During a heavy rainstorm, the net rate of change of the water volume in a detention basin is modeled by
\(f(t)=0.5t^3-3t^2+4t\),
where \(0\le t\le4\), \(t\) is measured in hours after 10:00 a.m., and \(f(t)\) is measured in thousands of cubic meters per hour. Figure 1 shows the graph of \(f\).
a) Find the times when the water volume is neither increasing nor decreasing.
b) Find \(f(1)\) and interpret its value and sign in context.
c) Find the time when the water volume is increasing most rapidly.
d) Explain why the water volume reaches its maximum at \(t=2\).
e) Use integration to show that the water volume after \(4\) hours equals its volume at 10:00 a.m.
f) On another day, the net rate is shown by \(g\) in Figure 2. At 10:30 a.m., or \(t=0.5\), the basin has a certain volume. Use the graph to find another time when the basin has that same volume, and justify your answer.

Hints
- Use the sign of the rate to determine whether the volume is increasing or decreasing.
- The volume increases most rapidly when its rate function is greatest.
- A definite integral of the rate gives the net change in volume.
- For the graphical part, look for symmetry that makes two signed areas cancel.
Solution
1. a) Since \(f(t)=0.5t(t-2)(t-4)\), the rate is zero at \(t=0\), \(t=2\), and \(t=4\), corresponding to 10:00 a.m., noon, and 2:00 p.m.
2. b) \(f(1)=0.5-3+4=1.5\). At 11:00 a.m., the water volume is increasing at \(1.5\times10^3\,\text{m}^3/\text{h}\).
3. c) The volume increases most rapidly when \(f\) is greatest. Solve \(f'(t)=1.5t^2-6t+4=0\). The local maximum occurs at \(t=2-\frac{2\sqrt{3}}{3}\approx0.85\), about 10:51 a.m.
4. d) The rate is positive on \((0,2)\) and negative on \((2,4)\), so the volume increases until \(t=2\) and decreases afterward.
5. e) \(\int_0^4(0.5t^3-3t^2+4t)\,\text{d}t=\left[0.125t^4-t^3+2t^2\right]_0^4=32-64+32=0\). Therefore, the net change is zero.
6. f) The graph of \(g\) is point-symmetric about \((2,0)\). Thus, the positive signed area from \(t=0.5\) to \(t=2\) cancels the negative signed area from \(t=2\) to \(t=3.5\). The same volume is reached again at \(t=3.5\), or 1:30 p.m.
Answer
a) \(t=0\), \(t=2\), and \(t=4\)
b) \(f(1)=1.5\); at 11:00 a.m., the volume is increasing at \(1.5\times10^3\,\text{m}^3/\text{h}\).
c) \(t=2-\frac{2\sqrt{3}}{3}\approx0.85\), about 10:51 a.m.
d) The rate changes from positive to negative at \(t=2\).
e) The accumulated change is \(0\), so the final and initial volumes are equal.
f) \(t=3.5\), or 1:30 p.m.