A water heater that has the shape of a right cylindrical tank with a radius of 1 foot and a height of 4 feet is being drained. how fast is the water draining out of the tank in cubic feet / minute if the water level is dropping at 6 inches/min?

For any prism-shaped geometry, the volume (V) is assumed by the product of cross-sectional area (A) and height (h).

V = Ah

Distinguishing with respect to time gives the relationship between the rates.

dV/dt = A*dh/dt

in the meantime the area is not altering

dV/dt = π * (1 ft) ^2 * (-0.5 ft/min)

dV/dt = - π/2 ft^3/min ≈ - 1.571 ft^3/min

Water is draining from the tank at the rate of π/2 ft^3/min.