3 Application of Derivatives

Derivative as a rate of change

let s be the displacement described by a particle in time t. Then s will be a function of t and we will
write, s = f(t) units.
ds
The velocity ‘v’ of the particle at time t is, v   f ' t  units.
dt

dv d2 s
The acceleration ‘f’ at time t, that is, the rate of change of velocity at time t is; f    f " t 
dt dt 2
units.
Note : Here we are considering only magnitude of displacement, velocity and acceleration.

Illustration 1: A body of mass 6g is in rectillnear motion according to the law, s  l  lnt  1  t  13 ,
(s is in centimeters and t, in seconds).
21 
Find the kinetic energy  2 mv  of the body one-second after it begins to move.
 
Solution : The speed of the body is equal to the time-derivative of the distance :
ds 1 2 1
vt     3t  1 ., v I  12 cm/sec.
dt t  1 2
2
1 2 1  25  3
Kinetic energy  mv  6    468 erg. .
2 2  2  4

Geometrical Meaning of The Derivative y y=f(x)

The tangent to the curve y = f(x) at the point (x, y) makes
>

dy
an angle ψ with the positive x-axis. Then  tan ψ .
dx
P(x, y)
dy
Thus the derivative or f’(x) represents the slope of ψ
dx ) x
the tangent to the curve at the point (x, y). O >
Tangent and Normal to a curve
PT is the tangent to the curve y = f(x) at the point
Px1, y1  . PN is the normal to the curve at P.. y=f(x)
>

dy 
The slope of the tangent at P x 1, y 1  is   .
 dx  x 1, y 1 
P(x1, y1)
1
The slope of the normal at Px1, y1  is  . 0
90  ψ
 dy  ) ψ
>
)

 dx  O N
  x1, y1 

 dy 
Hence the equation of the tangent PT is, y  y1    x  x1  , and the equation of the normal
 dx  x1, y1
4 Application of Derivatives

1
PN is, y  y1   x  x1  or x  x1   y  y1   dy  0.
 dy   dx   x1, y1
 dx 
  x1, y1

 dy 
If    0 , then the equation of the normal would be x = x 1.
 dx  x1, y1

dy
dy g ' t 
If the equation of the curve is in the parametric form x = f(t) and y = g(t), then  dt  .
dx dx f ' t 
dt
Th us the equ ati ons of th e ta nge nt and th e no rma l a re
g' t 
y  gt   x  f t  and f ' t  x  f t   g' t y  gt   0 .
f ' t 

Length of Tangent, Normal, Sub-tangent and Sub-normal:

Let P (x, y) be any point on y = f(x). Let the tangent y
drawn at ‘P’ meet the x-axis at ‘T’ and normal drawn at

>
y=f(x)
‘P’ meets the x-axis at ‘N’. PT is called the length of the
tangent and PN is called the length of the normal. P
If ‘P1’ be the projection of the point P on the x-axis then
TP1 is called the sub-tangent (projection of line seg-

)
θ
ment PT on the x-axis) and NP 1 is called the sub nor- T θ
mal (projection of line segment PN on the x-axis).
O
)
P1 N
>x
Let PTN  θ  P1PN  θ .
Fig. 1
dy
We have tan θ  and PP1  y .
dx
2
2  dx 
Now, PT = y cos ec θ or,PT  y 1  cot θ  y 1    .
 dy 

2
 dx 
Hence the length of the tangent PT  y 1    .
 dy 

2 2
 dy   dy 
Now, PN =y sec θ  y 1  tan 2 θ  y 1     Length of the normal, PN  y 1    .
 dx   dx 

dx dx
Now, TP1  y cot θ  y  Sub - tangent TP1  y .
dy dy

dy dy
Finally, NP1  y tan θ  y  Sub - normal, NP1  y . .
dx dx

Illsutration 2:Show that the sum of the intercepts of the tangent to the curve x  y  a on the
coordinate axes is constant.
Solution : The equation of the curve is x  y  a . Differentiating with respect to x, we have
5 Application of Derivatives
1 1
1  2 1  2 dy dy y
x  y 0   .
2 2 dx dx x

y1 x y
The equation of the tangent at x1, y1  is y  y1   x  x1    1.
x1 ax1 ay1

The intercept on the x-axis = ax 1 . The intercept on the y  axis  ay 1 .

Sum of the intercepts = ax1  ay 1  a  

x 1  y1  a , which is a constant.

Illustration3:The curve y  ax 3  bx 2  cx  5 touches the x-axis at P (-2, 0) and cuts the y-axis at a
point Q where its gradient is 3. Find a, b, c.
 dy  2
Solution : Slope of the tangent to the curve at x1, y1  is    3ax 1  2bx 1  c
 dx  x1, y1
The point Q is (0, 5). Since the curve passes through (-2, 0),
-8a + 4b - 2c + 5 = 0 ..(1)
Since the slope of the tangent at (-2, 0) is 0,
12a - 4b + c = 0 ...(2)
Since the slope of the tangent at (0, 5) is 3,
c = 3. ...(3)
1 3
From (1), (2) and (3), a   , b   , c  3 .
2 4

Angle Between Two Curves y

The angle between two curves (or the angle of inter-
>

y=g(x)
section of two curves) is defined as the angle between
the two tangents at their point of intersection. As the P(x1, y1)
figure shows,  , the angle between the two curves, is 
gi ven by y=f(x)
tan ψ1  tan ψ 2 ψ2 ψ1
  ψ1  ψ 2  tan   tan ψ1  ψ 2  
)
>x
)
,
1  tan ψ1 tan ψ 2 O T2 T1
where tan ψ1  f ' x1  and tan ψ 2  g' x1  .
Two curves are said to cut each other orthogonally if the angle between them is a right angle, that
is if   90 0 , in which case we will have, tan ψ1 tan ψ 2  1 .
Two curves touch each other if the angle between the tangents to the curves at the point of inter-
section is 0 0, in which case we will have, tan ψ1  tan ψ 2 .

Illustration 4:Show that the curves ax 2  by 2  1 and cx 2  dy 2  1 cut each other orthogonally if,
1 1 1 1
   .
a b c d
Solution : Let the two curves cut each other at the point x1, y1  . Then
2 2
ax1  by1  1 ...(1)
and cx12  dy12  1 ...(2)
From (1) and (2), we get
a  c  x12  b  d y12 0. ...(3)
6 Application of Derivatives

Slope of the tangent to the curve ax 2  by 2  1, at x1, y1  is given by

 dy  ax
tan ψ1      1 . Slope of the tangent to the curve cx 2 + dy2 = 1 at (x1, y1) is
dx
   x1, y1  by 1

 dy  cx1
given by tan ψ 2     .
 dx  x
1, y1  dy1

 ax   cx 
If the two curves cut orthogonally, we must have,   1    1   1
 by1   dy1 
2 2
 acx1  bdy1  0 ...(4)
ac bd 1 1 1 1
From (3) and (4) we have      .
ac bd a b c d

Exercise 1
(i) Prove that the tangent drawn at any point to the curve f x   x 5  3x 3  4 x  8 would make an acute
angle withthex-axis.
(ii) Find the area of the triangle formed by the positive x-axis and the tangent and normal to the curve
2 2

x  y  9 at 2, 5 . 
(iii) Prove that all the normals to the curve x = a acost + at stint and y = a sint - at cos t are at a

distance ‘a’from the origin a  R  . 
(iv) If the side ofan equilateral triangle increasesuniformly at the rateof 3 ft/sec, at what rate isthe
area increasing, when the side is 10 ft ?

