Republic of the Philippines

ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY

Echague, Isabela

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CE 111 – CALCULUS 1

1. Chapter 5: APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

2. Overview/Introduction

- Applications of Maxima and Minima

- Use of an auxiliary variable
- Time-Rates

3. Learning Outcome/Objective

At the end of the discussion, the student should be able to:

1. Apply the concepts of maxima and minima in solving different kinds of problems;
and;
2. Analyze and solve problems on time rates.

4. Learning Content/Topic

I. APPLICATIONS OF MAXIMA AND MINIMA

It was shown in the previous chapter that at a point where its first derivative vanishes a
function assumes an extreme value, provided the derivative changes sign at that point.
This result finds application in a great variety of problems, some of which will now be
considered.
When the derivative is equated to zero, it may happen, of course, that several critical
values are obtained. In practice, the value that gives the desired maximum or minimum
can often be selected at once by inspection.

Example (). A box is to be made of a piece of cardboard

16 x 10 in by cutting equal squares out of the corners and
turning up the sides. Find the volume of the largest box
that can be made in this way. (Figure 1)

Let x be the length of the side of each of the squares cut

out. Then volume of the box is

𝑉 = 𝑥(10 − 2𝑥)(16 − 2𝑥), 0≤𝑥≤5

= 160𝑥 − 52𝑥 + 4𝑥
Whence
𝑉 = 160 − 104𝑥 + 12𝑥
= 4(𝑥 − 2)(3𝑥 − 20)

Setting 𝑉 = 0, we get the critical values 𝑥 = 2 , .By the

nature of the problem 𝑥 is restricted to values between 0

Figure 1

1 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 and 5, so that the value must be rejected. Since the volume is zero when 𝑥 = 0 and
again when 𝑥 = 5, it must reach a maximum at some intermediate point; it therefore
follows without the application of further tests that the critical value 𝑥 = 2 gives the
required maximum volume. (Figure 2)

𝑉 = 2(10 − 4)(16 − 4) = 𝟏𝟒𝟒 𝒄𝒖. 𝒊𝒏.

The minimum volume of course, is 𝑉 = 0,

occurring at the endpoints 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 5. The
reason why our analysis fails to show
theseminima is that 𝑉 is discontinuous at 𝑥 = 0,
5, and all our present theory rests on the
assumption that 𝑓(𝑥) and 𝑓’(𝑥) are continuous.

Example (). Find the area of the largest rectangle

that can be inscribed in a given circle.

The area of the rectangle is

(𝟏) 𝐴 = 4𝑥𝑦 Figure 2

Where x and y are connected by the relation

(𝟐) 𝑥 +𝑦 =𝑎

Substituting 𝑦 = √𝑎 − 𝑥 in (1), we find

(𝟑) 𝐴 = 4𝑥 𝑎 − 𝑥

So that
4𝑥 4𝑎 − 8𝑥
𝐴 =4 𝑎 −𝑥 − =
√𝑎 − 𝑥 √𝑎 − 𝑥

Setting A’=0, we get 4𝑎 − 8𝑥 , 𝑥 = √2 𝑎.

Substitute in (3): Figure 3

𝑨𝒎𝒂𝒙 = 𝟐𝒂𝟐

Example (). Find the altitude of the largest circular cylinder that can be inscribed in a
circular cone of radius 𝑟 and height ℎ.
The volume of the cylinder is
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑥 𝑦

Figure 4 shows a section by a plane through the axis. By similar triangles,

𝑥 ℎ−𝑦 𝑟
= , 𝑥= (ℎ − 𝑦),
𝑟 ℎ ℎ
So that

2 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 𝜋𝑟
𝑉= (ℎ − 𝑦) 𝑦,
ℎ
𝑑𝑉 𝜋𝑟
= [(ℎ − 𝑦) − 2(ℎ − 𝑦)𝑦]
𝑑𝑦 ℎ
𝜋𝑟
= (ℎ − 𝑦)(ℎ − 3𝑦)
ℎ

To make 𝑉 a maximum, set 𝑉’ = 0. Then 𝑦 = ℎ or 𝑦 =

ℎ. But 𝑦 = ℎ leads to 𝑉 = 0, surely not the largest 𝑉.
That 𝑦 = ℎ yields the maximum 𝑉 is intuitively
reasonable and can be checked by noting that

𝑑 𝑉 𝜋𝑟
= (−4ℎ + 6𝑦)
𝑑𝑦 ℎ
Figure 4

Is negative for 𝑦 = ℎ.

