CHAPTER 6

Application of Derivatives
Rate of Change, Increasing and Decreasing Functions and
Approximations
¾ f is strictly increasing if
dy
• Rate of Change of Bodies representing as a x1 < x2,
dx ⇒ f(x1) < f(x2).
rate measure: Example:
Let us take two variables x and y that vary with Y
respect to another variable says, i.e. if x = f(s) and
y = g(s), then by applying the parametric rule, we
have
dy
dy ds dx X′ X
O
= , if ≠ 0.
dx dx ds
Y′
ds ¾ f is strictly decreasing if x1 < x2, ⇒ f(x1) > f(x2).
Thus, the rate of change of y with respect to x can Example:
be calculated using the rate of change of y and that Y
of x both with respect to s.
• Increasing and decreasing functions
¾ A function is said to be increasing when the y
value increases as the x value increases.
Example: X′ X
Y
O

Y′
¾ Let f be continuous on [a, b] and differentiable
on the open interval (a, b). Then:
X′ X f is increasing in [a, b] if f ′(x) > 0 for each x ∈ (a, b)
f is decreasing in [a, b] if f ′(x) < 0 for each x ∈ (a, b)
Y′
¾ A function is said to be increasing when the y f is a constant function in [a, b] if f ′(x) = 0 for
value decreases as the x value increases. each x ∈ (a, b)
Example: • Approximations
Y ¾ Let the given function be y = f(x) . Δx denotes a
small increment in x.
¾ The corresponding increment in y is given by
Δy = f(x + Δx) – f(x)

X′ X ⎛ dy ⎞
O ¾ Differential of y, denoted by dy is dy = ⎜ ⎟ Δx
⎝ dx ⎠
Y′
 mN(x – x1), where mN is the slope of the normal
−1
such that mN =
⎡ dy ⎤
⎢ dx ⎥
B(x + Δ x , y + Δ y) ⎣ ⎦ ( x1 , y1 )
• Tangent and normal are perpendicular to each
Δy
A(x, y) dy other, which gives us mT × mN = – 1
dx = Δ x • If the slope of two different curves are m1 and m2,
then the acute angle between them is given by
m2 − m1
tan θ =
1 + m1 .m2
• The slope intercept form of the line is y = mx + c,
Tangents and Normals where m is the slope of the given line.
• A tangent line is defined as a straight line that
touches the given function at only one point and it Maxima and Minima
represents the instantaneous rate of change of
function at the point. Maxima and Minima
• A normal line to a point (x, y) on a curve is the line • The maximum value attained by a function is called
that goes through the point (x, y) and is maxima and the minimum value attained by the
perpendicular to the tangent line. function is known as minima.
nor

• Consider y = f(x) be a well-defined function on an

m

interval I, then
al li

tA ¾ f is said to have a maximum value in I, if there

n ea
t li exist a point c in I such that f(c) > f(x), ∀x ∈ I.
n

g en
e at

ta n The value corresponding to f(c) is called as

A
A

maximum value of x in I and the point c is the

maximum value.
¾ f is said to have a minimum value in I, if there
exist a point c in I such that f(c) < f(x), ∀x ∈ I.
The value corresponding to f(c) is called as
• Slope or gradient of a line: If a line makes an angle minimum value of x in I and the point c is the
θ with the positive direction of X axis in anti- minimum value.
clockwise direction, then tan θ is called the slope ¾ f is said to have an extreme value in I, if there
or gradient of the line. exist a point c in I such that f(c) is either
• If a tangent line to the curve y = f(x) makes an a maximum value or a minimum value. The value
angle θ with x-axis in the positive direction, then corresponding to f(c) is called as extreme value of
dy x in I and the point c is the extreme point.
slope of the tangent = tan θ = • Let f be a function defined on an open interval I.
dx
• If slope of the tangent line is zero, then tan θ = 0 Suppose c ? I be any point. If f has a local maxima
and so θ = 0 which means the tangent line is parallel or a local minima at x = c, then either f ′(c) = 0 or f
to the x-axis. In this case, the equation of the is not differentiable at c.
tangent at the point is given by (y = y0) First Derivative Test
π Let f be a function defined on an open interval I.
• If θ → then tan θ → ∞, which means the tangent
2 Let f be continuous at a critical point c in I. Then
line is perpendicular to the x-axis, i.e., parallel to • If f ′(x) changes sign from positive to negative
the y-axis. In this case, the equation of the tangent as x increases through c, i.e., if f′(x) > 0 at
at (x0, y0) is given by (x = x0) every point sufficiently close to and to the left
• Equation of tangent at (x1, y1) is given by (y – y1) of c, and f ′(x) < 0at every point sufficiently close
= mT(x – x1), where mT is the slope of the tangent to and to the right of c, then c is a point of local
maxima.
⎡ dy ⎤
such that mN = ⎢ ⎥ • If f ′(x) changes sign from negative to positive
⎣ dx ⎦ ( x1 , y1 ) as x increases through c, i.e., if f ′(x) < 0 at every
• Equation of normal at (x1, y1) is given by (y – y1) = point sufficiently close to and to the left of c,
 and f ′(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to Let f be a continuous function on an interval
and to the right of c, then c is a point of local I = [a, b]. Then f has the absolute maximum value
minima. and f attains it at least once in I. Also, f has the
• If f ′(x) does not change sign as x increases through absolute minimum value and attains it at least once
c, then c is neither a point of local maxima nor a in I.
point of local minima. In fact, such a point is called Let f be a differentiable function on a closed interval
point of inflection. I and let c be any interior point of I. Then
point of
¾ f ′(c) = 0 if f attains its absolute maximum value
local maxima
Y point of non differentiability at c.
f′(c1)=0 and point of local maxima
)>
0 ¾ f ′(c) = 0 if f attains its absolute minimum value
f′ (

