1.07b Gradient as rate of change: dy/dx notation

89 questions

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AQA C1 Q7
14 marks Moderate -0.8
7 The volume, \(V \mathrm {~m} ^ { 3 }\), of water in a tank at time \(t\) seconds is given by $$V = \frac { 1 } { 3 } t ^ { 6 } - 2 t ^ { 4 } + 3 t ^ { 2 } , \quad \text { for } t \geqslant 0$$
  1. Find:
    1. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } V } { \mathrm {~d} t }\);
      (3 marks)
    2. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } V } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } }\).
      (2 marks)
  2. Find the rate of change of the volume of water in the tank, in \(\mathrm { m } ^ { 3 } \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), when \(t = 2\).
    1. Verify that \(V\) has a stationary value when \(t = 1\).
    2. Determine whether this is a maximum or minimum value.
AQA C1 2006 January Q7
11 marks Easy -1.2
7 The volume, \(V \mathrm {~m} ^ { 3 }\), of water in a tank at time \(t\) seconds is given by $$V = \frac { 1 } { 3 } t ^ { 6 } - 2 t ^ { 4 } + 3 t ^ { 2 } , \quad \text { for } t \geqslant 0$$
  1. Find:
    1. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } V } { \mathrm {~d} t }\);
      (3 marks)
    2. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } V } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } }\).
      (2 marks)
  2. Find the rate of change of the volume of water in the tank, in \(\mathrm { m } ^ { 3 } \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), when \(t = 2\).
    (2 marks)
    1. Verify that \(V\) has a stationary value when \(t = 1\).
      (2 marks)
    2. Determine whether this is a maximum or minimum value.
      (2 marks)
AQA C1 2009 January Q5
13 marks Moderate -0.8
5 A model car moves so that its distance, \(x\) centimetres, from a fixed point \(O\) after time \(t\) seconds is given by $$x = \frac { 1 } { 2 } t ^ { 4 } - 20 t ^ { 2 } + 66 t , \quad 0 \leqslant t \leqslant 4$$
  1. Find:
    1. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } x } { \mathrm {~d} t }\);
    2. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } x } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } }\).
  2. Verify that \(x\) has a stationary value when \(t = 3\), and determine whether this stationary value is a maximum value or a minimum value.
  3. Find the rate of change of \(x\) with respect to \(t\) when \(t = 1\).
  4. Determine whether the distance of the car from \(O\) is increasing or decreasing at the instant when \(t = 2\).
AQA C1 2010 January Q3
12 marks Moderate -0.8
3 The depth of water, \(y\) metres, in a tank after time \(t\) hours is given by $$y = \frac { 1 } { 8 } t ^ { 4 } - 2 t ^ { 2 } + 4 t , \quad 0 \leqslant t \leqslant 4$$
  1. Find:
    1. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} t }\);
    2. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } }\).
  2. Verify that \(y\) has a stationary value when \(t = 2\) and determine whether it is a maximum value or a minimum value.
    1. Find the rate of change of the depth of water, in metres per hour, when \(t = 1\).
    2. Hence determine, with a reason, whether the depth of water is increasing or decreasing when \(t = 1\).
AQA C1 2010 January Q6
15 marks Moderate -0.8
6 The curve with equation \(y = 12 x ^ { 2 } - 19 x - 2 x ^ { 3 }\) is sketched below. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{2f7a8e95-4994-4732-a9a4-306c7b6cad92-3_444_819_1434_609} The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at the origin \(O\), and the point \(A ( 2 , - 6 )\) lies on the curve.
    1. Find the gradient of the curve with equation \(y = 12 x ^ { 2 } - 19 x - 2 x ^ { 3 }\) at the point \(A\).
    2. Hence find the equation of the normal to the curve at the point \(A\), giving your answer in the form \(x + p y + q = 0\), where \(p\) and \(q\) are integers.
    1. Find the value of \(\int _ { 0 } ^ { 2 } \left( 12 x ^ { 2 } - 19 x - 2 x ^ { 3 } \right) \mathrm { d } x\).
    2. Hence determine the area of the shaded region bounded by the curve and the line \(O A\).
AQA C1 2011 January Q1
10 marks Moderate -0.8
1 The curve with equation \(y = 13 + 18 x + 3 x ^ { 2 } - 4 x ^ { 3 }\) passes through the point \(P\) where \(x = - 1\).
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\).
  2. Show that the point \(P\) is a stationary point of the curve and find the other value of \(x\) where the curve has a stationary point.
    1. Find the value of \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) at the point \(P\).
    2. Hence, or otherwise, determine whether \(P\) is a maximum point or a minimum point.
      (l mark)
AQA C1 2011 January Q4
12 marks Moderate -0.8
4 The curve sketched below passes through the point \(A ( - 2,0 )\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{889639d6-0a31-4569-8370-1e72291a0c47-3_538_734_365_662} The curve has equation \(y = 14 - x - x ^ { 4 }\) and the point \(P ( 1,12 )\) lies on the curve.
