Curve Tracing

MONOTONIC FUNCTION, CONCAVITY AND POINT OF INFLECTION

 Definition: Increasing, Decreasing and Monotonic Functions

Let f be a function defined on an interval I and let x1 and x2 be any two points in I.

 If f(x1 ) < f(x2 ) whenever x1 < 𝑥2 , then f is said to be increasing on I.

 If f(x1 ) > f(x2 ) whenever x1 < 𝑥2 , then f is said to be decreasing on I.
 A function that is increasing or decreasing on I is called monotonic function on I.

 First derivative test for monotonic functions

Suppose that f is continuous on [a, b] and differentiable on (a, b) .

 If f ′ (x) > 0 at each point x ∈ (a, b), then f is increasing on [a, b].
 If f ′ (x) < 0 at each point x ∈ (a, b), then f is decreasing on [a, b].

 Definition: Concave up(convex), Concave down(concave)

The graph of a differentiable function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is

 Concave up on 𝐼 if f ′ (x) is increasing on 𝐼.

 Concave down on 𝐼 if f ′ (x) is decreasing on 𝐼.

 Second derivative test for concavity

Let 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) be twice- differentiable on an interval 𝐼.

 If 𝑓" (x) > 0 on 𝐼, the graph of f over 𝐼 is concave up (convex).

 If 𝑓" (x) < 0 on 𝐼, the graph of f over 𝐼 is concave down (concave).

 Definition: Point of Inflection

 A point, where the graph of function has a tangent line and where the concavity change, is a
point of inflection.
 If 𝑥 = 𝑎 is point of inflection of function 𝑓(𝑥) then 𝑓 ′′ (𝑎) = 0 and 𝑓 ′′′ (𝑎) ≠ 0.

 Definition: Critical Point

 A point of the domain of a function 𝑓 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑓′ is zero or undefined is a critical point of 𝑓.
 Practice Questions (SET 1):
1) Determine where f(x) = x + sin x is increasing.
Ans: (−∞, ∞)
2) Find the intervals for which the following function are increasing or decreasing:
(a) f(x) = x 3 − 27x Ans: [(−∞, −3) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (3, ∞), (−3, 3 )]
5 5
(b) f(x) = x 2 − 5x + 7 Ans: [(2 , ∞) and (−∞, 2)]

(c) f(x) = x 4 − 3 Ans: [(−∞, 0), (0, ∞)]

(d) f(x) = 2x 3 + 3x 2 − 36x + 12 Ans: [(−∞, −3) and (2, ∞), (−3, 2 )]
3) Find the critical points of f(x) = x 2 − 12x − 5 and identify the interval on which f is
increasing and decreasing.
Ans: [𝑥 = 6, (−∞, 6), (6, ∞) ]
4) Show that x < tan x if 0 < x < 𝜋/2.
1
5) Show that x + x > 2 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 > 1.

6) Determine the interval of convexity, concavity for the function

(a) f(x) = x 3
Ans: [convex or concave up in (0, ∞) and concave or concave down in (−∞, 0)]
(b) f(x) = x 2 − 6x + 7 Ans: [convex]
(c) f(x) = x 4 − 6x 3 + 12 x 2 + 5x + 7 Ans: [(−∞, 1) and (2, ∞), (1, 2)]
(d) f(x) = x 3 − 3x 2 + 1 Ans: [(1, ∞), (−∞, 1)]
7) x3 x2 1
Determine the interval of convexity, concavity for the function f(x) = − − 2x + 3
3 2

Ans:[(1/2, ∞), (−∞, 1/2)]

8) Find the intervals of concavity of f(x) = cosx − 5 on [0,2π].
𝜋 3𝜋 𝜋 3𝜋
Ans:[( 2 , ) , (0, 2 ) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ( 2 , 2𝜋)]
2