Monotonocity
Let y = f(x) be a given function with ‘D’ as it’s domain. Let D1  D .y
>

Increasing Function:
f(x) is said to be increasing in D1 if for
every x1, x 2  D1, x1  x 2  f x1   f x 2  . It
means that the value of f(x) will keep on
increasing with an increase in the value O Fig. 2 - Increasing Functions
>x
of x. Refer to fig. 2. y
>

Non - Decreasing Function:

f(x) is said to be non-decreasing in D 1 if
for every x1, x 2  D1, x1  x 2  f x1   f x 2  .
It means that the value of f(x) would never O Fig. 3 -Non Decreasing Functions
>x
decrease with an increase in the value of y
x. Refer to fig.3.
>

Decreasing Function:
f(x) is said to be decreasing in D1 if for
every x1, x 2  D1, x1  x 2  f x1   f x 2  . It
O Fig. 4 - Decreasing Functions
>x
means that the value of f(x) would de-
crease with an increase in the value of x.
Refer to fig. 4.
7 Application of Derivatives

y
Non-Increasing Function:

>
f(x) is said to be non-increasing in D 1 if
for every x1, x 2  D1, x1  x 2  f x1   f x 2  .
It means that the value of f(x) would never
increase with an increase in the value of >x
x. Refer to fig. 5. O Fig. 5 -Non Increasing Functions

Basic Theorems:

Let, f(x) be a function that is continuous in [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b). Then
(i). f(x) is non-decreasing function in [a, b] if f ' x   0 in (a, b);
(ii). f(x) is an increasing function in [a, b] if f’(x) > 0 in (a, b);
(iii). f(x) is a non-increasing function in [a, b] if f ' x   0 in (a, b);
(iv). f(x) is a decreasing function in [a, b] if f’(x) < 0 in (a, b).
Remarks :
(i). If f ' x   0  x  a, b  and points which make f’(x) equal to zero (in between (a, b))
don’t form an interval, then f(x) would be increasing in [a, b].
(ii). If f ' x   0  x  a, b  and points which make f’(x) equal to zero (in between (a, b))
don’t form an interval, f(x) would be decreasing in [a, b].
(iii). If f(0) = 0 and f ' x   0  x  R, then f x   0  x   , 0 and f x   0  x  0,   .
(iv) If f(0) = 0 and f ' x   0  x  R, then f x   0  x   , 0 and f x   0  x  0,   .
(v) A function is said to be monotonic if it’s either increasing or decreasing.
(vi) The points for which f’(x) is equal to zero or doesn’t exist are called critical points.
Here it should also be noted that critical points are the interior points of an interval.
(vii) The stationary points are the points where f’(x) = 0 in the domain.

π
Illustration5: Prove that sin x  tan x  2x, when 0  x  .
2

 π
Solution : Let f(x) = sinx+tanx-2x, x   0,   f ' x   cos x  sec 2 x  2 .
 2

 π  π
As cos x  cos 2 x, x   0,  , f ' x   cos2 x  sec 2 x  2  cos x  sec x 2  0, x   0,  .
 2   2
 π
Hence f(x) is increasing in  0,  .
 2

 π
Since f x   lim f x , for all x   0,  , f x   f 0   sin x  tan x  2x .
x 0  2 

Illustration 6:For x  0, a , 4x  8 cos x  4 log cos x 1  sin x  tan x  2 sec x  6 . Find a.
Solution : Let f x   4 x  8 cos x  4 log cos x 1  sin x  tan x  2 sec x  6 .
4 cos x 2
f 0   0, f ' x   4  8 sin x  4 tan x   sec x  2 sec x tan x
1  sin x
2
 4  8 sin x  4 tan x  4sec x  tan x   sec x  2 sec x tan x
2
 41  2 sin x   sec x1  2 sin x   4 sec x 1  2 sin x 
8 Application of Derivatives

2 π
 sec x  2 1  2 sin x   f ' x   0 for 0  x  . Hence
6
 π π
f x   0 for x  0, , giving a  .
 6 6

Exercise 2
(i) Find the intervals in whichf(x)  3x 4  8 x 3  6 x 2  24 x  7
(a) Increases, (b) Decreases
(ii) Show that ln (1+x) < x for x > 0.
(iii) Let f x   x 3  ax 2  bx  5 sin 2 x be an increasing function on the set R. Then show that
2
a  3b  15  0.

Maxima and Minima

f(x) is said to have a local or relative maximum at x = c, if there exists a neighbourhood (c-h, c+h),
(contained in the domain of f), of c such that f(c) > f(x)  x  c  h, c   c, c  h .
f(x) is said to have a local or relative minimum at x = c if

>
there exists a neighborhood (c - h, c + h), (contained in y
th e d omai n o f f ), o f c su ch t hat f ( c) < f ( x)
 x  c  h, c   c, c  h . f(x) is said to have relative or Local maximum

local extremum at x = c if it has relative maximum or
relative minimum at x = c. O >x
If f(x) has a local maximum (minimum) at c, then f(c) is 
Local minimum
called a local maximum (minimum) value of f.

Theorem :
If f(x) has local extremum at x = c then either f’(c) = 0 or f’(c) does not exist.
The converse of this theorem is not always true. That
is, the fact that f’(c) = 0 does not necessarily imply that
>

f(x) has local extremum at x = a. For example, consider y

y=x3
3 2
the function f(x) = x . Its derivative f’(x) = 3x vanishes
at x = 0. However, as the graph shows, x = 0 is not a
local extremum of x3.
>x
The number c in the domain of function f is called a
critical point of f, if either f’(c) = 0 or f’(c) does not exist.

Concept of Global Maximum/Minimum:

Let y = f(x) be a continuous function with domain D. Let a, b  D . Global maximum/minimum of
f(x) in [a, b] is basically the greatest/least value of f(x) in [a, b].
Global maximum and minimum in [a, b] would always
occur at critical points of f(x) within [a, b] or at the end
points of the interval.

Global Maximum / Minimum in [a, b]:

In order to find the global maximum and minimum of f(x) in [a, b], find out all the critical points of
f(x) in (a, b). Let c 1, c 2 ,...c n be the different critical points. Find the value of the function at these
critical points. Let f c 1 , f c 2 , ....., f c n  be the values of the function at critical points.
Say, M1  max f a , f c1 , f c 2 ,....., f c n , f b  and M2  min f a , f c1 , f c 2 ,....., f c n , f b  . Then M1 is the
9 Application of Derivatives
greatest value of f(x) in [a, b] and M2 is the least value of f(x) in [a, b].

Global Maximum / Minimum in (a, b):

Method for obtaining the greatest and least values of f(x) in (a, b) is almost same as the method
used for obtaining the greatest and least values in [a, b], however with a caution.
Let y = f(x) be a function and c 1, c 2 ,...c n be different critical points of the function in (a, b).
Let M1  max  f c1 , f c 2 , f c 3 ....., f c n  and M2  min  f c1 , f c 2 , f c 3 ....., f c n  .
Now if Lim f x   M1 or  M2 , f x  would not have global maximum (or global minimum in (a, b).
x a  0
or x  b  0 
This means that if the limiting values at the end points are greater than M1 or less than M2, then f(x)
wo uld not ha ve glob al max imu m/mi nim um in ( a, b). O n th e o the r ha nd if
M1  Lim f x  and M2  Lim f x  then M1 and M2 would respectively be the global maximum
x a  0 x a  0
and x  b  0  and x  b  0 
and global minimum of f(x) in (a, b).