II. USE OF AN AUXILLARY VARIABLE

If the function under consideration is most readily expressed in terms of two variables, a
relation between these two variables must be found from the conditions of the problem.
By means of this relation, one of the variables can be eliminated, after which the
maximum or minimum can be found as in the previous article. However, it is often more
convenient not to perform the elimination but to proceed as in the following examples.

Example (). Find the shape of the largest rectangle that can be inscribed in a circle.
(Figure 3)

The area of the rectangle is

(𝟏) 𝐴 = 4𝑥𝑦

where x and y are connected by the relation

(𝟐) 𝑥 +𝑦 =𝑎

Differentiating the 𝐴 of (1) with respect to 𝑥 and equating the derivative to zero, we have

𝐴 = 4(𝑥𝑦 + 𝑦) = 0
Or
𝑦
𝑦 =−
𝑥

Differentiating each member of (2), we get, since 𝑎 is constant,

𝑥
2𝑥 + 2𝑦𝑦 = 0, 𝑦 =−
𝑦

Equating values of 𝑦’, we find

3 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 𝑦 𝑥
− =−
𝑥 𝑦
from which it follows that
e
(𝟑) 𝑦=𝑥

the maximum rectangle is a square.

If it is desired to find the actual maximum value of 𝐴, we solve the simultaneous equations
(2), (3), which yield
1
𝑥 = 𝑦 = √2 𝑎
2
𝐴 = 2𝑎

Example (). A man in a rowboat 6 mi. from shore desires to reach a point on the shore
at a distance of 10 mi. from his present position. If he can walk 4 mi. per hr. and row 2 mi
per hr., in what direction should he row in order to reach his destination in the shortest
possible time?

Solution: Let 𝑥 and 𝑦 be the distance defined by

Figure 5, with the man starting at M. since he
rows the distance y at 2 mi. per hr. and walks the
distance (8 − 𝑥) at 4 mi. per. hr., the time
required for him to reach his goal 𝐺 is

𝑦 8−𝑥
𝑇= +
2 4
with
𝑦 = 𝑥 + 36
Figure 5

To find the minimum time, we have

1 1 1
𝑇 = 𝑦 − =0, 𝑦 =
2 4 2
𝑥
2𝑦𝑦 = 2𝑥, 𝑦 =
𝑦
Equating the values of y’ and noting that
𝑥
= sin 𝜃
𝑦
We find 𝜃 = 30°.

III. TIME RATES

The fact that the derivative of a function is identical with its rate of change leads to a great
variety of applications; those in which time is the independent variable are especially
important.

Example (). A balloon, leaving the ground 60 ft. from an observer, rises vertically at the
rate of 10 ft. per sec. How fast is the balloon receding from the observer, after 8 seconds?

4 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 Solution: In time t, the balloon rises a distance 10𝑡, so that

𝑠 = 3600 + 100𝑡
𝑑𝑠 100𝑡
=
𝑑𝑡 √3600 + 100𝑡
When t=8,

𝑑𝑠 800
= = 𝟖 𝒇𝒕. 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄.
𝑑𝑡 √3600 + 6400

Note that the given value 𝑡 = 8 is employed only after the Figure 6
differentiation has been performed.

Example (). As a man walks across a bridge at the rate of 5 ft. per sec., a boat passes
directly beneath him at 10 ft. per second. If the bridge is 30 ft. above the water, how fast
are the man and the boat separating 3 seconds later?

Solution: In 𝑡 sec., the man covers a distance 5𝑡, the boat a distance 10𝑡. By elementary
geometry, the distance between them is

𝑠= 5𝑡 + (10𝑡) + (30)
= 125𝑡 + 900
𝑑𝑠 125𝑡
=
𝑑𝑡 √125𝑡 + 900
After 3 sec.,
𝑑𝑠 375 25
= = 𝒇𝒕. 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄.
𝑑𝑡 √2025 3

Frequently, the problem of rates is most conveniently

solved by expressing the variable whose rate of change is
to be found, in terms of another variable whose rate is
known, and then differentiating with respect to time the
equation connecting them. Figure 7

Example (). A man on a wharf 20 ft. above the water pulls in a rope, to which a boat is
attached, at the rate of 4 ft. per sec. At what rate is the boat approaching the wharf when
there is 25 ft. of rope out?

