Calculator Technique for Solving Volume

Flow Rate Problems in Calculus

The following models of CASIO calculator may work with this method: fx-570ES, fx-570ES Plus, fx-
115ES, fx-115ES Plus, fx-991ES, and fx-991ES Plus.

The following calculator keys will be used for the solution
Name Key Operation
Shift

SHIFT
Mode

MODE

Name Key Operation
Stat

SHIFT 1[STAT]
AC

AC


This is one of the series of post in calculator techniques in solving problems. You may also be
interested in my previous posts: Calculator technique for progression problems and Calculator
technique for clock problems; both in Algebra.

Flow Rate Problem
Water is poured into a conical tank at the rate of 2.15 cubic meters per minute. The tank is 8 meters
in diameter across the top and 10 meters high. How fast the water level rising when the water stands
3.5 meters deep.

Traditional Solution



Volume of water inside the tank




Differentiate both sides with respect to time



When h = 3.5 m

answer

Solution by Calculator
ShowClick here to show or hide the concept behind this technique
MODE 3:STAT 3:_+cX
2


X Y
0 0
10 4
2

5 2
2

AC 2.15 3.5y-caret = 0.3492 answer

To input the 3.5y-caret above, do
3.5 SHIFT 1[STAT] 7:Reg 6:y-caret

What we just did was actually v = Q / A which is the equivalent of for this problem.

Problem
Water is being poured into a hemispherical bowl of radius 6 inches at the rate of x cubic inches per
second. Find x if the water level is rising at 0.1273 inch per second when it is 2 inches deep?

Traditional Solution
Volume of water inside the bowl




Differentiate both sides with respect to time


When h = 2 inches, dh/dt = 0.1273 inch/sec

answer

Calculator Technique
MODE 3:STAT 3:_+cX
2


X Y
0 0
6 6
2

12 0
AC 0.1273 2y-caret = 7.9985 answer

I hope you enjoy this post. Next time you solve problems involving flow rate, try to use this calculator
technique to save time.

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