Illustration 7: Let f x   2x 3  9x 2  12 x  6 . Discuss the global maxima and minima of f(x) in [0, 2]
and (1, 3) .
Solution :  
Here f x   2x 3  9x 2  12 x  6  f ' x   6 x 2  18 x  12  6 x 2  3 x  2  6 x  1x  2 .
First of all let us discuss [0, 2].
Clearly the critical point of f(x) in [0, 2] is x = 1.
f(0) = 6, f(1) = 11, f(2) = 10
Thus x = 0 is the point of global minimum of f(x) in [0, 2] and x = 1 is the point of
global maximum.
Now let us consider (1, 3). Clearly x = 2 is the only critical point in (1, 3).
f(2) = 10. Lim f x   11 and Lim f x   15 .
x 1 0 x 3  0

Thus x = 2 is the point of global minimum in (1, 3) and the global maximum in (1, 3)
does not exist.

Illustration:8 Find the global maximum and minimum values of f x   4 x 3  6 x 2  24 x  9 on the

closed interval [0, 3].
Solution :  
Here f ' x   12x 2  12 x  24  12 x 2  x  2  12 x  2 x  1
The critical points of f(x) are -1 and 2, but  1  0, 3 .
To find the global maximum and minimum values of f(x), we evaluate f at the critical
point and at the end points. We have f(0) = 9; f(2) = -31 and f(3) = -9.
Hence, the global maximum value of f(x) on [0, 3] is f(0) = 9; and the global minimum
value is f(2) = - 31.

Tests for Maxima and Minima:

If f’(c) = 0, then we have 3 tests to decide whether f(x) have local maxima or local minima or
neither at x = c.

First Derivative Test:

Let f(x) be continuous in some neighbourhood (c-h, c+h) of c. Then
(i) f(x) has a local maximum at x = c if ;
(i) x = c is a critical point of f(x) ;
(ii) f’(x) > 0 in (c-h, c), and (iii) f’ (x) < 0 in (c, c+h).
Here, in moving from left to right through the critical point c, f’(x) changes sign from
10 Application of Derivatives
plus to minus.
(ii) f(x) has a local minimum at x = c if;
(i) x = c is a critical point of f(x);
(ii) f’(x) < 0 in (c-h, c), and (iii) f’ (x) > 0 in (c, c+h).
Here, in moving from left to right through the critical point c, f’(x) changes sign from
minus to plus.
(iii). If f’(x) does not change sign in moving through c, then there is neither a maximum
nor a minimum at x = c.

Second Derivative Test:

Let f be a function such that,
(i) f(x) is continuous in (c - h, c + h) ;
(ii) f’(c) = 0;
(iii) f” (c) exists.
Then,
(1) f(x) has local maximum at x = c, if f”(c) < 0.
(2) f(x) has local minimum at x = c, if f”(c) > 0.
The second derivative test does not help when f’(c) = 0 and f”(c) = 0. In such a situation we shall
have to depend upon the following test.

nth Derivative Test:

Let f be a function such that
n 1
(ii) f n c   0 . Then,
(i) f ' c   f " c   ......  f c   0 ;
(1) f(x) has a local maximum at x = c ; if n is even and f (n) (c) < 0.
(2) f(x) has a local minimum at x = c ; if n is even and f (n) (c) > 0.
(3) f(x) has no local extremum at x = c; if n is odd.

Remarks:
If f’(c) does not exist or f(x) is discontinuous at x = c, then we should decide maximum/minimum by
basic definition. (In above case drawing the graph of the function becomes handy)

x 3  x 2  10 x, x0
Illustration 9: f x    . Prove that f(x) has a local minimum at x = 0.
 3 sin x, x0
>

f 0  h  f 0 f 0  h   f 0 y
Solution : Here f' 0   Lim  10 and f ' 0   Lim  3 . Hence f(x) has lo-

h 0 h h0
 h
cal minima at x = 0. > 3/2
O 1
>x
  πx 
sin  , x  1
Illustration 10: f x     2  . Prove that f(x) has a local maximum at x = 1.
 3  2x , x  1

Solution : Clearly f(x) is continuous at x = 1 as f(1 - 0) = f(1 + 0) = f(1) = 1.
π πh πh
f 1  h  f 1 sin 1  h  1 cos 1 2 sin2
Now, f' 1  lim  lim 2 lim 2  lim 4 0.
h0 h h0 h h0 h h 0 h
f 1  h  f 1 3  21  h  1
Also f' 1  lim  lim  2 .
h0 h h 0 h
Here f' 1  0 whereas f ' 1  2 .
We have to compare f(1) with f(1 -) and f(1 +).
11 Application of Derivatives
The figure clearly shows that x = 1 is the point of local maximum.

Exercises 3
 2
(i) If f x    x x0
, investigate the function at x = 0 for maxima/minima.
2 sin x x  0

(ii) Find the shortest distance between the curve x 2  y 2  4 and (6, 8).
(iii) If x+y = 4 and x  0, y  0 find the maximum value of x3y.
(iv) Prove that the function f defined by f(x) = 2|x - 2| + 5|x - 3|  x  R has a minimum value 2 at x
= 3.
π
(v) Show that sinx (1 + cosx) is a maximum when x  .
3

x
(vi) Prove that
1  x tan x  is maximum when x = cosx.

Rolle’s Theorem
It is one of the most fundamental theorem of Differential calculus and has far reaching conse-
quences. It states that if y = f(x) be a given function and satisfy the following conditions
f(x) is continuous in [a, b].
f(x) is differentiable in (a, b)
f(a) = f(b)
then there exists atleast one c  a, b such that f’(c) = 0.

Geometrical Interpretation:
The given figure will convey us the geometrical meaning of it.
If f(x) satisfies the conditions of Rolle’s theorem in [a,
>

y
b] its derivative will vanish at least once in (a, b). If
A  a, f a, B  b, f b  and f(a) = f(b) (third condition of A
B
Rolle’s theorem)
 Slope of line AB = 0
 We will have at least one point belonging to (a, b) so O a c b >
x
that tangent drawn to the curve at that point will be par-
allel to the line AB.

llustration 11: Let f(x) = x2 - 3x +4. Test for Rolle’s Theorem in [1, 2].
Solution : Obviously, f(x) is continuous in [1, 2] and differentiable in (1, 2).
3
Also f(1) = f(2) = 2. Now, f ' x   0  2 x  3  0  x   x  1, 2 .
2
Hence Rolle’s theorem is verified.

Applications of Rolle’s Theorem:

If y = f(x) satisfies the Rolle’s theorem in [a, b], then f’(x) = 0 for some x  a, b  . As any
solution of f’(x) = 0 will give us a root of f’(x) = 0, we can say that at least one root of f’(x)
= 0 will belong to (a, b) if f(x) satisfies all conditions of Rolle’s Theorem.

Let x = a and x = b be the roots of f(x) = 0 and y = f(x) satisfies the conditions of Rolle’s
12 Application of Derivatives
theorem in [a, b]. Here f(a) = f(b) = 0. Hence we can say that between two roots of f(x) = 0
at least one root of f’(x) = 0 will lie.

Illustration12:Let f(x) = (x - a) (x - b) (x - c), a < b < c. Show that f’(x) = 0 has two roots one
belonging to (a, b) and other belonging to (b, c).
Solution : here, f(x) being a polynomial is continuous and differentiable for all real values of x.
We also have f(a) = f(b) = f(c). If we apply Rolle’s theorem to f(x) in [a, b] and [b, c]
we will observe that f’(x) = 0 will have at least one root in (a, b) and at least one root
in (b, c). But f’(x) is a polynomial of degree two, so that f’(x) = 0 can not have more
than two roots. It implies that exactly one root of f’(x) = 0 will lie in (a, b) and exactly
one root of f’(x) = 0 will lie in (b, c).