Solution: Let 𝑥 denote the distance of the boat from the wharf, 𝑟 the length of rope. Then,
given , we have to find . To do this, as suggested above, we express in terms of 𝑟
(implicitly of explicitly) and differentiate with respect to 𝑡:

𝑑𝑟
𝑑𝑥 𝑟
𝑥= 𝑟 − 400 , = 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑡 √𝑟 − 400
Substitute 𝑟 = 25, = − 4:
𝑑𝑥 100 𝟐𝟎
=− =− 𝒇𝒕. 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒆𝒄.
𝑑𝑡 √225 𝟑
Figure 8

5 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 Example (). Water is flowing into a conical reservoir 20 ft. deep and 10 ft. across the top,
at the rate of 15 cu. Ft. per min. Find how fast the surface is rising when the water is 8 ft.
deep

Solution: The volume of water is

1
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 ℎ
3
By similar triangles
𝑟 5 1
= , 𝑟= ℎ
ℎ 20 4
Hence
𝜋ℎ 𝑑𝑉 𝜋ℎ 𝑑ℎ
𝑉= , =
48 𝑑𝑡 16 𝑑𝑡

The rate of change of volume of water with respect to time

is
𝑑𝑉
= 15
𝑑𝑡
So that
𝜋ℎ 𝑑ℎ 𝑑ℎ 240
= 15 , = Figure 9
16 𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡 𝜋ℎ
When ℎ = 8,
𝑑ℎ 15
= = 𝟏. 𝟏𝟗 𝒇𝒕. 𝒑𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒊𝒏.
𝑑𝑡 4𝜋

5. Teaching and Learning Activities

EXERCISES
1. What number exceeds its square by the maximum amount?
2. What positive number added to its reciprocal gives the minimum sum?
3. The sum of two numbers is 𝑘. Find the minimum value of the sum or their squares.
4. The sum of two numbers is 𝑘. Find the minimum value of the sum of their cubes.
5. The sum of two positive numbers is 2. Find the smallest value possible for the sum
of the cube of one number and the square of the other.
6. Find two numbers whose sum is 𝑎, if the product of one by the square of the other is
to be a maximum.
7. Find two numbers whose sum is 𝑎, if the product of one by the cube of the other is to
be a maximum.
8. Find two numbers whose sum is 𝑎, if the product of the square of one by the cube of
the other is to be a maximum.
9. What should be the shape of a rectangular field of given area, if it is to be enclosed
by the least amount of fencing?
10. A rectangular lot is to be fenced off along a highway. If the fence on the highway
costs 𝑚 dollars per yd., on the other sides 𝑛 dollars per yd., find the area of the largest
lot that can be fenced off for 𝑘 dollars.
11. A rectangular field of given area is to be fence off along the bank of a river. If no fence
is needed along the river, what is the shape of the rectangle requiring the least
amount of fencing?
12. A rectangular field of fixed area is to be enclosed and divided into three lots by
parallels to one of the sides. What should be the relative dimensions of the field to
make the amount of fencing a minimum?

