Differentiation

Differentiation : Modelling & Stationary Points - Edexcel Past Exam Questions

1.

2x metres

y metres

Figure 3

Figure 3 shows the plan of a stage in the shape of a rectangle joined to a semicircle. The length of
the rectangular part is 2x metres and the width is y metres. The diameter of the semicircular part
is 2x metres. The perimeter of the stage is 80 m.

(a) Show that the area, A m2, of the stage is given by

æ pö
A = 80x – ç 2 + ÷ x2.
è 2ø
(4)

(b) Use calculus to find the value of x at which A has a stationary value. (4)

(c) Prove that the value of x you found in part (b) gives the maximum value of A. (2)

(d) Calculate, to the nearest m2, the maximum area of the stage. (2)

Jan 05 Q9

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 Differentiation

2. Find the coordinates of the stationary point on the curve with equation y = 2x2 – 12x. (4)

June 05 Q1

3. The curve C has equation

y = 2x3 – 5x2 – 4x + 2.

dy
(a) Find . (2)
dx

(b) Using the result from part (a), find the coordinates of the turning points of C. (4)

d2 y
(c) Find . (2)
dx 2

(d) Hence, or otherwise, determine the nature of the turning points of C. (2)

Jan 06 Q7

4. A diesel lorry is driven from Birmingham to Bury at a steady speed of v kilometres per hour. The
total cost of the journey, £C, is given by

1400 2v
C= + .
v 7

(a) Find the value of v for which C is a minimum (5)

d 2C
(b) Find and hence verify that C is a minimum for this value of v. (2)
dv 2

(c) Calculate the minimum total cost of the journey. (2)

Jan 07 Q8

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 Differentiation

5.

2x cm

x cm
y cm

Figure 4

Figure 4 shows a solid brick in the shape of a cuboid measuring 2x cm by x cm by y cm.

The total surface area of the brick is 600 cm2.

(a) Show that the volume, V cm3, of the brick is given by

4x 3
V = 200x – .
3
(4)

Given that x can vary,

(b) use calculus to find the maximum value of V, giving your answer to the nearest cm3. (5)

(c) Justify that the value of V you have found is a maximum. (2)

June 07 Q10

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 Differentiation

6.

Figure 4
x y

Figure 4 shows an open-topped water tank, in the shape of a cuboid, which is made of sheet
metal. The base of the tank is a rectangle x metres by y metres. The height of the tank is x metres.

The capacity of the tank is 100 m3.

(a) Show that the area A m2 of the sheet metal used to make the tank is given by

300
A= + 2x2. (4)
x
(b) Use calculus to find the value of x for which A is stationary.
(4)
(c) Prove that this value of x gives a minimum value of A.
(2)
(d) Calculate the minimum area of sheet metal needed to make the tank. (2)

Jan 08 Q9

7. A solid right circular cylinder has radius r cm and height h cm.

The total surface area of the cylinder is 800 cm2 .

(a) Show that the volume, V cm3 , of the cylinder is given by

V = 400r – πr3.
(4)

Given that r varies,

(b) use calculus to find the maximum value of V, to the nearest cm3. (6)

(c) Justify that the value of V you have found is a maximum. (2)
Jan 09 Q10

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 Differentiation

3
8. The curve C has equation y = 12Ö(x) – x – 10, x > 0.
2

(a) Use calculus to find the coordinates of the turning point on C. (7)

d2 y
(b) Find . (2)
dx 2

(c) State the nature of the turning point. (1)

9. y = x2 − k√x, where k is a constant.

dy
(a) Find . (2)
dx

(b) Given that y is decreasing at x = 4 , find the set of possible values of k. (2)
June 10 Q3

10.

Figure 2

Figure 2 shows a sketch of part of the curve C with equation

y = x3 − 10x2 + kx,

where k is a constant.

The point P on C is the maximum turning point.

Given that the x-coordinate of P is 2,

(a) show that k = 28 . (3)

June 10 Q8
12.

Figure 2

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.

(a) Show that the total length, L cm, of the twelve edges of the cuboid is given by

162
L = 12x + . (3)
x2

(b) Use calculus to find the minimum value of L. (6)

(c) Justify, by further differentiation, that the value of L that you have found is a minimum. (2)

June 11 Q8