9) Determine the concavity of y = 3 + sinx on [0, 2π]. Ans: [(𝜋, 2𝜋), (0, 𝜋)]
10) Determine of concavity of f(x) = x 4 + 2. Ans: [convex]
11) Find the point of inflection on the curves:
(1) f(x) = x 2 − 5x + 6 Ans: [no]
(2) f(x) = (x + 2)3 Ans: [𝑥 = −2]
(3) f(x) = tan x , −π/2 < 𝑥 < 𝜋/2 Ans: [𝑥 = 0]
 1
(4) f(x) = (x + 2)3 Ans: [𝑥 = −2]
12) Find the point of inflection on the curves y = (logx)3 . Ans: [1, 𝑒 2 ]
13) Find critical points of 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 − 14𝑥 2 + 22𝑥 − 5. Also, find the points of inflection.
11 337 7 121
Ans: [𝑐𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑠: (1, 5), ( 3 , − ) , 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: (3 , − )
27 27

 RECALL: Maxima and Minima in One Variable Function(Second derivative test for local extrema)
 Suppose 𝑓” is continuous an open interval that contains 𝑥 = 𝑐.
 If f ′ (c) = 0 and f ” (c) < 0 , then 𝑓 has a local maximum at 𝑥 = 𝑐.
 If f ′ (c) = 0 and f ” (c) > 0 , then 𝑓 has a local minimum at 𝑥 = 𝑐.
 If f ′ (c) = 0 and f " (c) = 0 , then the test fails.

Practice Questions (SET 2):

1) What are the values of a and b b make f(x) = x 3 + ax 2 + bx have a local minimum at x =
4 and point of inflection at x = 1?
Ans:[𝑎 = −3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑏 = −24]
2) Discuss the curve y = x 4 − 4x 3 with respect to concavity, points of inflection and local
minima, maxima.
Ans: [𝑥 = 3 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚, 𝑥 = 0 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑥: (2, ∞) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−∞, 0), 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑎𝑣𝑒: (0, 2)]
3) x3 x2
Determine the interval over which f(x) = − − 2x + 12 is monotonically increasing
3 2

or decreasing. Also find the points of inflection of the function.

Ans:[𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔: (−∞, −1)𝑎𝑛𝑑 (2, ∞), 𝐷𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔: (−1, 2), 𝑝𝑜𝑖𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑓. : 𝑥 = 1/2]
4) Discuss the curve y = x 4 − 4x 3 with respect to concavity, point of inflection and maxima
and minima. Use this information to sketch the curve.
Ans: [𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚: 𝑥 = 3 , 𝑖𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑥 = 0, 2 , 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑥: (2, ∞) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−∞, 0), 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑎𝑣𝑒: (0, 2)]
5) Find the local extreme values of the function 𝑓(𝑥, 𝑦) = 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 − 3𝑥𝑦.
Ans:[𝑓(1, 1) = −1]
6) Find the tangents at the origin to the curve y 2 (a + x) = x 2 (3a − x).
Ans:[𝑦 = ±√3 𝑥]
7) Find the cups for the curve a2 x 2 = y 3 (2a − y). Ans: [origin]
8) For the function f(x) = x 4 − 4x 3 + 10
a. Find the points where local maxima or minima of f occur.
 b. Determine the interval on which f is increasing or decreasing.
c. Find where the graph of y = f(x) is concave up or concave down.
d. Determine the points of inflection of the curve y = f(x).
Ans:[ (𝑎) 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚: 𝑥 = 3 (𝑏) 𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔: (3, ∞) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑑𝑒𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔: (−∞, 0) & (0, 3)
(𝑐) 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑣𝑒𝑥: (2, ∞) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−∞, 0), 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑐𝑎𝑣𝑒: (0, 2) (𝑑) 𝐼𝑛𝑓𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛: 𝑥 = 0, 2 ]
9) DO as directed:
a. Find the point of inflection on the curve f(x) = 2(x − 1)3 Ans: [𝑥 = 1]
b. Find the node of the curve x 3 + y 3 − 3xy = 0 Ans: [origin]
c. The curve r = a(1 + cos θ) is symmetric about……… Ans: [𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑎𝑙 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒(𝜃 = 0)]