Let y = f(x) be a polynomial function of degree n. If f(x) = 0 has real roots only, then f’(x) =
0, f”(x) = 0 ,...f n-1 (x) = 0 will have real roots. It is in fact the general version of above
mentioned application, because if f(x) = 0 have all real roots, then between two consecutive
roots of f(x) = 0, exactly one root of f’(x) = 0 will lie.

IIllustration13:Prove that 2a 20  15a, all roots of x 5  a0 x 4  3ax 3  bx 2  cx  d  0 can’t be real. It is

given that a 0 , a, b, c, d R .
Solution : Let f x   x 5  a0 x 4  3ax 3  bx 2  cx  d so that
4 3 2
f ' x   5 x  4a 0 x  9ax  2bx  c,
3 2 2
 2
f " x   20 x  12a0 x  18ax  2b, and f " ' x   60 x  24a 0 x  18a  6 10 x  4a0 x  3a 
 
Now, discriminant of 10 x 2  4a0 x  3a  16a 20  4. 10. 3a  8 2a02  15a  0 given
Hence the roots of f”’(x) = 0 can not be real.
Therefore all the roots of f(x) = 0 will not be real.

Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem

This theorem is in fact the general version of Rolle’s theorem, It says that if y = f(x) be a given
function which is;
Continuous in [a, b]
Differentiable in (a, b)
f b  f a
then f ' c   at least once for some c  a, b .
ba

Geometrical Interpretation : y
>

Let A  a, f a  and B  b, f b  . C3

f b   f a  C1
Slope of the chord AB  . B
ba
As f’(x) gives us the slope of tangent at the point (x, y),
C2
this theorem simply says that there will be at least one
A
point in (a, b) e.g. (points c 1, c 2 and c 3 ) such that tan-
O a b >x
gent drawn to the curve at this point will be parallel to
the chord connecting points A and B.

We can have one more interpretation, i.e. f’(x) is the instantaneous rate of change of f(x)
f b  f a 
and gives us the average rate of change of f(x) over [a, b].
ba
13 Application of Derivatives
Proving Lagrange’s mean value theorem using Rolle’s theorem :
 f b   f a  
Let a function g(x) be defined as g(x) = f(x) - h(x) where h(x) =   x  a   f a  .
 ba 
Now g is continuous in [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b); moreover g(a) = f(a) - h (a) = f(a) - f(a) =
0 and g(b) = f(b) - h(b) = f(b) - f(b) = 0.

Thus g satisfies the conditions of Rolle’s theorem. Hence there exists a point c in (a, b) such that
f b   f a  f b   f a  f b   f a 
g’(c) = 0. But g’(x) = f’(x) - , and so g’(c) = 0 implies f’(c) - = 0  f ' c   .
ba ba ba
This theorem simply says that the average rate of change of the function over a given
interval will be equal to instantaneous rate of change of function on at least one point of
that interval. It is a well known fact in physics that average velocity of a particle over an
interval is equal to instantaneous velocity of the particle at some point of that interval.

Another Form:
If we write b = a+ h, then
since a < c < b,
c  a  θh where 0  θ  1 .
Thus mean value theorem can be stated as follows :
(i) If f(x) is continuous in [a, a+h]
(ii) f ’ (x) ex ists i n (a , a +h) , t hen th ere ex ists a t le ast on e n umb er
θ 0  θ  1 such that f a  h  f a  hf ' a  θh  .

Illustration14:Find c of the Lagrange’s mean value theorem for the function f(x) = 3x2+5x+7 in the
interval [1, 3].
Solution : Given that f(x) = 3x 2+5x+7 ...(1)
 f 1  3  5  7  15 and f 3  27  15  7  49 . Again f’(x) = 6x+5.
f b   f a 
here a = 1, b = 3. Now from Lagrange’s mean value theorem f’(c) =
ba
f 3   f 1 49  15
 6c  5    17 or c  2 .
3 1 2

Illustration15:If A be two points on the curve y = ax 2 + bx + c, then using Lagrange’s mean value
theorem show that there will be at least one point C(x3, y3) where the tangent will be
x1  x 2
parallel to the chord AB. Also show that x 3  .
2
2
Solution : Here y  f x   ax  bx  c .
As f(x) is a polynomial function, it is continuous and differentiable for all x.
So, according to geometrical interpretation of mean value theorem there will be at
least one point Cx 3 , y 3  between A x1, y1  and Bx 2 , y 2  where tangent will be parallel
to chord AB.

 f ' x 3  
f x 2   f x1 
 2ax 3  b 
 
a x 22  x12  bx 2  x1  x  x1ax 2  x1   b
 2ax 3  b  2
x 2  x1 x 2  x1 x 2  x1

x1  x 2
 x3  .
2
14 Application of Derivatives

Exercise 4
1
(i) Verify Rolle’s Theorem for the function f(x) = 2x3 + x2 - 4x - 2, where   x  2.
2
(ii) Let ax 2  bx  c  0; a, b, c  R . If 2a + 3b + 6c = 0, then show that this equation will have at least
onerootin(0,1).
βα 1 1 βα
(iii) Show by using mean value theorem that 2
 tan β  tan α  2
where β  α  0.
1 β 1 α

(iv) Show that there lies a point on the curve f x   xx  3 e  x / 2 in the interval (-3, 0) where the tangent
drawn toitisparallel tothex-axis.
(v) Discuss theapplicability of Rolle’s theorem for f x   2  x  12 / 3 in theinterval [0,2].
1
(vi) Find ‘c’ of the mean value theorem, if f x   xx  1x  2; a  0, b  .
2

Exercise 1:
9 5
(ii) sq. units. (iv) 15 3 ft 2 / sec .
4
Exercise 2:
(i) (a)  1, 1  2,   (b)  ,  1  1, 2 
Exercise 3:
(i) Minima at x = 0 (ii) 8 (iii) 27.
Exercise 4:
(v) Rolle’s theorem is not applicable.
21
(vi) c  1  .
6
15 Application of Derivatives

Problem 1: Find the acute angle between the curves y  x 2  1 and y  x 2  3 at their points of
intersection.
Solution : The given equation represents 4 parabolas y   x 2  1 and y   x 2  3 which can be    
traced. The curves intersect when 1  x 2  3  1  x  3 or  3  x  1
2 2
 y  x  1 and y   x  3 .  

>
y  x2  1
The points of intersection are  2 , 1 .   y  x2  3

Since the curves are symetrical about the

>
y-axis, the angle of intersection at  2, 1   
3 , 0 1, 0  1, 0  3, 0 
= the angle of intersection at  2, 1  
4 2 4 2 1 4 2
At  
2, 1, m1  2x  2, m 2  2x  2 2  tan θ 
1 8

7
 θ  tan
7
.

Problem 2: Find the equation of the normal to the curve y  1  x y  sin 1 sin2 x at x = 0.  
Solution : At x = 0, y = 1  Point at which normal is drawn is P  0, 1 .
Also, 1  x y  y  sin1 sin2 x  0 .  
Differentiating, we have

1  x y ln 1  x  dy  y  dy
 
1
 2 sin x cos x  0
 dx 1  x  dx 1  sin x
4


dy
dx
 
1  x y ln 1  x   1  1  x y y  2 sin x2  0
1 x 1  sin x

1 2 sin 0
1  01  
dy 1 0 1 0
  1
1 slope of normal = -1
dx 0, 1 1  1  0  ln1
 Equation of normal having slope - 1 at point P (0, 1) is given by y -1 = - 1 (x - 0)
 x+y = 1.

Problem 3: Which normals(s) to the curve y = x 2 forms the shortest chord ?