6 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 13. A rectangular field of fixed area is to be enclosed and divided into five lots by parallels
to one of the sides. What should be the relative dimensions of the field to make the
amount of fencing a minimum?
14. A box is to be made of a piece of cardboard 9 in. square by cutting equal squares out
of the corners and turning up the sides. Find the volume of the largest box that can
be made in this way.
15. Find the volume of the largest box that can be made by cutting equal squares out of
the corners of a piece of cardboard of dimensions 15 in. by 24 in. and then turning
up the sides.
16. The strength of a rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the square of
the depth. Find the shape of the strongest beam that can be cut from a log of given
size.
17. The stiffness of a rectangular beam is proportional to the breadth and the cube of the
depth. Find the shape of the stiffest beam that can be cut from a log of given size.
18. Find the rectangle of maximum perimeter inscribed in a given circle.
19. If the hypothenuse of a right triangle is given, show that the area is a maximum when
the triangle is isosceles.
20. Find the most economical proportions for a covered box of fixed volume whose base
is a rectangle with one side three times as long as the other.
21. Find the most economical proportions for a quart can.
22. Find the most economical proportions for a cylindrical cup.
23. Find the most economical proportions for a box with an open top and a square base.
24. The perimeter of an isosceles triangle is 𝑃 in. Find the maximum area.
25. The sum of the length and girth of a container of square cross-section is 𝑎 in. find the
maximum volume.
26. Find the proportions of the circular cylinder of largest volume that can be inscribed in
a given sphere.
27. Find the dimensions of the largest rectangular building that can be placed on a right-
triangular lot, facing one of the perpendicular sides.
28. A lot has the form of a right triangle, with sides 60 and 80 ft. long. Find the length and
width of the largest rectangular building that can be erected, facing the hypothenuse
of the triangle.
29. A cylindrical glass jar has a plastic top. If the plastic is half as expensive as glass, per
unit area, find the most economical proportions for the jar.
30. A trapezoidal gutter is to be made from a strip of tin by
bending up the edges. If the cross-section has the form
shown in Figure 10, what width across the top gives the
maximum carrying capacity?
31. Solve Problem 30, if the strip is 11 in. wide and the base Figure 10
7 in. wide.
32. In Exercise 30, if the strip is 𝐿 in. wide, and the width across the top is 𝑇 in. (𝑇 < 𝐿),
what base width gives the maximum capacity?
33. From a strip of tin 14 in. wide a trapezoidal gutter is to be made by bending up the
sides at an angle of 45°. Find the width of the base for greatest carrying capacity.
34. A ship lies 6 mi. from shore, and opposite a point 10 mi. farther along the shore
another ship lies 18 mi. offshore. A boat from the first ship is to land a passenger and
then proceed to the other ship. What is the least distance the boat can travel?

7 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 35. Two posts, one 8 ft. high and the other 12 ft.
high, stand 15 ft. apart. They are to be
stayed by wires attached to a single stake at
ground level, the wires running to the tops of
the posts. Where should the stake be
placed, to use the least amount of wire.
36. A ray of light travels, as in figure 11, from A
to B via the point P on the mirror CD. Prove
that the length (𝐴𝑃 + 𝑃𝐵) will be a minimum
if and only if 𝛼 = 𝛽. Figure 11

In the following exercises, find the shortest distance from the given point to the given
curve.
37. (5 , 0) ; 2𝑦 = 𝑥 40. (1 + 𝑛, 0), 𝑦 = 𝑥 , 𝑛 > 0
38. (0 , 8) ; 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑦 41. (0 , 5) ; 3𝑦 = 𝑥
39. (4 , 2); 𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 12
42. Cut the largest possible rectangle from a circular quadrant, as shown in Figure 12.
43. A cylindrical tin boiler, open at the top has a copper bottom. If a sheet or copper is m
times as expensive as tin, per unit are, find the most economical proportions.
44. Solve Exercise 43 if the boiler is to have a tin cover. Deduce
the answer directly from that of Exercise 43.
45. The base of a covered box is a square. The bottom and back
are made of pine, the remainder of oak. If oak is m times as
expensive as pine, find the most economical proportions.
46. A silo consists of a cylinder surmounted by a hemisphere. If
the floor, walls, and roof are equally expensive per unit area,
find the most economical proportions.\

TIME RATES
47. Water is flowing into a vertical cylindrical tank at the rate of Figure 12
24 cu. Ft. per min. If the radius of the tank is 4 ft., how fast is
the surface rising?
48. Water flows into a vertical cylindrical tank at 12 cu. Ft. per min.; the surface rises 6
in. per min. Find the radius of the tank.
49. A rectangular though is 10 ft. long and 3 ft. wide. Find how fast the surface rises, if
water flows in at the rate of 12 cu. Ft. per min.
50. A triangular trough 10 ft long is 4 ft across the top and 4 ft deep. If water flows in at
the rate of 3 cu. ft. per min., how fast the surface is rising when the water is 6 in.
deep.
51. A triangular trough is 10 ft. long, 6 ft. across the top, and 3 ft. deep. If water flows in
at the rate of 12 cu. ft. per min., find how fast the surface is rising when the water is
6 in. deep.
52. A ladder 20 ft. long leans against a vertical wall. If the top slides downward at the rate
of 2 ft. per sec., find how fast the lower end is moving when it is 16 ft. from the wall.
53. In exercise 52, find the rate of change of the slope of the ladder.
54. A man 6 ft. tall walks away from a lamp post 16 ft. high at the rate of 5 mi. per hr.
How fast does the end of his shadow move?
55. In exercise 54, how fast does the shadow lengthen?
56. A boy on a bike rides north 5 mi., then turns east. If he rides 10 mi. per hr., at what
rate was his distance to the starting point 𝑆 changing 2 hr. after he left that point.

