = 4,
although t = 0, 1 or 5 were often seen.

(b) Very few had any idea at all about how to differentiate V (many gave their answer as
–t(1.5)-t-1, or had a term (1.5)-2t).

(c) The comments made in answer to the request to interpret their answer to part (b) were
usually too generalised and vague. The examiners required a statement that the value of
dV
which had been found represented the rate of change of value on 1st January 2005
dt

7. There were two common approaches used in part (a); substituting for r to obtain a formula for A
in terms of t or using the chain rule. The inevitable errors involving signs and λ were seen
with both methods and the examiners were disappointed that some candidates did not seem to
know the formula for the area of a circle: 2π r , 12 π r 2 and 4π r 2 were common mistakes. Part
(b) proved more testing. Most could separate the variables but the integration of negative
powers caused problems for some who tried to use the ln function. Many did solve the

Edexcel 13
 Differentiation - Rates of change PhysicsAndMathsTutor.com

differential equation successfully though sometimes they ran into difficulties by trying to make
A the subject before finding the value of their arbitrary constant. The final two marks were only
2 1
scored by the algebraically dexterous. There was some poor work here and seeing = +1
A t
4 1 A
followed by = + 1 or = t + 1 was not uncommon. The final part eluded most.
A t2 2
Those who had a correct answer to part (b) sometimes looked at the effect on A of t → ∞ but
only a small minority argued that since t >0 then t 2 < (1 + t ) 2 , and therefore A <4.

Edexcel 14