IB · Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches SL & HL · Calculus

Implicit, related rates & first principles: IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches questions with answers

Free Implicit, related rates & first principles questions for IB Mathematics: Analysis & Approaches (SL & HL), HL only, part of Calculus. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.

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Implicit, related rates & first principles practice questions

Question 1Structured · 5 marks

Air is pumped into a spherical balloon at a constant rate of 20 cm3 s−1.

Find the rate at which the radius is increasing when the radius is 5 cm.

[5]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
15π cm s−1
V = 43πr3 (A1)
dVdr = 4πr2 A1
dVdt = dVdr × drdt M1
20 = 4π(5)2drdt A1
drdt = 15π A1
5
Question 2Structured · 5 marks

Use differentiation from first principles to show that the derivative of 1x is −1x2.

[5]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
shown
f′(x) = limh→0(1x + h − 1x) ÷ h M1A1
−hhx(x + h) A1
−1x(x + h) A1
as h → 0, f′(x) → −1x2 AG R1
5
Question 3Structured · 5 marks

A ladder of length 5 m leans against a vertical wall. The bottom of the ladder slides away from the wall at a constant 0.2 m s−1.

Find the rate at which the top of the ladder is sliding down the wall when the bottom is 3 m from the wall.

[5]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
0.150 m s−1
x2 + y2 = 25 (A1)
2xdxdt + 2ydydt = 0 M1A1
y = 4 when x = 3 (A1)
dydt = −0.150, so sliding down at 0.150 m s−1 A1
5
Question 4Structured · 7 marks

A curve has equation x2y + 2y2 = 21.

(a)

Find an expression for dydx in terms of x and y.

[4]
(b)

Find the equation of the tangent to the curve at the point (−1, 3).

[3]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
(a)implicit derivative
attempt at implicit differentiation M1
2xy + x2dydx + 4ydydx = 0 A1A1
rearranging for dydx A1
4
(b)y = 613x + 4513
substituting (−1, 3): dydx = 613 (M1)(A1)
y = 613x + 4513 A1
3
Question 5Structured · 5 marks

Air is pumped into a spherical balloon at a constant rate of 50 cm3 s−1.

Find the rate at which the radius is increasing when the radius is 3 cm.

[5]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
2518π cm s−1
V = 43πr3 (A1)
dVdr = 4πr2 A1
dVdt = dVdr × drdt M1
50 = 4π(3)2drdt A1
drdt = 2518π A1
5
Question 6Structured · 5 marks

Use differentiation from first principles to show that the derivative of x2 + 5x is 2x + 5.

[5]
Show answers and mark scheme
PartAnswer and marking pointsMarks
shown
f′(x) = limh→0(x + h)2 + 5(x + h) − x2 − 5xh M1A1
2xh + h2 + 5hh A1
2x + h + 5 A1
as h → 0, f′(x) → 2x + 5 AG R1
5

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Original IB-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not IB past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Baccalaureate Organization. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in