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Rate of Change of Quantities

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Estimated time: 10 minutes
CBSE: Class 12

Introduction

Rate of change tells how one quantity changes with respect to another quantity. In calculus, the derivative \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) represents the rate of change of \(y\) with respect to \(x\), and this idea is used in geometry, motion, business mathematics, and many real-life situations.

CBSE: Class 12

Definition: Rate of Change

If a quantity y varies with another quantity x based on a rule y = f(x), then the derivative \[\frac{dy}{dx}\] (or f'(x)) represents the rate of change of y with respect to x.

CBSE: Class 12

Definition: Specific Instant

Evaluating the derivative at a specific point, \[\left.\frac{dy}{dx}\right|_{x=x_0}\], gives the instantaneous rate of change at exactly \[x = x_0\].

CBSE: Class 12

Definition: The Chain Rule for Rates

If two variables x and y both vary with respect to a third variable t (like time), you can find the rate of change of y with respect to x using:

\[\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{\frac{dy}{dt}}{\frac{dx}{dt}}\]

(Note: This is only valid if \[\frac{dx}{dt} \neq 0\]).

CBSE: Class 12

Example 1

Find the rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius \[r\] when \[r = 5\] cm.

Solution: The area A of a circle with radius \[r\] is given by \[\text{A} = \pi r^2\]. Therefore, the rate of change of the area A with respect to its radius \[r\] is given by \[\frac{d\text{A}}{dr} = \frac{d}{dr}(\pi r^2) = 2\pi r\].

When \[r = 5\] cm, \[\frac{d\text{A}}{dr} = 10\pi\]. Thus, the area of the circle is changing at the rate of \[10\pi\] cm\[^2\]/s.

CBSE: Class 12

Example 2

The total cost \[\text{C}(x)\] in Rupees, associated with the production of \[x\] units of an item is given by

\[\text{C}(x) = 0.005 x^3 - 0.02 x^2 + 30x + 5000\]

Find the marginal cost when 3 units are produced, where by marginal cost we mean the instantaneous rate of change of total cost at any level of output.

Solution: Since marginal cost is the rate of change of total cost with respect to the output, we have

Marginal    cost (MC) \[= \frac{d\text{C}}{dx} = 0.005(3x^2) - 0.02(2x) + 30\]

When \[x = 3, \text{MC} = 0.015(3^2) - 0.04(3) + 30\]

\[= 0.135 - 0.12 + 30 = 30.015\]

Hence, the required marginal cost is ₹ 30.02 (nearly).

CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Rate of Change of Quantities

  • Derivative gives instantaneous rate of change.

  • Positive derivative means the quantity is increasing.

  • Negative derivative means the quantity is decreasing.

  • In related rates, first connect the variables by an equation, then differentiate.

  • Always substitute the given value only after differentiation.

  • Do not forget units in the final answer.

  • Marginal cost and marginal revenue are applications of derivatives in economics.

Video Tutorials

We have provided more than 1 series of video tutorials for some topics to help you get a better understanding of the topic.

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Rate of Change Part 1 [00:21:05]
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