    1. Find the gradient of the curve at the point \(P\).
    2. Hence find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point \(P\), giving your answer in the form \(y = m x + c\).
    1. Find \(\int _ { - 2 } ^ { 1 } \left( 14 - x - x ^ { 4 } \right) \mathrm { d } x\).
    2. Hence find the area of the shaded region bounded by the curve \(y = 14 - x - x ^ { 4 }\) and the line \(A P\).
      (2 marks)
AQA C1 2012 January Q4
16 marks Moderate -0.8
4 The curve with equation \(y = x ^ { 5 } - 3 x ^ { 2 } + x + 5\) is sketched below. The point \(O\) is at the origin and the curve passes through the points \(A ( - 1,0 )\) and \(B ( 1,4 )\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{91170a77-e266-4c81-89ee-1fc29a538485-3_447_752_438_653}
  1. Given that \(y = x ^ { 5 } - 3 x ^ { 2 } + x + 5\), find:
    1. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\);
    2. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\).
  2. Find an equation of the tangent to the curve at the point \(A ( - 1,0 )\).
  3. Verify that the point \(B\), where \(x = 1\), is a minimum point of the curve.
  4. The curve with equation \(y = x ^ { 5 } - 3 x ^ { 2 } + x + 5\) is sketched below. The point \(O\) is at the origin and the curve passes through the points \(A ( - 1,0 )\) and \(B ( 1,4 )\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{91170a77-e266-4c81-89ee-1fc29a538485-3_451_757_1736_648}
    1. Find \(\int _ { - 1 } ^ { 1 } \left( x ^ { 5 } - 3 x ^ { 2 } + x + 5 \right) \mathrm { d } x\).
    2. Hence find the area of the shaded region bounded by the curve between \(A\) and \(B\) and the line segments \(A O\) and \(O B\).
AQA C1 2013 January Q2
8 marks Moderate -0.8
2 A bird flies from a tree. At time \(t\) seconds, the bird's height, \(y\) metres, above the horizontal ground is given by $$y = \frac { 1 } { 8 } t ^ { 4 } - t ^ { 2 } + 5 , \quad 0 \leqslant t \leqslant 4$$
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} t }\).
    1. Find the rate of change of height of the bird in metres per second when \(t = 1\).
    2. Determine, with a reason, whether the bird's height above the horizontal ground is increasing or decreasing when \(t = 1\).
    1. Find the value of \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } }\) when \(t = 2\).
    2. Given that \(y\) has a stationary value when \(t = 2\), state whether this is a maximum value or a minimum value.
AQA C1 2011 June Q3
11 marks Moderate -0.8
3 The volume, \(V \mathrm {~m} ^ { 3 }\), of water in a tank after time \(t\) seconds is given by $$V = \frac { t ^ { 3 } } { 4 } - 3 t + 5$$
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } V } { \mathrm {~d} t }\).
    1. Find the rate of change of volume, in \(\mathrm { m } ^ { 3 } \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), when \(t = 1\).
    2. Hence determine, with a reason, whether the volume is increasing or decreasing when \(t = 1\).
    1. Find the positive value of \(t\) for which \(V\) has a stationary value.
    2. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } V } { \mathrm {~d} t ^ { 2 } }\), and hence determine whether this stationary value is a maximum value or a minimum value.
      (3 marks)
AQA C1 2012 June Q7
15 marks Moderate -0.8
7 The gradient, \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\), of a curve \(C\) at the point \(( x , y )\) is given by $$\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 20 x - 6 x ^ { 2 } - 16$$
    1. Show that \(y\) is increasing when \(3 x ^ { 2 } - 10 x + 8 < 0\).
    2. Solve the inequality \(3 x ^ { 2 } - 10 x + 8 < 0\).
  1. The curve \(C\) passes through the point \(P ( 2,3 )\).
    1. Verify that the tangent to the curve at \(P\) is parallel to the \(x\)-axis.
    2. The point \(Q ( 3 , - 1 )\) also lies on the curve. The normal to the curve at \(Q\) and the tangent to the curve at \(P\) intersect at the point \(R\). Find the coordinates of \(R\).
      (7 marks)
Edexcel C1 Q9
13 marks Standard +0.3
9. The curve \(C\) has the equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) where $$f ^ { \prime } ( x ) = 1 + \frac { 2 } { \sqrt { x } } , \quad x > 0$$ The straight line \(l\) has the equation \(y = 2 x - 1\) and is a tangent to \(C\) at the point \(P\).
