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Kumar Rohan

Physics and Mathematics

Derivative as a Rate Measure — Complete Formula

  • ⭐ – Most used in JEE
  • ⚠️ – Common Mistake
  • 💡 – Memory Hint

Basic Idea of Rate of Change

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes / Tricks
Average Rate of Change [\dfrac{f(x_2) – f(x_1)}{x_2 – x_1}] [f(x)] = function, [x_1, x_2] = points Over an interval ⭐
Instantaneous Rate [\dfrac{dy}{dx}] [y] = dependent variable, [x] = independent variable At a point ⭐

💡 Memory Hint:
Derivative = instantaneous rate


Velocity and Acceleration

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes / Tricks
Velocity [v = \dfrac{ds}{dt}] [s] = displacement, [t] = time Rate of change of position ⭐
Acceleration [a = \dfrac{dv}{dt} = \dfrac{d^2s}{dt^2}] [v] = velocity Second derivative ⭐
Average Velocity [\dfrac{s_2 – s_1}{t_2 – t_1}] Over interval
Instantaneous Velocity [\lim_{\Delta t \to 0} \dfrac{\Delta s}{\Delta t}] Exact velocity ⭐

💡 Memory Hint:
Position → velocity → acceleration


Increasing and Decreasing Functions

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes / Tricks
Increasing [\dfrac{dy}{dx} > 0] Function rises ⭐
Decreasing [\dfrac{dy}{dx} < 0] Function falls ⭐
Constant [\dfrac{dy}{dx} = 0] Flat region

💡 Memory Hint:
Sign of derivative decides behavior


Rate Problems (Related Rates)

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes / Tricks
Chain Rule Form [\dfrac{dy}{dt} = \dfrac{dy}{dx} \cdot \dfrac{dx}{dt}] [x, y] = variables depending on [t] Very important ⭐

💡 Memory Hint:
Differentiate → then substitute values


Rate of Change in Geometry


Circle

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes
Area Rate [\dfrac{dA}{dt} = 2\pi r \dfrac{dr}{dt}] [A] = area, [r] = radius Common JEE ⭐
Circumference Rate [\dfrac{dC}{dt} = 2\pi \dfrac{dr}{dt}] [C] = circumference Direct

Sphere

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes
Volume Rate [\dfrac{dV}{dt} = 4\pi r^2 \dfrac{dr}{dt}] [V] = volume Important ⭐

Cylinder

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes
Volume Rate [\dfrac{dV}{dt} = \pi r^2 \dfrac{dh}{dt} + 2\pi r h \dfrac{dr}{dt}] [h] = height Combined change ⭐

💡 Memory Hint:
Differentiate formula → apply chain rule


Exponential Growth & Decay

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes
Growth [\dfrac{dy}{dt} = ky] [k] = constant Rate ∝ quantity ⭐
Solution [y = y_0 e^{kt}] [y_0] = initial value Standard model ⭐
Decay [k < 0] Decreasing quantity

💡 Memory Hint:
Growth → exponential increase


Error & Approximation

Concept Formula Symbols Meaning Key Notes
Differential [dy = \dfrac{dy}{dx} dx] [dx] = small change Approximation ⭐
Relative Error [\dfrac{dy}{y}] Accuracy measure

💡 Memory Hint:
Small change → use derivative

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