x
f′ (
x)

at c.
=0
<0

c2 )

point of non
In view of the above results, we have the following
f′(

differentiability and
x)>

point of local minima working rule for finding absolute maximum and/
f′(

X′ X or absolute minimum values of a function in a given

O C1 C2 C3 C4
point
closed interval [a, b].
Y′
of local • Working Rule
minima
¾ Find all critical points of f in the interval, i.e.,
Second Derivative Test find points x where either f ′(x) = 0 or f is not
Let f be a function defined on an interval I and c ∈ I. differentiable.
Let f be twice differentiable at c. Then ¾ Take the end points of the interval.
• x = c is a point of local maxima if f ′(c) = 0 and ¾ At all these points (listed in Step 1 and 2),
f ″(c) < 0. The value f (c) is local maximum value of f. calculate the values of f
• x = c is a point of local minima if f ′(c) = 0 and f ″(c) > 0 ¾ Identify the maximum and minimum values of f
In this case, f (c) is local minimum value of f. out of the values calculated in
• The test fails if f ′(c) = 0 and f ″(c) = 0. In this case, ¾ This maximum value will be the absolute
we go back to the first derivative test and find maximum (greatest) value off and the minimum
whether c is a point of local maxima, local minima value will be the absolute minimum (least) value
or a point of inflexion. of f.
• Maximum and Minimum values of a function
in a closed interval
 Exercise
1. f(x) = x9 + 3x7 + 6 is increasing for 10. If y = a log x + bx2 + x has its extremum values at
(a) all positive real value of x x = –1 and x = 2, then
(b) all negative real values of x 1
(a) a = − ,b=2 (b) a = 2, b = –1
(c) all non-zero real values of x 2
(d) None of these 1 1
(c) a = 2, b = − (d) a = –2, b = −
2. If f(x) = kx3 – 9x2 + 9x + 3 is increasing for every 2 2
real number, then 11. The minimum value of f(x) = |x + 2| is
(a) K < 3 (b) K ≤ 3 (a) –2 (b) 2
(c) K > 3 (d) K ≥ 3 (c) 0 (d) None
x 12. The points of maxima of f(x) = cosx are given by
3. For 0 < x < 1, the function f(x) = , is
sin x (a) x = nπ (b) x = 2nπ
(a) increasing
1
(b) decreasing (c) x = nπ (d) x = (2n + 1)π
2
(c) sometimes increasing and sometimes
decreasing 13. f(x) = tan x has