Solution : Let P (t, t2) be the parametric co-ordinates of any point on the parabola y = x2 so that
dy 2 1
 2x  2t . Hence normal at P is y  t   x  t  ...(i)
dx 2t
If this line meets the curve again at Q t ' , t '2 then  
1
'2
t t 
2
t't   t' t   1 as t  t'
2t 2t
1
 t'  t  ...(ii)
2t
If ‘I’ is the length of the normal chord, then
z  l  PQ
2 2 2
 2
 t  t '   t  t
'2 2
 2

 z  t  t '  1  t  t ' 
2

16 Application of Derivatives
2 2
 1   1 
Putting the value of ‘t’ from (ii), we have z   t  t   1     
2t 2t      

 z
4t  1 . 4t
2 2 2
1

4t  1
2 3

.
2 2 4
4t 4t 16t

p  13 3 1 dz 3 2
Now put 4t = p where p > 0  z 
2
2
p3 
p p2

dp
 1 2  3  0
p p p
2
d z 6 6
3 2
 p  3p  2  0  p  1 p  2  0  p  2 as p  1 . And 2
 3
 4
0.
dp p p
Hence z is minimum when p = 2 = 4t 2
2 1 1 1 1 1
t  t  Equations of the normals are y -   x .
2 2 2 2 2
Alternative Solution :
2 1
The equation of the normal to the given curve at P (t, t 2) is y  t   x  t  or
2t
2  
xt yt 2rt r
  r so that any point Q on this line is  t  , t2  .
2t 1  2 
  1  4rt 2 1  4t 
2 2
1  4t 1  4t
If th is poi nt lie s on y = x2 s uch th at PQ = r, th en
2
  2 2 2
r 2rt   t 2  4rt 4r t
 t 
2
t  
2  2  2 1  4t 2
1  4t  1  4t  1  4t

 PQ  r 
1  4t  2 3/2
.PQ is minimum for t  
1
2
4t 2

1 1 1
Hence the required normals are given by the equations y   x .
2 2 2

x
Problem -4: Let g(x) = 2f    f 2  x  and f " x   0  x  0, 2 . Find the intervals of increase and
2
decrease of g(x).
x
Solution : We have gx   2f    f 2  x 
2

x
 g' x   f '    f ' 2  x  ...(1)
2
We are given that, f”(x) < 0.

It means that f’(x) would be decreasing in (0, 2).

x 3x 4 x 4 x 4
Let 2x   2 x    2  x if 0  x  and  2  x if  x  2
2 2 3 2 3 2 3
x  4 x 4 
 f '    f ' 2  x , x   0,  and f '    f ' 2  x , x   , 2 
2  3 2 3 
17 Application of Derivatives

 4 4 
 g' x   0, x   0,  and g' x   0, x   , 2 
 3 3 

 4 4 
 gx  is incerasing in  0,  and decreasing in  , 2 
 3  3 

 xeax , x0
Problem-5: Let f x    2 3
, where a is a positive constant. Find the interval in which
x  ax  x , x  0
f’(x) is increasing.
Solution : The given function; as defined, leads to
 eax  axeax x0 2ae ax  a 2 xeax x 0
 
f ' x    1 x  0 , f " x    2a x0
1  2ax  3 x 2 x0  2a  6x x0
 
ax
For f’(x) to be an increasing function f”(x) > 0 i.e. ae 2  ax   0 and 2a  6 x  0
2 a  2 a
i.e. x   and x   The interval in which f’(x) is increasing is  ,  .
a 3  a 3

Problem-6: Show that the function f(x) = x+cosx - a is an increasing function and hence deduce
that the equation x + cosx = a has no positive roots for a<1 and has one positive root
for a > 1.
Solution : The given function is f(x) = x+cosx - a, so that
f ' x   1 sin x  0  f(x) is always an increasing function.
Also lim f x    and lim f x    .
x  x  

Hence the graph of f(x) cut the x-axis only once

 f(x)=0 i.e. x+cosx = a will have only one real root.
Now if a<1,

f 0   1  a  0  f x   0  x  R
 f(x) = 0 does not have any positive real roots.
If a  1, f 0   0 but xlim

f x    .

Hence f(x) = 0 have exactly one positive real root.

Problem-7: Use the function sinxsinx ,0  x  π , to determine the bigger of the two numbers :
e
 1 1
  and 2 .
2
  e

Solution : Let f x   sin x sin x  e sin x log sin x

 f ' x   sin x 
sin x
cos x log sin x  cos x  0 when x  sin1 1 or x  π
e 2

 2 
sin x 2 2 cos x
and f " x   sin x  cos x1  log sin x   sin x log sin x   sin x  , so that
 sin x 
1
 1  1  π
f "  sin1    e   e e and f "    1 .
 e  e 2
18 Application of Derivatives

 1
Hence f(x) has local as well as global minimum at x  sin1  and has local as well as
 e
π
global maximum at x  .
2
1/ e
 1
Global minimum value of f(x) is   . It, therefore, follows that
e  
π 1
sin 1/ 2 1/ e e
 π 6  1e  1  1  1 1
 sin 6               2 .
  e
   2 e 2
  e

Problem 8: f(x), a polynomial of degree 4, vanishes at x = -1 and has local maximum/minimum

2
1348
at x = 1, x = 2 and x = 3. If  f x  dx   15
, find f x  .
2

Solution : Since f(x) is a polynomial of degree 4 having x = 1, x = 2 and x = 3 as critical points,

3 2
f ' x   A x  1 x  2 x  3;  A x  6 x  11x  6 .  
A 4
This gives; f x  
4
 3 2
x  8 x  22x  24 x  B . 
2
55 A 1348
Also f(-1) = 0  B   1 and  f x   
4 2
15

2
A 1348
 x 
4
  8 x 3  22x 2  24 x  55 dx  
4 2
15

2
A 1348 337 1348

20 
x 4  22x 2  55 dx  
15
15
A
15
4 3 2
 A  4. Hence f x   x  8 x  22 x  24 x  55 .

Problem 9: Let S be a square of unit area. Consider any quadrilateral which has one vertex on
each side of S. If a, b, c and d denote the lengths of the sides of the quadrilateral,
prove that 2  a 2  b 2  c 2  d2  4 .
Solution : The vertices and the sides of the inscribed quadrilateral are shown in the figure.
We have
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
a  p  s , b  1  p   q , c  1  q  1  r  and d  r  1  s .
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
 a  b  c  d  p  1  p  q  1  q  r  1  r   s  1  s .
Now we know that 0  p, q, r, s  1 .
>

Co nsid er the f un cti on (r, 1)

2 2
(0, 1) (1, 1)
f x   x  1  x  , 0  x  1 d c
(1, q)
 f ' x   2x  2  2x  4 x  2  0
(0, s) b
1 a
 x
2
(0, 0) (p, 0) (1, 0)
>x
Minimum value of f(x) = 1/2 and Maximum
value of f(x) = 1
19 Application of Derivatives
1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 2 2
  p  1  p  1,  q  1  q  1;  r  1  r   1, and  s  1  s   1 . Adding
2 2 2 2
we get, 2  a 2  b 2  c 2  d2  4 .

Problem 10: Let f x   


4 x  x 3  ln b 2  3b  3  2x3
. Find all the possible real values of b such
 x  18 x 3
that f(x) has the smallest value at x = 3.
4  3x 2 2 x3
Solution : f ' x     f x  is decreasing in 2, 3  and increa sin g in 3,   . Now, f(x) will
 1 x3
2
 2
have least value at x = 3 if lim f x   f 3  i.e.  15  ln b  3b  3   15 i.e. ln b  3b  3  0
x 3
  
2 2
 b  3b  3  1 i.e. b  3b  2  0 i.e. b   , 1  2,   .

