KS5 "Full Coverage": Differentiation (Year 1)

This worksheet is designed to cover one question of each type seen in past papers, for each A
Level topic. This worksheet was automatically generated by the DrFrostMaths Homework
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Question 1
Categorisation: Determine the gradient of a curve at a particular point.

[Edexcel AS SAM P1 Q2]

The curve 𝐶 has equation

𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 16

Find the gradient of the curve at the point 𝑃(5,6) .

(Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)

Gradient = ..........................

(4 marks)

Question 2
Categorisation: Find the gradient at key points on the graph, e.g. roots.

[Edexcel C1 Jan 2012 Q8c] The curve 𝐶1 has equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 (𝑥 + 2) .

Find the gradient of 𝐶1 at each point where 𝐶1 meets the 𝑥 -axis.

𝑚1 = ..........................

𝑚2 = ..........................

(2 marks)

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Question 3
Categorisation: Find the gradient function where the expression involves roots.

[Edexcel A2 June 2018 P1 Q2ai]

A curve 𝐶 has equation

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 24√𝑥 , 𝑥 > 0
𝑑𝑦
Find 𝑑𝑥

𝑑𝑦
= ..........................
𝑑𝑥

(2 marks)

Question 4
Categorisation: Find the gradient function where the expression involves reciprocal
terms.[Edexcel FP1 June 2011 Q4a]
5
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + − 3𝑥 − 1 , 𝑥 ≠ 0
2𝑥

Use differentiation to find 𝑓′(𝑥) .

𝑓′(𝑥) = ..........................

(2 marks)

Question 5
Categorisation: Reciprocal root terms.

[OCR C1 June 2010 Q6]

6
Find the gradient of the curve 𝑦 = 2𝑥 + at the point where 𝑥 = 4 .
√𝑥

..........................

(5 marks)

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Question 6
Categorisation: Differentiate where prior expansion is required.

[OCR C1 June 2017 Q3] It is given that 𝑓(𝑥) = (3 + 𝑥 2 )(√𝑥 − 7𝑥)

Find 𝑓′(𝑥) .

𝑓′(𝑥) = ..........................

(5 marks)

Question 7
Categorisation: Differentiate by first principles.

[Edexcel AS June 2018 P1 Q10 Edited]

Prove, from first principles, that the derivative of 𝑥 3 is 3𝑥 2 .

𝑓(𝑥+ℎ)−𝑓(𝑥)
Given formula: 𝑓′(𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚 ℎ 𝑡𝑜 0
ℎ

..........................

(4 marks)

Question 8
Categorisation: Differentiate by first principles when there are multiple terms.

[Edexcel A2 Specimen Papers P1 Q9] The curve 𝐶 has equation

𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 + 5

The curve 𝐶 passes through the point 𝑃(1,7). Use differentiation from first principles to find
the value of the gradient of the tangent to 𝐶 at 𝑃 .

𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= ..........................

(5 marks)

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Question 9
Categorisation: Determine the range of values for a quadratic function for which the
function is increasing or decreasing.

[OCR C1 June 2013 Q9ii]

Find the set of values of 𝑥 for which 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 is a decreasing function.

..........................

(3 marks)

Question 10
Categorisation: As above, but for a cubic function.

[Edexcel AS Specimen Papers P1 Q1b] A curve has equation

𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 8

Find the range of values of 𝑥 for which 𝑦 is increasing.

Write your answer in set notation.

..........................

(4 marks)

Question 11
Categorisation: Increasing/decreasing functions involving awkward powers.

[Edexcel C2 June 2010 Q3b Edited] 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 𝑘√𝑥 , where 𝑘 is a constant.

𝑑𝑦 1 1
= 2𝑥 − 𝑘𝑥 −2
𝑑𝑥 2

Given that 𝑦 is decreasing at 𝑥 = 4 , find the set of possible values of 𝑘 .

..........................

(2 marks)

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Question 12
Categorisation: Determine the stationary point(s) of a function.

[Edexcel C2 May 2013(R) Q1]

Using calculus, find the coordinates of the stationary point on the curve with equation

8
𝑦 = 2𝑥 + 3 + ,𝑥 > 0
𝑥2

..........................

(6 marks)

Question 13
Categorisation: As above.

[Edexcel C2 June 2018 Q9a]

Figure 3 shows a sketch of part of the curve with equation

𝑦 = 7𝑥 2 (5 − 2√𝑥) , 𝑥≥0

The curve has a turning point at the point 𝐴 , where 𝑥 > 0 , as shown in Figure 3. Using
calculus, find the coordinates of the point 𝐴 .

..........................

(5 marks)

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Question 14
Categorisation: Determine a turning point where the function involves fractional
powers.

[Edexcel C2 Jan 2010 Q9a]

3
The curve C has equation 𝑦 = 12√𝑥 − 𝑥 2 − 10 , 𝑥 > 0 .
Use calculus to find the coordinates of the turning point on C.

..........................

(7 marks)

Question 15
Categorisation: Stationary points in a modelling context.

[Edexcel AS June 2018 P1 Q8a]

A lorry is driven between London and Newcastle.

In a simple model, the cost of the journey £𝐶 when the lorry is driven at a steady speed of 𝑣
kilometres per hour is

1500 2𝑣
𝐶= + + 60
𝑣 11

Find, according to this model, the value of 𝑣 that minimises the cost of the journey, and the
minimum cost of the journey.

(Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)

𝑣 = .......................... km h −1

Minimum cost: £ ..........................

(6 marks)

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Question 16
Categorisation: Stationary values in a geometric context.