CURVE TRACING OF CARTESIAN CURVE

 The general procedure for tracing the algebraic curve (Cartesian) consists of the following
steps to study the characteristics of the curve:
(1) Symmetry Of The Curve
(2) Curve Passes Through Origin And Tangent At The Origin
(3) Special Point On The Curve
a) Double points (node, cusp, and conjugate)
b) Intersection points with X and Y axes
c) Intersection points with 𝑦 = 𝑥 line**
d) Points where tangents are parallel to axes**
e) Maxima and minima**
(4) Nature of the curve
(a) Increasing or decreasing (b) Convex or concave (c) Point of inflection**
(5) Asymptoes
(6) Region of the curve

 SYMMETRY OF CURVE:

Symmetry about Condition

𝑥 axis 𝑦 replace by −𝑦 and equation remain same
𝑦 axis 𝑥 replace by – 𝑥 and equation remain same
Both axes The power of 𝑥, 𝑦 both are even in given equation
𝑦 = 𝑥 line Interchange 𝑥, 𝑦 and equation remain same
Opposite quadrant 𝑥, 𝑦 replace by −𝑥, −𝑦 and equation remain same

 CURVE PASSES THROUGH ORIGIN AND TANGENT AT ORIGIN:

 Origin
 Given equation is satisfied by (0, 0) then the given curve passes through the origin.

 Tangent At Origin
 If the curve passes through the origin, the tangent to the curve at the origin are obtain
by equating to zero the lowest degree terms of the equation.

E.g. 𝑦 2 (𝑎 + 𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (𝑎 − 𝑥)
⇒ 𝑎𝑦 2 + 𝑥𝑦 2 = 𝑎𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3 ⇒ 𝑎𝑦 2 − 𝑎𝑥 2 = −𝑥 3 − 𝑥𝑦 2
The lowest degree term 𝑎𝑦 2 − 𝑎𝑥 2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 = 0 ⇒ 𝑦 = ± 𝑥
 These are tangents at origin of given curve.
 SPECIAL POINTS ON THE CURVE:
(a) Double point:
 A point is called double point if two branches of curve pass through it.
i.e. There are two tangents at that point.
 There are three types of double point.
• Node (The tangents are real and distinct)
• Cusp (The tangents are real and equal)
• Conjugate (Neither node nor cusp)
(b) Intersection points with X and Y axes:
 For find the intersection points with X and Y axes, we have to put 𝑦 = 0 and 𝑥 = 0
respectively in given equation of curve.

(c) Intersection points with 𝑦 = 𝑥 line:

 If we find intersection points with 𝑦 = 𝑥, we have to substitute 𝑦 = 𝑥 in given equation.

(d) Points where tangents are parallel to axes:

𝑑𝑦
 The points, where the tangents are parallel to the x-axis are given by 𝑑𝑥 = 0.
𝑑𝑦
 The points, where the tangents are parallel to y-axis are given by 𝑑𝑥 = ±∞.
E.g. 𝑦 2 (2𝑎 − 𝑥) = 𝑥 3
𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦 3𝑥 2 +𝑦 2
∴ 𝑦 2 (−1) + (2𝑎 − 𝑥)(2𝑦 𝑑𝑥 ) = 3𝑥 2 ⇒ 𝑑𝑥 = 2𝑦(2𝑎−𝑥)
𝑑𝑦
 If we take 𝑥 = 2𝑎 then 𝑑𝑥 = ∞ then 𝑥 = 2𝑎 is tangent parallel to y-axis.
 (e) Maxima and minima: (Second derivative test for local extrema)
 Suppose 𝑓” is continuous an open interval that contains 𝑥 = 𝑐.
 If f ′ (c) = 0 and f ” (c) < 0 , then 𝑓 has a local maximum at 𝑥 = 𝑐.
 If f ′ (c) = 0 and f ” (c) > 0 , then 𝑓 has a local minimum at 𝑥 = 𝑐.
 If f ′ (c) = 0 and f " (c) = 0 , then the test fails.

 Nature of the curve:

(a)Increasing or decreasing (b) Convex or concave (c) Point of inflection** (see method 1 theory)

 Asymptotes
Asymptotes

Parallel Oblique

Parallel to x axis: Parallel to y axis: Neither horizontal nor vertical:

Equate to zero the coefficient of Equate to zero the coefficient of • substitute 𝒚=𝒎𝒙+𝒄 in
the highest degree terms in x. the highest degree terms in y. given equation and
simplify the equation.
• Equate the coefficient of
highest power of x, next
highest power of x with
zero, and so on.
• Solve the equations for m
and c.

