4. Applications of Derivatives

A right tringle has a base of $10\operatorname{\mathrm{cm}}$ and a height of $12\operatorname{\mathrm{cm}}$. The height of the right triangle is decreasing at a rate of $0.4\operatorname{\frac{\mathrm{cm}}{s}}$, at what rate is the area of the triangle decreasing?

The perimeter of a rectangle is fixed at . If the length $L$ is increasing at a rate of , for what value of $L$ does the area start to decrease? Hint: the rectangle's area starts to decrease when the rate of change for the area is less than 0.

A 15-foot plank leans against a vertical pole. The top of the plank begins to slide down the pole at a steady speed of 2 inches per second. How fast is the bottom of the plank moving away from the pole when it is 8 feet away from the base of the pole (in inches per second)?

Two cars leave the same intersection and drive in perpendicular directions. Car A travels east at a speed of $60\frac{mi}{hr}$, Car B travels north at a speed of $40\frac{mi}{hr}$. Car A leaves the intersection at $2pm$, while Car B leaves at $2:30pm$. Determine the rate at which the distance between the two cars is changing at $3pm$.

Given the equation below, find $dz/dt$ when $dx/dt=3$, $dy/dt=2$, $x=2$, $y=4,$ and $z=1$.

$x^2+y^2-3z^2=125$

Given the equation below, find $dy/dt$ when $dx/dt=12$ and $x=\frac{15}{2}$.

$y=\sqrt{2x+1}$

Demand and elasticity The economic advisor of a large tire store proposes the demand function D(p) = 1800/p-40, where D(p) is the number of tires of one brand and size that can be sold in one day at a price p.

c. Find the elasticity function on the domain of the demand function.

{Use of Tech} Flow from a tank A cylindrical tank is full at time t=0 when a valve in the bottom of the tank is opened. By Torricelli’s law, the volume of water in the tank after t hours is V=100(200−t)², measured in cubic meters.

c. Find the rate at which water flows from the tank and plot the flow rate function. 

{Use of Tech} A mixing tank A 500-liter (L) tank is filled with pure water. At time t=0, a salt solution begins flowing into the tank at a rate of 5 L/min. At the same time, the (fully mixed) solution flows out of the tank at a rate of 5.5 L/min. The mass of salt in grams in the tank at any time t≥0 is given by M(t) = 250(1000−t)(1−10−³⁰(1000−t)¹⁰) and the volume of solution in the tank is given by V(t) = 500-0.5t.

b. Graph the volume function and verify that the tank is empty when t=1000 min. 

{Use of Tech} Power and energy The total energy in megawatt-hr (MWh) used by a town is given by E(t) = 400t+2400/π sin πt/12, where t≥0 is measured in hours, with t=0 corresponding to noon.

b. At what time of day is the rate of energy consumption a maximum? What is the power at that time of day?

Based on sales data over the past year, the owner of a DVD store devises the demand function D(p) = 40 - 2p, where D(p) is the number of DVDs that can be sold in one day at a price of p dollars.

Find the elasticity function for this demand function.

Based on sales data over the past year, the owner of a DVD store devises the demand function D(p) = 40 - 2p, where D(p) is the number of DVDs that can be sold in one day at a price of p dollars.

For what prices is the demand elastic? Inelastic?

Interpreting the derivative Find the derivative of each function at the given point and interpret the physical meaning of this quantity. Include units in your answer.

Suppose the speed of a car approaching a stop sign is given by v (t) = (t-5)², for 0 ≤ t ≤ 5, where t is measured in seconds and v(t) is measured in meters per second. Find v′(3).

Interpreting the derivative Find the derivative of each function at the given point and interpret the physical meaning of this quantity. Include units in your answer.

When a faucet is turned on to fill a bathtub, the volume of water in gallons in the tub after t minutes is V(t)=3t. Find V′(12).

If two opposite sides of a rectangle increase in length, how must the other two opposite sides change if the area of the rectangle is to remain constant?