1 8 27 64
Problem 11: Find the largest term in the sequence , , , ,....
301 316 381 556

r3
Solution : Here general term of the sequence is Tr  .
300  r 4
Now we cannot find maximum or minimum of Tr by calculus, since Tr is defined only
for natural numbers r. So it is not continuous and hence not differentiable. To
overcome this difficlty we take a corresponding functin as follows

 
f : R  R defined by f x  
x
3
 f ' x  
2

3 x 300  x   x .4 x
4 3 3
so that
300  x 4 300  x  4 2

2 6 4
f ' x   0  900 x  x  0  x  900, as x  0  x  4 900 .
Clearly at this point, f(x) has global maximum.
Now 5  4 900  6  either T5 or T6 will be the largest term. Since T6  T5
216
T6  is the largest term of the sequence.
1596

Problem 12: Show that, in an ellipse, the distance of a normal to the curve from the centre does
not exceed the magnitudes of difference between the semi-axes.
x2 y2
Solution : Let the ellipse be   1.
a2 b2
Equation of the normal to the ellipse at a cos θ, b sin θ  is
2 2
ax sec θ  by cos ecθ  a  b .
2 2
a b
Length of the perpendicular from the centre  .
2 2 2 2
a sec θ  b cos ec θ

For the length of the perpendicular to be maximum a 2 sec 2 θ  b 2 cos ec 2θ should be

minimum. Let p  a2 sec 2 θ  b 2 cos ec 2θ .

dp b
For  0, tan θ  .
dθ a
20 Application of Derivatives

d2p
Also 2
 4a 2 sec 2 θ tan2 θ  2a 2 sec 4 θ  4b 2 cos ec 2θ cot 2 θ  2b 2 cos ec 4 θ  0
dθ

b
Hence p will be minimum when tan θ 
a

 b  a 2
 min imum value of p  a2 1    b 2 1   a  b 
 a  b
 

a2  b2
 max imum value of length of perpendicular   a  b , which is the difference be-
a  b 
tween the semi - axies.

x2 y 2
Problem 13: Find the miximum area of an isosceles triangle inscribed in the ellipse  =1
a2 b2
with its vertex at one end of the major axis.
Solution : Let A, B, C, be the vertices of the isosceles triangle.
Let B  a cos θ, b sin θ   C  a cos θ,  b sin θ  by symmetry  .
Area of the triangle ABC, is given by
1 1
A BC.AD  2b sin  a1  cos  
2 2 D O A
 A  ab sin  1  cos 
dA

d
 
 ab cos 1  cos   sin2   ab 1  cos 2 cos   1

dA 
Putting  0   , . Fo r   , ABC is no t p oss ible , a nd
d 3
2
d A π
2
  0 . Thus for θ  the area of the isosceles triangle will be maximum
d θ  θ  π 3
3

3 3
and A  ab sq. units.
4

Problem 14: If f(x) and g(x) are differentiable functions for 0  x  1 such that f(0) = 2, g(0) = 0,
f(1) = 6, g(1) = 2, then show that there exists ‘c’ satisfying 0<c<1 and f’(c) = 2g’(c).
Solution : Let h(x) = f(x) -2 g(x). h(x) is continuous as well as differentible in the given interval
as f(x) and g(x) are differentiable in [0, 1]. Also h(0) = h (1) = 2. Hence by Rolle’s
Theorem h’ (c) = 0 where 0<c<1  f ' c   2g' c  .

Problem 15: If functions f(x) and g(x) are continuous in [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b), show
that there will be at least one point c, a<c<b such that
f a  f b  f a  f ' c 
 b  a  .
ga  gb ga g' c 
21 Application of Derivatives

f a  f x 
Solution : Let Fx    f a gx   ga f x  ...(1)
ga  gx 
 F' x   f a g' x   ga f ' x  ...(2)
Since f(x) and g(x) are continuous in [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b), F(x) is con-
tinuous in [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b). Also from (1), F(a) = f(a) g(a) - g(a) f(a)
= 0 And F(b) = f(a) g(b) - g(a) f(b). Now by mean value theorem there will be at least
Fb  Fa 
on e p oint c, a< c<b su ch t hat F' c  
ba
f a gb   ga f b   0
 f a  g' c   ga  f ' c  
ba

f a  f b  f a  f ' c 
or f a  g b   g a  f b   b  a  f a  g ' c   g a  f ' c  or  b  a  .
g a  g b  g a  g ' c 
22 Application of Derivatives

Problem 1: The equation of the tangent to the curve f(x) = 1+e -2x where it cuts the line y = 2 is
(a) x + 2y = 2 (b) 2x + y =2 (c) x - 2y = 1 (d) x - 2y + 2 = 0
df df
Solution : When y  2, e  2x  1  x  0, and  2e  2x   2
dx dx x  0
 The equation of the tangent is, (y - 2) = -2 (x - 0)  2x+y-2 = 0.
Hence (b) is the correct answer.

Problem 2: If the line ax+by+c = 0 is normal to the curve x y + 5 = 0 then

(a) a>0, b<0 (b) b>0, a<0 (c) a<0, b<0 (d) none of these
dy dy y
Solution : xy  5  x y0     0 as xy  5  0   The Slope of the nor-
dx dx x
a a
mal is negative    0   0  a  0, b  0 or a  0, b  0 .
b b
Hence (c) is the correct answer.

Problem 3: If y = a ln |x| + bx 2 + x has its extreme values at x = -1 and x = 2 then P  a, b  is

 1  1
(a) (2, -1) (b)  2,   (c)   2,  (d) none of these
 2  2

dy a dy dy
Solution : Since   2bx  1,  0 and 0
dx x dx x  1 dx x2

1
 a  2b  1  0, a  8b  2  0  a  2, b   . Hence (b) is the correct answer..
2

Problem 4: If S is the interval such that f(x) = 8x 2 - ln |x| increases in S then S contains
 1 
(a)   4 , 0  (b) (0, 2) (c)  ,  1 (d) none of these
 

1 16  2 1
Solution : Here f ' x   16 x  x  x  x  16  .
 

1 1  1
For an increasing function, f ' x   0  x  x  4   x  4   0
  

 1  1 
 x    , 0    ,   . Hence (a) is the correct answer..
 4  4 

2
x 1
Problem 5: Number of critical points of f x   2
is
x
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) none of these
Solution : Clearly f(x) is not differentiable at x = 1 and x = -1 (x = 0 is not a critical point as it is
not in the domain). Therefore 1 and -1 are critical points. Hence (c) is the correct
answer.
23 Application of Derivatives
Problem 6: The number of critical points of f(x) = max (sinx, cosx) for x  0, 2π 
(a) 2 (b) 5 (c) 3 (d) none of these
Solution : Clearly A, B, and C are the critical points. f(x)=max(sinx, cosx)
Hence (c) is the correct answer. y

5 / 4
A B x
O /2 2
y=cosx C 3 / 2
y=sinx
Problem 7: If f x   4 x  x  3 when x 0, 4 then
2

(a) x = 1 is global maximum (b) x = 3 is a global maximum

(c) x = 2 is a local maximum (d) none of these
Solution : Clearly, x = 1, 3 are the points of global

>
y
minimum (values being equal) and x = 0,
3 y  x 2  4x  3
4 are the points of global maximum (val-
ues being equal) and x = 2 is a local maxi- 1
mum. Hence (c) is the correct answer.
O 1 2 3 4 >
x

Graph of y  x 2  4x  3
x
Problem 8:  
If f x    t  1 e t  1 t  2t  4  dt then f(x) would assume the local minima at
0

(a) x = -4 (b) x = 0 (c) x = -1 (d) none of these

Solution :  
Here, f ' x   x  1 e x  1 x  2 x  4 

+ - + - +
-4 -1 0 2

Clearly x = -1 and x = 2 are the points of local minima.