8 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

 57. A train, starting at noon, travels north at 40 mi. per hr. Another train, starting from the
same point at 2 pm., travels east at 50 mi. per hr. Find, to the nearest mile per hour,
how fast the two trains are separating at 3 pm.
58. In Exercise 57, how fast are the trains separating after a long time?
59. A trapezoidal trough is 10 ft. long, 4 ft. white at the top, 2 ft wide at the bottom, and 2
ft. deep. If water flows in at 10 cu. ft. per min., find how fast the water surface is rising,
when the water is 6 in. deep.
60. For the trough in 59, find how fast the water surface is rising, when the water is one
foot deep.
61. A light at eye level stands 20 ft. from a house and 15 ft. from the path leading from
the house to the street. A nab walks along the path at 6 ft. per sec. How fast does his
shadow move along the wall when he is 5 ft. from the house?
62. In 61, when the man is 5 ft from the house, find the time-rate of change of that portion
of his shadow which lies on the ground.
63. A light is placed on the ground 30 ft. from a building. A man 6 ft. tall walks from the
light toward the building at the rate of 5 ft. per sec. Find the rate at which the length
of his shadow on the wall is changing when he is 15 ft. from the building.
64. Solve 63 if the light is 10 ft. above the ground.
65. One city, A, is 30 mi. north and 55 mi. east of another city, B. At noon, a car starts
west form A at 40 mi. per hr.; at 12:10 p.m., another car starts east
from B at 60 mi. per hr. Find, in two ways, when the cars will be
nearest together.
66. One city C is 30 mi. north and 35 mi. east of another city D. At noon,
a car starts north from C at 40 mi. per hr.; at 12:10 p.m., another
car starts east from D at 60 mi. per hour. Find when the cars will be
nearest together.
67. A kite is 40 ft. high with 50 ft. of cord out. If the kite moves
horizontally at 5 mi. per hr. directly away from the boy flying it, how
fast is the cord being paid out?
68. At noon a car drives from A (Figure 13) toward C at 60 mi. per hr.
Figure 13
Another car, starting from B at the same time, drives toward A at
30 mi. per hr. If AB = 42 mi., find when the cars will be nearest each
other.
69. Solve Exercise 68 if the car from B leaves at noon but the car from A leaves at 12:07
p.m.
70. Two railroad tracks intersect at right angles. At noon there is a train on each track
approaching the crossing at 40 mi. per hr., one being 100 mi., the other 200 mi.
distant. Find (a) when they will be nearest together, and (b) what will be their minimum
distance apart.
71. An elevated train on a trach 30 ft. above the ground crosses a street at the rate of 20
ft. per sec. at the instant that a car, approaching at the rate of 30 ft. per sec., is 40 ft.
up the street. Find how fast the train and the car are separating 1 sec later.
72. In exercise 71, find when the train and the car are nearest together.
73. From a car travelling east at 40 mi. per hr., an airplane travelling horizontally north at
100 mi. per hr. is visible 1 mi. east. 2 mi. south, and 2 mi. up. Find when the two will
be nearest together.
74. An arc light hangs at a height of 30 ft above the center of a street60 ft wide. A man 6
ft. tall walks along the sidewalk at the rate of 4 ft. per sec. How fast is his shadow
lengthening when he is 40 ft. up the street?
75. A ship sails east 20 mi. and then turns N 30° W. If the ship’s speed is 10 mi. per hr.,
find how fast it will be leaving the starting point 6 hr. after the start.

9 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives

6. Flexible Teaching Learning Modality (FTLM) adapted

Module, Messenger Rooms/ Google Classroom

Exercises and Problem Sets.

6. Assessment Task

Assessment Task will be a 30-point quiz covering the topics discussed in this module.
In addition, a long exam will be given at the end of the term

8. References (Copyrighted within the last 10 years)

This contains the list of references/readings which students can explore.

Love, C.E. Ph.D, Rainville E.D. Ph.D. 1981. Differential and Integral Calculus.
MACMILLAN PUBLISHING CO., INC.

Peterson, T.S. Calculus with Analytic Geometry. Ken Incorporated, Quezon City

10 |Calculus 1 – Module 5: Application of Derivatives