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Mathematical Methods · Unit 2 · Applications of differential calculus · Graphical applications of derivatives

Determine instantaneous rates of change.

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Question 1

A water tank is being drained for maintenance. The volume \( V \) of water remaining in the tank, in litres, is recorded at various times \( t \) minutes after draining begins. The data is shown in the table below. Determine the instantaneous rate of change of the volume at \( t = 15 \) minutes. Express your answer in litres per minute, correct to two decimal places.

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Question 2

A particle's displacement from the origin (in metres) is modelled by $s(t) = 6\ln(2t + 1)$ for $t \geq 0$, where $t$ is time in seconds. Determine the instantaneous rate of change of displacement (in m/s) when $t = 3$ seconds.

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Question 3

The table below shows the volume \(V\) (in cubic metres) of water in a storage tank at time \(t\) hours after midday. The volume is modelled by the function \(V(t) = 120 + 30t - 2t^2\) for \(0 \leq t \leq 10\). Determine the instantaneous rate at which the volume is changing at \(t = 6\) hours. Give your answer in cubic metres per hour.

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Question 4

A cylindrical storage tank drains such that the volume of water (in litres) remaining after $t$ minutes is modelled by $V(t) = 1{,}200 e^{-0.05t}$, where $t \geq 0$. Determine the instantaneous rate of change of volume at $t = 10$ minutes.

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