Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Related Rates
Problem 7b
Textbook Question
The volume V of a sphere of radius r changes over time t.
b. At what rate is the volume changing if the radius increases at 2 in/min when when the radius is 4 inches?

1
Start by recalling the formula for the volume of a sphere: V = (4/3)πr^3. This formula gives the volume in terms of the radius r.
To find the rate at which the volume changes with respect to time, we need to differentiate the volume formula with respect to time t. This involves using the chain rule since the radius r is a function of time t.
Apply the chain rule: dV/dt = dV/dr * dr/dt. Here, dV/dr is the derivative of the volume with respect to the radius, and dr/dt is the rate at which the radius changes with respect to time.
Calculate dV/dr by differentiating V = (4/3)πr^3 with respect to r. This gives dV/dr = 4πr^2.
Substitute the given values into the differentiated formula: dr/dt = 2 in/min and r = 4 inches. Plug these into dV/dt = 4πr^2 * dr/dt to find the rate at which the volume is changing.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Related Rates
Related rates involve finding the rate at which one quantity changes in relation to another. In this problem, we need to determine how the volume of the sphere changes as the radius changes over time. This requires applying the chain rule of differentiation to relate the rates of change of the radius and the volume.
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Volume of a Sphere
The volume V of a sphere is given by the formula V = (4/3)πr³, where r is the radius. Understanding this formula is crucial because it allows us to express the volume in terms of the radius, which is necessary for calculating how the volume changes as the radius changes.
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Chain Rule
The chain rule is a fundamental principle in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. In this context, we will use the chain rule to differentiate the volume formula with respect to time, allowing us to relate the rate of change of volume to the rate of change of the radius.
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