Hence (c) is the correct answer.

Problem 9: If the function f(x) = cos|x| - 2ax + b increases for all x  R , then
b 1 3
(a) a  b (b) a  (c) a   (d) a  
2 2 2
sin x 1
Solution : Here f ' x   0,  x  R   sin x  2a  0  a   a   .
2 2
Hence (c) is the corect answer.

 3x 0  x 1
Problem 10: Let f x    2 . Then the set of values of b for which f(x) has the least
 x  ln b x 1
value at x = 1, is given by
(a) (0, 1] (b) (-e, 0] (c)  , 0  (d) none of these
Solution : Lim f x   f 1  2  1  ln b  ln b  1  b  e .

x 1
Hence (c) is the correct answer.
24 Application of Derivatives

LEVEL - I

1. Find the equations of the tangent and the normal to the curve y(x - 2) (x - 3) -x +7 = 0 at the
point where it cuts the x -axis.

2. Find the equation of the normal to the curve x 3+y3 = 8xy at the point where it meets the
curve y2 = 4x, other than the origin.

3. Find the angle between the curves x 3-3xy2 = -2 and 3x2y - y3 = 2.

  
4. Show by using mean value theorem and taking f(x) = log x, that 1  log   1 .
  

x2 y 2
5. For what values of a will the curves  = 1 and y3 = 16x intersect at right angles ?
a2 4

6. For the curve xy = c2, show that the tangent at any point makes with the coordinate axes a
triangle of constant area.

x 
7. Applying mean value theorem to f(x) = (ln 2) sin + logx, prove that g(x) = (ln 2)
2 2
x 1
cos  = 0 has a root lying between 1 and 2.
2 x

8. (i) In the curve x = a (cost + log tan t/2), y = a sin t, show that the portion of the tangent
between the point of contact and the x-axis is of constant length.
(ii) Find the equation of the tangents drawn to the curve y 2 - 2x2 - 4y + 8 = 0 from the point
(1, 2).

9. (i) Find a point on the hypotenuse of a right-angled triangle from which perpendiculars can
be dropped on other sides to form a rectangle of maximum area.
(ii) Rectangles are inscribed in a circle of radius x. Find the dimensions of the rectangle
which has maximum area.

10. (i) Determine A and B so that y = A/x + Bx has a minimum at the point (1, 6).
ax  b
(ii) The function y  has a critical point at P (2, -1). Find a and b so that y has
( x  1)( x  4)
local maximum at P.

ANSWERS

1. Tangent x - 20y - 7 = 0, normal ; 20x + y - 140 = 0

2. x-y=0 3. 90 0
2 3
5. a =
3
8. (ii). 2x + y = 4 ; 2x - y = 0
9. (i). Middle point of hypotenuse. (ii). Each side is 2x
10. (i) A = B = 3 (ii) a = 1, b = 0
25 Application of Derivatives
LEVEL - II

1. (i) Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem for the function f(x) = x(x-1)(x-2) in the inter-
val
[0, 1/2].
(ii) If a function f(x) is continuous in [2, 4] and differentiable in (2, 4) and f(2) = 5, f(4) =
13, show that there will be at least one point c, where 2 < c < 4 such that f’(c) = 4.

2. Find the equation of the normal to the curve x = a cos   a sin, y  a sin   a cos  . Also
show that it is at a constant distance from the origin.

ax  b
3. (i) Show that f(x) = has no local maximum/minimum regardless of the values of
cx  d
a,b,c,d.
(ii). Let f(x) = 2x3 - 3(a+b)x2 + 6abx. Find the relative maximum/minimum of ‘f’ if a < b.

4. Find the rectangle of maximum area that can be inscribed in a semicircle of radius r.

5. (i) Find the point of the hyperbola 3x2 - 4y2 = 72 which is nearest to the line 3x + 2y + 1
= 0 and compute the distance between the point and the line.
(ii) Find the maximum value of x m yn, m, n >0 such that x + y = a.

x y FG x IJ  FG y IJ
n n

6. Find the set of values of n for which the line   2 touches the curve
a b H aK H b K = 2 at

(a,b).

7. Let (h, k) be a fixed point, where h > 0, k > 0. A straight line passing through this point cuts
the positive direction of the coordinate axes at the points P and R. Find the minimum area
of the triangle OPR, O being the origin.

8. If g(x) = f(x) + f(1 - x) and f”(x) < 0; 0  x  1, show that g(x) increases in (0, 1/2) and
decreases in (1/2, 1).

R| x  x  10x  5,
3 2

Let f(x) = S
x1
9.
|T2x  log db  2i,
2
2
x1
. Find the values of b for which f(x) has greatest value at x

= 1.

4a  7 3
10. Let S be the non-empty set containing all ‘a’ for which f(x)  x  (a  3)x2  x  5 is mono-
3

tonic for x R . Find S.

26 Application of Derivatives

ANSWERS

2. x cos   y sin   a  0

3. (ii). Relative maximum at x = a and relative minimum at x = b

r
4. Rectangle having sides r 2 and . Maximum Area= r2.
2

11 F a IJ
(ii) GH
mn

m  nK
5. (i) Point on the hyperbola is (-6, 3) and distance units. m mn n
13

6. n is any real number other than 0

7. 2hk square units

9. b   130 , 2  j e 2 , 130

10. a [ 2, 8 ]
27 Application of Derivatives
LEVEL - III

1. Use the function f(x) = x 1/x, x > 0, to determine the bigger of the two numbers e  and  e .

2. Find all the tangents to the curve y = cos (x + y), 2  x  2 that are parallel to the line x +
2y = 0.
F x I  f(6  x )  x R . It is given that f”(x)
2
3. Discuss the monotonicity of g(x), where g(x) = 2f GH 2 JK 2

> 0  x R . Find also the points of maxima and minima of g(x).

4. (i) Find the greatest and least values of the functionf(x) = (sin -1x)3+(cos-1x)3.
(ii). For what values of ‘m’ does the function f(x) = (m + 2) x 3 - 3mx2 + 9mx -1 decreases
for all real x.

5. (i). Find the angle of intersection of curves y = [|sinx| + |cosx|] and x 2 + y2 = 5, where [.]
denotes the greatest integer function.
(ii) A conical vessel is to be prepared out of a circular sheet of gold of unit radius. How
much sectorial area is to be removed from the sheet so that the vessel has maxi-
mum volume?

6. (i) If a,b,c, be non-zero real numbers such that

z z
1 2

(1  cos 8 x)(ax2  bx  c)dx  (1  cos 8 x)(ax2  bx  c)dx  0, then equation ax2+bx+c = 0

0 0

will have one root between 0 and 1 and other root between 1 and 2.
(ii) If the function f:[0,4]  R is differentiable then show that
(a) There exist a,b,  [0,4] such that (f(4))2 - (f(0))2 = 8f’(a) f(b)

z
4
(b) d i d i
There exist ,  (0,2) such that f(t)dt = 2 f  2  f  2 .
0

7. Find a polynomial f(x) of degree 4 which increases in the intervals ( , 1) and (2, 3) and
decreases in the intervals (1, 2) and (3,  ) and satisfies the condition f(0) = 1.