[Edexcel AS SAM P1 Q16c Edited]

Figure 4 shows the plan view of the design for a swimming pool. The shape of this pool
𝐴𝐵𝐶𝐷𝐸𝐴 consists of a rectangular section 𝐴𝐵𝐷𝐸 joined to a semicircular section 𝐵𝐶𝐷 as
shown in Figure 4.

𝐴𝐸 = 2𝑥 metres, 𝐸𝐷 = 𝑦 metres and the area of the pool is 250 m 2 , and the perimeter, 𝑃
metres, of the pool is given by

250 𝜋𝑥
𝑃 = 2𝑥 + +
𝑥 2

Find the minimum perimeter of the pool, giving your answer to 3 significant figures.

𝑃 = .......................... m

(4 marks)

Question 17
Categorisation: Determine the second derivative.

[Edexcel A2 June 2018 P1 Q2aii] A curve 𝐶 has equation

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 24√𝑥 , 𝑥 > 0
𝑑2 𝑦
Find 𝑑𝑥 2

𝑑2 𝑦
𝑑𝑥 2
= ..........................

(1 mark)

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Question 18
Categorisation: Determine the 𝒏th term in an arithmetic sequence.

[Edexcel C2 Jan 2010 Q9c Edited]

3
The curve C has equation 𝑦 = 12√𝑥 − 𝑥 2 − 10 , 𝑥 > 0 .

The curve C has a turning point at (4,6) .

3 1
𝑑2 𝑦 3
Given that 𝑑𝑥 2 = −3𝑥 −2 − 4 𝑥 −2

State the nature of the turning point.

..........................

(1 mark)

Question 19
Categorisation: Determine the equation of a tangent.

[Edexcel C1 Jan 2013 Q11b Edited]

The curve 𝐶 has equation

𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 8√𝑥 + 5 , 𝑥 ≥ 0
𝑑𝑦 4
and hence 𝑑𝑥 = 2 − .
√𝑥

1
The point 𝑃 on 𝐶 has 𝑥 -coordinate equal to 4 . Find the equation of the tangent to 𝐶 at the
point 𝑃 , giving your answer in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 , where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are constants.

..........................

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Question 20
Categorisation: Determine the equation of the normal and use to make geometric
calculations.

[Edexcel AS June 2018 P1 Q15 Edited]

Figure 4 shows a sketch of part of the curve 𝐶 with equation

32
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 8 , 𝑥>0

The point 𝑃(4,6) lies on 𝐶 .

The line 𝑙 is the normal to 𝐶 at the point 𝑃 .

The region 𝑅 , shown shaded in Figure 4, is bounded by the line 𝑙 , the curve 𝐶 , the line with
equation 𝑥 = 2 and the 𝑥 -axis.

Find the area of 𝑅 .

(Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)

Area = .......................... unit 2

(10 marks)

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Question 21
Categorisation: Equation of the tangent where the gradient function is already
given.

[Edexcel C1 May 2017 Q7a]

The curve C has equation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) , 𝑥 > 0 , where

6 − 5𝑥 2
𝑓′(𝑥) = 30 +
√𝑥

Given that the point 𝑃(4, −8) lies on C, find the equation of the tangent to C at 𝑃 , giving
your answer in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 , where 𝑚 and 𝑐 are constants.

..........................

(4 marks)

Question 22
Categorisation: Determine the point for which a particular gradient for the normal
or tangent is achieved.

[Edexcel C1 May 2015 Q10b Edited]

A curve 𝑃 has the gradient function

3√𝑥 9
𝑓(𝑥) = − +2
2 4√𝑥

where 𝑥 > 0 .

Point 𝑃 lies on the curve. The normal to the curve at 𝑃 is parallel to the line 2𝑦 + 𝑥 = 0 .

Find the 𝑥 -coordinate of 𝑃 .

𝑥 = ..........................

(5 marks)

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Question 23
Categorisation: Draw/identify a sketch of a gradient function where the original
function is given only in sketch form.

The curve with equation 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) is drawn below.

Which of the graph below is a sketch the gradient function of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) ?

[ ]A [ ]B

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Question 24
Categorisation: Use the second derivative to determine the nature of a stationary
point.

[Edexcel C2 May 2011 Q8c Edited]

A cuboid has a rectangular cross-section where the length of the rectangle is equal to twice its
width, 𝑥 cm, as shown in Figure 2.

The volume of the cuboid is 81 cubic centimetres.

The total length, 𝐿 cm, of the twelve edges of the cuboid is given by

162
𝐿 = 12𝑥 +
𝑥2

The minimum value of 𝐿 is 54 cm when 𝑥 = 3 .

Justify that the value of 𝐿 is a minimum.

(2 marks)

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Answers

Question 1
Gradient = 8

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5
13
8

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Question 6
1 3
3 5
𝑓(𝑥) = 2 𝑥 −2 − 21 + 2 𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 2

Question 7
3𝑥 2 ℎ + 3𝑥ℎ2 + ℎ3

Question 8
𝑑𝑦
𝑑𝑥
= 6

Question 9
1
𝑥<
4

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Question 10

Question 11

Question 12

Question 13

Question 14
(4,6)

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Question 15

Question 16

Question 17

Question 18

Question 19
𝑦 = −6𝑥 + 3

Question 20
Area = 46 unit 2

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Question 21
𝑦 = −7𝑥 + 20

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Question 22
𝑥 = 1.5

Question 23
A

Question 24
𝑑2 𝐿
When 𝑥 = 3 , 𝑑𝑥 2
= 12

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