  1. State the gradient of \(C\) at \(P\).
  2. Find the \(x\)-coordinate of \(P\).
  3. Find an equation for \(C\).
  4. Show that \(C\) crosses the \(x\)-axis at the point \(( 1,0 )\) and at no other point.
OCR MEI M1 Q4
16 marks Moderate -0.3
4 A point P on a piece of machinery is moving in a vertical straight line. The displacement of P above ground level at time \(t\) seconds is \(y\) metres. The displacement-time graph for the motion during the time interval \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 4\) is shown in Fig. 7 . \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{34e4ce80-21b0-48f5-865c-de4dd837f7c5-3_1027_1333_372_435} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 7}
\end{figure}
  1. Using the graph, determine for the time interval \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 4\) (A) the greatest displacement of P above its position when \(t = 0\),
    (B) the greatest distance of P from its position when \(t = 0\),
    (C) the time interval in which P is moving downwards,
    (D) the times when P is instantaneously at rest. The displacement of P in the time interval \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 3\) is given by \(y = - 4 t ^ { 2 } + 8 t + 12\).
  2. Use calculus to find expressions in terms of \(t\) for the velocity and for the acceleration of P in the interval \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 3\).
  3. At what times does P have a speed of \(4 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) in the interval \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 3\) ? In the time interval \(3 \leqslant t \leqslant 4 , \mathrm { P }\) has a constant acceleration of \(32 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 2 }\). There is no sudden change in velocity when \(t = 3\).
  4. Find an expression in terms of \(t\) for the displacement of P in the interval \(3 \leqslant t \leqslant 4\).
OCR MEI M1 Q5
8 marks Moderate -0.8
5 Fig. 3 is a sketch of the velocity-time graph modelling the velocity of a sprinter at the start of a race. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{34e4ce80-21b0-48f5-865c-de4dd837f7c5-4_581_1085_453_567} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 3}
\end{figure}
  1. How can you tell from the sketch that the acceleration is not modelled as being constant for \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 4\) ? The velocity of the sprinter, \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\), for the time interval \(0 \leqslant t \leqslant 4\) is modelled by the expression $$v = 3 t - \frac { 3 } { 8 } t ^ { 2 } .$$
  2. Find the acceleration that the model predicts for \(t = 4\) and comment on what this suggests about the running of the sprinter.
  3. Calculate the distance run by the sprinter from \(t = 1\) to \(t = 4\).
OCR MEI M1 Q6
17 marks Moderate -0.3
6 Fig. 7 is a sketch of part of the velocity-time graph for the motion of an insect walking in a straight line. Its velocity, \(v \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} { } ^ { 1 }\), at time \(t\) seconds for the time interval \(- 3 \leqslant t \leqslant 5\) is given by $$v = t ^ { 2 } - 2 t - 8 .$$ \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{34e4ce80-21b0-48f5-865c-de4dd837f7c5-5_624_886_549_631} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 7}
\end{figure}
  1. Write down the velocity of the insect when \(t = 0\).
  2. Show that the insect is instantaneously at rest when \(t = - 2\) and when \(t = 4\).
  3. Determine the velocity of the insect when its acceleration is zero. Write down the coordinates of the point A shown in Fig. 7.
  4. Calculate the distance travelled by the insect from \(t = 1\) to \(t = 4\).
  5. Write down the distance travelled by the insect in the time interval \(- 2 \leqslant t \leqslant 4\).
  6. How far does the insect walk in the time interval \(1 \leqslant t \leqslant 5\) ?
OCR MEI M4 2012 June Q2
13 marks Challenging +1.2
2 A light elastic string AB has stiffness \(k\). The end A is attached to a fixed point and a particle of mass \(m\) is attached at the end B . With the string vertical, the particle is released from rest from a point at a distance \(a\) below its equilibrium position. At time \(t\), the displacement of the particle below the equilibrium position is \(x\) and the velocity of the particle is \(v\).
  1. Show that $$m v \frac { \mathrm {~d} v } { \mathrm {~d} x } = - k x$$
  2. Show that, while the particle is moving upwards and the string is taut, $$v = - \sqrt { \frac { k } { m } \left( a ^ { 2 } - x ^ { 2 } \right) }$$
  3. Hence use integration to find an expression for \(x\) at time \(t\) while the particle is moving upwards and the string is taut.
AQA FP1 2009 June Q2
8 marks Moderate -0.8
2 A curve has equation $$y = x ^ { 2 } - 6 x + 5$$ The points \(A\) and \(B\) on the curve have \(x\)-coordinates 2 and \(2 + h\) respectively.
  1. Find, in terms of \(h\), the gradient of the line \(A B\), giving your answer in its simplest form.
  2. Explain how the result of part (a) can be used to find the gradient of the curve at \(A\). State the value of this gradient.
AQA FP1 2010 June Q5
6 marks Moderate -0.8
5 A curve has equation \(y = x ^ { 3 } - 12 x\).
The point \(A\) on the curve has coordinates ( \(2 , - 16\) ).