(d) None of these (a) no point of maxima

4. The function f(x) = tanx – x (b) no point of minima
(a) always decreases (c) neither point of maxima nor point of minima
(b) never decreases (d) None of these
(c) sometimes increases and sometimes decreases x −1
14. The least and greatest values of f(x) = in
(d) None of these x +1
[0, 4] are
5. If f(x) = a sin x + 2cos x is increasing for all values 3 3
sin x + cos x (a) ,1 (b) −1,
5 5
of x, then
−3
(a) a < 1 (b) a < 2 (c) −1, (d) None
5
(c) a > 1 (d) a > 2
15. The maximum value of f(x) = (x – 2) (x – 3)2 is
6. The value of k for which f(x) = sin x – kx is
decreasing for all x ∈ R, is 4
(a) 0 (b)
(a) K < 1 (b) K > 1 27
(c) K ≤ 1 (d) K ≥ 1 7
(c) (d) 3
7. f(x) = sin x is increasing in 3
⎤π ⎡ ⎤ 3π ⎡ 16. The least value of f(x) = ex + e–x, is
(c) ⎥ , π ⎢ (b) ⎥ π, ⎢
⎦2 ⎣ ⎦ 2⎣ (a) –2 (b) 0
(c) ]0 , π[ (d) None of these (c) 2 (d) None of these
17. The maximum area of a rectangle of perimeter
8. f ( x ) = 2x increasing in
log x 176 cm, is
(a) ]0,1[ (b) ]1, e[ (a) 1854 cm2 (b) 1936 cm2
(c) ]e, ∞[ (d) ]–∞, e[ (c) 2110 cm2 (d) None of these
9. If x > 0 and x + y = 18, the maximum value of xy 18. The sum of two positive numbers is 12. If their
is product is minimum, then the numbers are
(a) 144 (b) 81 (a) 8, 4 (b) 6, 6
(c) 80 (d) 77 (c) 7, 5 (d) None of these
19. If x = t2 and y = 2t, then equation of the normal at 20. The equation of tangent to the curve y = 2 cos x
t = 1 is π
at x = is
(a) x + y – 3 = 0 4
(b) x + y –1 = 0 ⎛ π⎞ ⎛ π⎞
(a) y − 2 = 2 2 ⎜ x − ⎟ (b) y + 2 = 2 ⎜⎝ x + ⎟⎠
(c) x + y +1 = 0 ⎝ 4 ⎠ 4
(d) x + y + 3 = 0 ⎛ π⎞ ⎛ π⎞
(c) y − 2 = − 2 ⎜ x − ⎟ (d) y − 2 = 2 ⎜ x − ⎟
⎝ 4⎠ ⎝ 4⎠

Answer Keys
1. (c) 2. (c) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (d) 6. (b) 7. (d) 8. (c) 9. (b) 10. (c)

11. (c) 12. (b) 13. (c) 14. (d) 15. (b) 16. (c) 17. (b) 18. (b) 19. (a) 20. (c)

Solutions
1. f(x) = x9 + 3x7 + 6 a sin x + 2cos x
5. f ( x ) =
⇒ f′(x) = 9x8 + 21x6 sin x + cos x
Clearly, f′ (x) > 0 for all non- zero real values of x.
⇒ f ′ ( x) =
( a − 2)
∴ f(x) is increasing for all non-zero real values
of x.
( sin x + cos x )2
⇒ f′(x) > 0 ⇒ a – 2 > 0 ⇒ a > 2
2. f(x) = kx3 – 9x2 + 9x + 3
6. f(x) = sinx – kx
⇒ f′ (x) = 3kx2 – 18x + 9
⇒ f′(x) = cos x – k
= 3 (kx2 – 6x + 3)
∴ f(x) is decreasing
This is positive when k is positive and
⇒ f′(x) < 0
36 – 12k < 0
⇒ cos x – k < 0
36 ⇒ cos x < k
i.e. k >
12
⇒ k > 1 [ cos x ≤ 1]
∴ k>3 7. f(x) = sin x
x ⎤ π π⎡
3. f(x) = ⇒ f ′ ( x ) = cos x > 0 in ⎥ − , ⎢
sin x ⎦ 2 2⎣

sin x − x cos x cos x ( tan x − x ) ⎤ π π⎡

f ′ ( x) = = ∴ f(x) is increasing in ⎥ − , ⎢
⎦ 2 2⎣
sin 2 x sin 2 x
2x
0 < x < 1 ⇒ tan x > x and cos x > 0 8. f ( x ) =
log x
⇒ (tan x – x) > 0 and cos x > 0
1
∴ f′(x) > 0 ( log x ) .2 − 2x.
⇒ f ′ ( x) = x = 2 ( log x − 1)
Hence, f(x) is increasing.
( log x)2 ( log x)2
4. f(x) = tan x – x
⇒ f′(x) > 0 ⇒ log x – 1 > 0
⇒ f ′ ( x ) = sec 2 x − 1 ⇒ logx > 1
⇒ f′(x) ≥ 0 for all x. ⇒ x>e
∴ f(x) never decrease. ∴ f(x) is increasing in ]e, ∞[
 9. x + y = 18 ⇒ y = 18 – x = (x – 3) (3x – 7)
Let M = xy = x(18 – x) and f′′(x) = 3 (x – 3) + (3x – 7) = (6x – 16)

