At noon, a stormwater detention basin contains \(200\,\text{m}^3\) of water. For the next \(12\) hours, the net rate of change of the water volume is modeled by
\(f(t)=-3t^2+36t-60\),
where \(t\) is measured in hours after noon and \(f(t)\) is measured in cubic meters per hour. Positive values represent net inflow, and negative values represent net outflow.
a) Use the graph to identify the time intervals, stated as clock times, when water is flowing out of the basin at a net rate.
b) Find the volume of water in the basin at 6:00 p.m.
c) Explain why the volume reaches its absolute maximum at 10:00 p.m., and find that maximum volume.

Hints
- Use the sign of \(f(t)\) to decide when the volume is increasing or decreasing.
- The accumulated change in volume is a definite integral of the rate.
- Add the initial volume after finding the accumulated change.
- For an absolute maximum on a closed interval, compare critical-point and endpoint values.
Solution
1. a) Since \(f(t)=-3(t-2)(t-10)\), the rate is negative on \([0,2)\) and \((10,12]\). Therefore, net outflow occurs from noon to 2:00 p.m. and from 10:00 p.m. to midnight.
2. b) The accumulated change by \(t=6\) is \(\int_0^6(-3t^2+36t-60)\,\text{d}t=72\,\text{m}^3\). Thus, \(V(6)=200+72=272\,\text{m}^3\).
3. c) The rate is negative before \(t=2\), positive on \((2,10)\), and negative after \(t=10\). Therefore, the volume decreases, then increases, then decreases, so a maximum occurs at \(t=10\).
4. The relevant values are \(V(0)=200\,\text{m}^3\), \(V(10)=200+\int_0^{10}f(t)\,\text{d}t=400\,\text{m}^3\), and \(V(12)=200+\int_0^{12}f(t)\,\text{d}t=344\,\text{m}^3\). Therefore, the absolute maximum is \(400\,\text{m}^3\).
Answer
a) From noon to 2:00 p.m. and from 10:00 p.m. to midnight
b) \(272\,\text{m}^3\)
c) The rate changes from positive to negative at 10:00 p.m., and comparison with the endpoint volumes confirms an absolute maximum of \(400\,\text{m}^3\).