Ques: Find the asymptotes of 𝑦 2 (𝑎 + 𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (3𝑎 − 𝑥).

Here 𝑦 2 𝑎 + 𝑥𝑦 2 = 3𝑎𝑥 2 − 𝑥 3
∴ 𝑦 2 𝑎 + 𝑥𝑦 2 − 3𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 = 0 ⇒ 𝑦 2 (a + x) − 3𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑥 3 = 0
 The coefficient of highest power of y equate to 0. So, 𝑎 + 𝑥 = 0 and then 𝑥 = −𝑎
So, 𝑥 = −𝑎 is the asymptote parallel to y axis of given curve.

Ques: Find the asymptotes of 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 = 3𝑎𝑥𝑦.

Here 𝑥 3 + (𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐)3 = 3𝑎𝑥(𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐) {using 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐}

∴ 𝑥 + 𝑚 𝑥 + 3𝑚 𝑥 𝑐 + 3𝑚𝑐 𝑥 + 𝑐 = 3𝑎𝑚𝑥 2 + 3𝑎𝑐𝑥
3 3 3 2 2 2 3

∴ (1 + 𝑚3 )𝑥 3 + (3𝑚2 𝑐 − 3𝑎𝑚)𝑥 2 + (3𝑚𝑐 2 − 3𝑎𝑐)𝑥 + 𝑐 3 = 0

 Equate the coefficient of highest power of x, next highest power of x with zero, and so on.
∴ 1 + 𝑚3 = 0 And 3𝑚2 𝑐 − 3𝑎𝑚 = 0 ⇒ 𝑚 = −1 and 𝑐 = −𝑎
∴ 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 ⇒ 𝑦 = −𝑥 − 𝑎 ⇒ 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑎 = 0 is asymptotes of given curve.
 Region:
If it is possible to express the equation as 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) and if 𝑦 becomes imaginary or infinite
for some value of 𝑥 > 𝑎, then no part of the curve exists beyond 𝑥 = 𝑎.
𝑎−𝑥
E.g. 𝑥𝑦 2 = 4𝑎2 (𝑎 − 𝑥) it means 𝑦 = 2𝑎√ 𝑥

Then y becomes infinite at 𝑥 = 0 and imaginary at 𝑥 = 𝑎.So, no part of given curve exists
beyond 𝑥 = 𝑎 and 𝑥 = 0.

Similarly if it is possible to express the equation as 𝑥 = 𝑓(𝑦) and if x becomes imaginary or

infinite for some value of 𝑦 > 𝑏, then no part of the curve exists beyond 𝑦 = 𝑏.

Practice Questions (SET 3):

1) Classify the double points of curve
(𝑎) 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 (𝑏) 𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦 (𝑐) 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑐 2 (𝑑) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
(𝑒) 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 = 3𝑎𝑥𝑦 (𝑓) 𝑦 2 (𝑎 − 𝑥) = 𝑥 3 (𝑔) 𝑦 2 (𝑎 + 𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (3𝑎 − 𝑥)
1
(ℎ) 𝑦 = 𝑥 + (𝑖) 9𝑎𝑦 2 = 𝑥(𝑥 − 3𝑎)2 (j) 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2𝑦 − 5𝑥𝑦 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 5 = 0
𝑥

2) Check the symmetry of following curve

(𝑎) 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 (𝑏) 𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦 (𝑐) 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑐 2 (𝑑) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
(𝑒) 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 = 3𝑎𝑥𝑦 (𝑓) 𝑦 2 (𝑎 − 𝑥) = 𝑥 3 (𝑔) 𝑦 2 (𝑎 + 𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (3𝑎 − 𝑥)
1
(ℎ) 𝑦 = 𝑥 + (𝑖) 9𝑎𝑦 2 = 𝑥(𝑥 − 3𝑎)2 (j) 𝑦 2 (𝑎2 − 𝑥 2 ) = 𝑥 2 (𝑎2 + 𝑥 2 ) (June 2015)
𝑥