dM d2M f′(x) = 0 ⇒ (x – 3) (3x – 7) = 0

⇒ = (18 − 2x ) & = −2
dx dx 2 7
∴x = 3 or x =
dM 18 3
= 0 ⇒ 18 − 2x = 0 ⇒ x = =9
dx 2 f′′ (3) = (18 – 16) = 2 > 0

d2 M ⎛7⎞ ⎛ 7 ⎞
Also, <0 f ′′ ⎜ ⎟ = ⎜ 6 × − 16 ⎟ = −2 < 0
dx2 ⎝ ⎠ ⎝
3 3 ⎠
∴ x = 9 is a point of maxima.
Maximum value of M = 9 × (18 – 9) = 81 7
∴x = is a point of maxima.
10. y = alogx + bx2 + x 3

dy a
⇒ = + 2bx + 1 ⎛7 ⎞ ⎛7 ⎞ 4
2
dx x Hence, maximum value = ⎜ − 2⎟ ⎜ − 3⎟ =
⎝3 ⎠⎝3 ⎠ 27
dy a
= 0 ⇒ + 2bx + 1 = 0........... ( i) 16. f(x) = ex + e–x
dx x
∴ x = –1 and x = 2 must satisfy (i) ⇒ f′(x) = ex – e–x and f′′(x) = ex + e–x
–a – 2b + 1 = 0 ....(ii) f′(x) = 0 ⇒ ex – e–x = 0 ⇒ ex = e–x ⇒ e2x = 1
and a + 8b + 2 = 0 ...(iii) ⇒ x=0
On solving equation (ii) & (iii), we get
⎛ 1 ⎞
1 f ′′ ( 0 ) = ⎜ e0 + ⎟=2>0
b=− and a = 2 ⎝ e0 ⎠
2
11. f(x) = |x + 2| is non-negative for all x ∈ R. ∴ x = 0 is a point of minima.
The least value of |x + 2| is 0. Hence, least value of f(x) = f(0) = 2
12. f(x) = cos x 17. Semi - perimeter = 88 cm
⇒ f ′ (x) = –sinx, f ′ (x) = – cos x. Let length = x cm, then
for points of maxima, we must have f′ (x) = 0 and
breadth = (88 – x) cm
f′′ (x) < 0.
This happens at x = 2nπ ∴ A = x(88 – x) = 88x – x2

13. f(x) = tan x ⇒ f′ (x) = sec2 x ≠ 0 dA d2 A

⇒ = 88 − 2x and = −2 < 0
∴ f(x) has neither a point of maxima nor a point dx dx2
of minima.
dA
x −1 = 0 ⇒ x = 44
14. f ( x ) = dx
x+1
∴ x = 44 is a point of maxima.
∴ f ′ ( x) =
( x + 1) − ( x − 1) = 2 Hence, maximum area = (44 × 44)
( x + 1)2 ( x + 1) 2 = 1936 cm2
⇒ f′(x) ≠ 0
18. Let x + y = 12, x > 0 and y > 0
Hence, f(x) has neither maxima nor minima.
and P = xy = x (12 – x) = 12x – x2
15. f(x) = (x – 2) (x – 3)2
∴ f′(x) = (x – 2) 2 (x – 3) + (x – 3)2 dP d2 P
∴ = 12 − 2x and = −2 < 0
= (x – 3) [2x – 4 + x – 3]
dx dx 2
 dP 20. y = 2 cos x
= 0 ⇒ 12 – 2x = 0 ⇒ x = 6
dx dy
= –2 sin x
∴ x = 6 is a point of maxima dx
Hence, x = y = 6 ⎛ dy ⎞
m= ⎜ ⎟
19. x = t2, y = 2 t ⎝ dx ⎠ x=π/ 4

at t = 1, x = 1, y = 2 ⎛ π⎞
= −2 ⎜ sin ⎟
⎝ 4⎠
dy dy dt
= −2
dx dx dt =− 2
=
2
2 1
= = π π
2t t , y = 2 cos =
at x=
4 4 2
Slope of tangent at t = 1, = 1
Equation of tangent
Slope of normal = –1
Equation of normal y – 2 = –(x – 1) ⎛ π⎞
y − 2 = − 2 ⎜x − ⎟
x+y–3=0 ⎝ 4 ⎠