8. Let A(p 2, -p), B(q 2, q), C(r2, -r) be the vertices of a triangle ABC. A parallelogram AFDE is
drawn with D, E and F on the line segments BC, CA and AB respectively. Show that the
1
maximum area of the parallelogram is (p+q) (q+r) (p-r), given p > r..
4

z
x

9. Investigate for maxima and minima of the function f ( x)  2( t  1)( t  2) 3  3( t  1) 2 ( t  2)2 dt.
1


10. (i). Show that 2x > 3 sinx - x cosx, 0 < x < .
2
 x2
(ii). If 0 < x < , show that cosx > 1 - .
2 2
F x2I F x2 I
(iii). Prove that x  GH 2 JK GH
 loge (1  x)  x 
2(1  x) JK
x0
28 Application of Derivatives
ANSWERS

1. e
2. 2x  4 y    0, 2x  4 y  3   0
3. g(x) is monotonically decreasing in ( ,2)  (0, 2) and monotonically increasing in
(-2, 0) (2, ) , x = -2, 2 are the points of local minima of g(x) whereas x = 0 is the point of
local maxima of g(x).
7 3 3
4. (i) Greatest value = ,Least value 
8 32
(ii) (,3)
5. (i) tan -1(2)
F I
(ii) GH
 1
2
3 JK
sq. units.

7. k( x4  8 x3  22x 2  24 x)  1, k  ( , 0) 9. f is max. at x = 1, min. at x = 7/5 & f is neither max. nor

min. at x = 2.
29 Application of Derivatives

LEVEL - I

1. The curve y = e xy - x, has a vertical tangent at

(a) (1, 1) (b) (0, 1) (c) (1, 0) (d) none of these

2. f(x) = tan -1(sinx+cosx) is an increasing function in

FG   IJ FG  IJ FG   IJ
H
(a)  ,
2 2 K H
(b) 0,
2 K (c)  ,
H 4 4 K (d) none of these

3. If the parabola y2 = 4x meets a circle with centre at (6, 5) orthogonally, then possible point(s)
of intersection can be

e
(a) 3, 2 3 j (b) (9, 6) (c) e2, 8 j (d) none of these

4. Let f :R  R, where f(x) = x3 - ax , a R . Then set of values of ‘a’ so that f(x) is increasing
in its entire domain is
(A) (,0) (b) (0, ,) (c) ( ,  ) (d) none of these

5. If f(x) = [x], then exhausitive set of critical points of f(x) is ;

(a) R (b) I (c) Q (d) none of these

6. The function f(x) = |x 2 - 3x +2| has local maxima at

(a) x = 1 (b) x = 3/2 (c) x = 2 (d) none of these

FG IJ
7. Let f(x) = x - sin x and g(x) = x- tan x where x  0,
H 2 K
. Then for these values of x

f ( x)
(a) f(x). g(x) > 0 (b) f(x) g(x) < 0 (c) 0 (d) none of these
g( x)

8. For the function f(x) = {x}, where {.} denotes the factional part of x = 1 is a point of
(a) continuity (b) local maxima (c) local minima (d) none of these

9. The function f(x) = 3 sinx - cos x will increase monotonically in the interval
LM   OP LM  2 OP
N
(a)  2 , 2
Q N
(b)  3 , 3
Q (c) 0, (d) none of these

10. If f(x) = sin x + a 2x + b is an increasing function for all values of x, then

(a) a  ( ,1)  (1,  ) (b) a  (0,  ) (c) a  (1, 1) (d) none of these

ln x
11. Let f(x) = tan -1x - , x  0 . Then f(x) is increasing in
2
(a) (0, ) (b) ( , 0) (c) (1,  ) (d) none of these

2 2
12. The minimum value of e( 2 x  2 x  1) sin x
is
(a) e (b) 1/e (c) 1 (d) none of these
30 Application of Derivatives

13. If f’(x) exists for all x  R and g(x) = f(x) - (f(x)) 2  (f(x)) 3  x  R , then
(a) g(x) is decreasing whenever ‘f’ is increasing
(b) g(x) is increasing whenever ‘f’ is decreasing
(c) g(x) is decreasing whenever ‘f’ is decreasing
(d) none of these

14. The coordinate of the point on y 2 = 8x which is closest from x 2 + (y+6)2 = 1 is

(a) (2, 4) (b) (18, -12) (c) (2, 4) (d) none of these

15. The values of k for which f(x) = sin x - cos x - kx + b decreases for all real x, is given by
(a) k < 1 (b) k > 1 (c) k > 2 (d) k < 2

ANSWERS

1.c 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. a
6. b 7. b 8. c 9. b 10. a
11. b 12. c 13. c 14. a 15. c
31 Application of Derivatives
LEVEL - II
RS x  1  a, x1
1. Let f(x) =
T 2x  3, x1
. If f(x) has a local minima at x = 1, then

(a) a  5 (b) a > 5 (c) a > 0 (d) none of these

2. Area of the triangle formed by the positive x-axis and the normal and the tangent to x 2 + y2
= 4 at (1, 3 ) is
(a) 2 3 sq. unitss (b) 3 sq. units
s (c) 4 3 sq. unitss (d) none of these

3. Angle formed by the positive y-axis and the tangent to y = x 2+4x-17 at (5/2, -3/4) is
 
(a) tan -1(9) (b) - tan -1(9) (c) + tan -1(9) (d) none of these
2 2

4. Su m o f th e s qua re o f t he int erce pts on th e ax es cut off by th e tange nt to

1 1 1
FG a , a IJ
x 3  y 3  a 3 , a R  at
H 8 8K is 2. Then possible value of a is

(a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 6 (d) 3

5. The number of values of x where the function f(x) = cosx + cos e j

2 x attains its maximum is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) infinite

F 1I
The maximum value of G J
2x 2

6.
H xK is

(a) e (b) e
e (c) 1 (d) none of these

sin 2x LM  OP
7. The greatest value of the function f(x) =
FG  IJ in the interval 0,
N 4 Q is
H
sin 2x 
4 K
1
(a) (b) 2 (c) 1 (d) - 2
2

8. The difference between the greatest and least value of the function f(x) = sin 2x - x on
LM   ,  OP is
N 2 2Q
3 2 3 2  3 
(a) (b)  (c)  (d) none of these
2 2 6 2 3

9. The maximum value of f(x) = |x lnx| x  (0, 1) is

(a) 1/e (b) e (c) 1 (d) none of these

10. The number of critical points of the function f(x) = |x - 1| |x- 2| is

(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) none of these
32 Application of Derivatives


11. Let f(x) = 1+x. sinx. [cosx], 0  x  . Then, [.] denotes the integer function).
2

FG  IJ FG  IJ
(a) f(x) has global maxima in 0,
H 2 K (b) f(x) is decreasing in 0,
H 2 K
FG  IJ
(c) f(x) is increasing in 0,
H 2 K (d) none of these

FG  IJ
12. If f(x) = asecx - b tanx, a > b > 0, x  0 ,
H 2 K then the minimum value of f(x) is

(a) a2  b2 (b) 2 a 2  b 2 (c) a 2  b2 (d) a - b

13. FH
Let f(x) = 2x - tan -1x - ln x  1  x 2 ; x  R , then IK
(a) f(x) is increasing in ( ,  ) (b) f(x) is non-decreasing in ( ,  )
(c) f(x) is decreasing in ( ,  ) (d) f(x) is non-increasing in ( ,  ) .

x FG  IJ
14. H
If f(x) = 1  x tan x ; x  0, 2 , then K
(a) f(x) has exactly one point of maxima (b) f(x) has exactly one point of minima
FG  IJ
(c) f(x) is increasing in 0,
H 2 K (d) none of these

15. Let f(x) = |min(x+1, 3-x)|  x R , then

(a) f(x) possess global maxima in (1, 4) (b) f(x) does not possess global minima in (1, 4)
(c) f(x) has global maxima in (0, 3) (d) f(x) has global maxima in (-2, 1) .

ANSWERS
1. a 2. a 3. b 4. a 5. b
6. b 7. b 8. d 9. a 10. c
11. d 12. c 13. a 14. a 15. c