3) Find the asymptotes of curve

(𝑎) 𝑦 2 = 4𝑎𝑥 (𝑏) 𝑥 2 = 4𝑎𝑦 (𝑐) 𝑥𝑦 = 𝑐 2 (𝑑) 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2
(𝑒) 𝑥 3 + 𝑦 3 = 3𝑎𝑥𝑦 (𝑓) 𝑦 2 (𝑎 − 𝑥) = 𝑥 3 (𝑔) 𝑦 2 (𝑎 + 𝑥) = 𝑥 2 (3𝑎 − 𝑥)
1
(ℎ) 𝑦 = 𝑥 + (𝑖) 9𝑎𝑦 2 = 𝑥(𝑥 − 3𝑎)2 (j) (𝑥 2 − 4)(𝑦 2 − 9) = 36 (June 2015)
𝑥

4) Sketch 9ay 2 = x(x − 3a)2 .

5) Sketch y 2 (a − x) = x 3 .
6) Trace the curve y 2 (2a − x) = x 3 . Also draw the rough sketch.
7) Trace the curve y 2 (a + x) = x 2 (a − x).

8) Trace the curve y 2 (a − x) = x 2 (a + x).

9) Sketch y = x + 1/x

10) Trace the witch of agnessi xy 2 = 4a2 (a − x).

11) Trace the curve x 3 + y 3 = 3axy.

 12) Sketch y = |x 2 − 1|.

13) 𝑥 2 𝑦 2 = 𝑎2 (𝑦 2 − 𝑥 2 )

CURVE TRACING OF POLAR COORDINATE

𝑥 𝑦
Here 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 = 𝑟 and 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃 = i.e. 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 And 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃
𝑟

Further, note that 𝑟 = √𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2

 Symmetry of Polar Curves

Symmetry about Condition

Initial line (𝑥 axis) (𝜃 = 0) 𝜃 replace by −𝜃 and equation remain same

𝜋
𝜃= 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 (𝑦 axis) 𝜃, 𝑟 replace by – 𝜃, −𝑟 and equation remain same
2

Pole (0,0) (origin) 𝑟 replace by −𝑟 and equation remain same

𝜋 𝜋
𝜃= 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 (𝑦 = 𝑥 line) 𝜃 replace by 2 − 𝜃 and equation remain same
4

3𝜋 3𝜋
𝜃= 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒 (𝑦 = −𝑥 line) 𝜃 replace by − 𝜃 and equation remain same
4 2

4 DO AS DIRECT

1) What is the relation between Polar and Cartesian co-ordinate system?

 𝑥 = 𝑟 𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃 And 𝑦 = 𝑟 𝑠𝑖𝑛𝜃

What curve is represented by the polar equation r = 1?

2) Dec 2011
𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟(0,0), 𝑟 = 1(𝑐𝑖𝑟𝑐𝑙𝑒)

Sketch the polar curve θ = 1.

3) Dec 2011

𝜋 −5𝜋
4) Sketch the polar curve 𝜃 = 6 , 𝜃 = , 𝜃 = 2.
6

Find the polar equation of

5) (1)(x − 3)2 + y 2 = 9, (2)x 2 + y 2 = a2 , (3)(x − 2)2 + y 2 = 4.

(1)𝑟 = 0 & 𝑟 = 6𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃, (2) 𝑟 = ±𝑎, (3) 𝑟 = 0 & 𝑟 = 4𝑐𝑜𝑠𝜃

Replace the following polar equation by equivalent Cartesian equation

4 π
(1) rcosθ = −4 (2) r 2 = 4rcosθ (3) r = (4) θ =
6) 2cosθ−sinθ 4
𝜋
𝑥 = −4, (𝑥 − 2)2 + 𝑦 2 = 4, 2𝑥 − 𝑦 = 4, 𝜃 =
4

7) Trace the curve r 2 = a2 cos2θ. June2015

8) Trace the curver = a(1 + cosθ); a > 0.

9) Trace the curver = a sin 3θ. June 2014

10) Trace the curver = asin 2θ.

Graph the set of points whose polar coordinates satisfy the conditions 1 ≤ r ≤ 2 and 0 ≤
11) π
θ ≤ 2.