The point \(B\) on the curve has \(x\)-coordinate \(2 + h\).
  1. Show that the gradient of the line \(A B\) is \(6 h + h ^ { 2 }\).
  2. Explain how the result of part (a) can be used to show that \(A\) is a stationary point on the curve.
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{763d89e4-861a-4754-a93c-d0902987673f-06_1894_1709_813_153}
OCR MEI AS Paper 2 Specimen Q11
6 marks Standard +0.8
11 In this question you must show detailed reasoning. Fig. 11 shows the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\), where \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) is a cubic function. Fig. 11 also shows the coordinates of the turning points and the points of intersection with the axes. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{05376a51-e768-4b45-9c18-c98255a4bd70-11_805_620_543_317} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Fig. 11}
\end{figure} Show that the tangent to \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) at \(x = t\) is parallel to the tangent to \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) at \(x = - t\) for all values of \(t\).
AQA Paper 1 2018 June Q15
6 marks Moderate -0.5
15 A curve has equation \(y = x ^ { 3 } - 48 x\) The point \(A\) on the curve has \(x\) coordinate - 4
The point \(B\) on the curve has \(x\) coordinate \(- 4 + h\) 15
  1. Show that the gradient of the line \(A B\) is \(h ^ { 2 } - 12 h\) 15
  2. Explain how the result of part (a) can be used to show that \(A\) is a stationary point on the curve. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{85b10472-8149-4387-999f-2ef153f1a105-25_2488_1719_219_150} \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{85b10472-8149-4387-999f-2ef153f1a105-26_2488_1719_219_150} \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{85b10472-8149-4387-999f-2ef153f1a105-27_2488_1719_219_150} \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{85b10472-8149-4387-999f-2ef153f1a105-28_2498_1721_213_150}
AQA Paper 1 2022 June Q4
1 marks Easy -1.2
4 The graph of $$y = \mathrm { f } ( x )$$ where $$f ( x ) = a x ^ { 2 } + b x + c$$ is shown in Figure 1. \begin{figure}[h]
\captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1} \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{22ff390e-1360-43bd-8c7f-3d2b58627e91-04_618_634_810_703}
\end{figure} Which of the following shows the graph of \(y = \mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x )\) ? Tick \(( \checkmark )\) one box. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{22ff390e-1360-43bd-8c7f-3d2b58627e91-05_2272_437_429_557}
□ \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{22ff390e-1360-43bd-8c7f-3d2b58627e91-05_117_117_1151_1133}

CAIE P1 2024 June Q4
3 marks Easy -1.8
The equation of a curve is \(y = \text{f}(x)\), where f\((x) = (2x - 1)\sqrt{3x - 2} - 2\). The following points lie on the curve. Non-exact values have been given correct to 5 decimal places. \(A(2, 4)\), \(B(2.0001, k)\), \(C(2.001, 4.00625)\), \(D(2.01, 4.06261)\), \(E(2.1, 4.63566)\), \(F(3, 11.22876)\)
  1. Find the value of \(k\). Give your answer correct to 5 decimal places. [1]
The table shows the gradients of the chords \(AB\), \(AC\), \(AD\) and \(AF\).
Chord\(AB\)\(AC\)\(AD\)\(AE\)\(AF\)
Gradient of chord6.25016.25116.26087.2288
  1. Find the gradient of the chord \(AE\). Give your answer correct to 4 decimal places. [1]
  2. Deduce the value of f\('(2)\) using the values in the table. [1]
CAIE P1 2014 November Q4
6 marks Standard +0.3
A curve has equation \(y = \frac{12}{5 - 2x}\).
  1. Find \(\frac{dy}{dx}\). [2]
A point moves along this curve. As the point passes through \(A\), the \(x\)-coordinate is increasing at a rate of 0.15 units per second and the \(y\)-coordinate is increasing at a rate of 0.4 units per second.
  1. Find the possible \(x\)-coordinates of \(A\). [4]
OCR C1 Q8
11 marks Standard +0.3
\includegraphics{figure_8} The diagram shows the curve with equation \(y = 2 + 3x - x^2\) and the straight lines \(l\) and \(m\). The line \(l\) is the tangent to the curve at the point \(A\) where the curve crosses the \(y\)-axis.
  1. Find an equation for \(l\). [5]
The line \(m\) is the normal to the curve at the point \(B\). Given that \(l\) and \(m\) are parallel,
  1. find the coordinates of \(B\). [6]
OCR MEI C2 Q3
3 marks Moderate -0.8
A and B are points on the curve \(y = 4\sqrt{x}\). Point A has coordinates \((9, 12)\) and point B has \(x\)-coordinate \(9.5\). Find the gradient of the chord AB. The gradient of AB is an approximation to the gradient of the curve at A. State the \(x\)-coordinate of a point C on the curve such that the gradient of AC is a closer approximation. [3]