CHAPTER FIVE

APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES

At the end of this chapter students will be able to:

 Calculate Rate of change of different quantities

 Deal with Rolle’s theorem and its application

 Mean value theorem and its application

 First derivative test and its application

 Second derivative test and its application

 Curve sketching

 L’ Hoptitals Rule

M.I & D.T 1

5.1 Rate of Change

M.I & D.T 2

 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 3

Supportive examples cont’d…

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 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 5

 Cont’d…

dy 2 x
 cm / s
dx 25  x 2

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 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 7

Rolle’s theorem Cont’d…

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 Cont’d…

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 Cont’d…

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5.2. Mean Value Theorem and its application

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 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 12

 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 13

 5.3.The First and Second Derivatives and Its Application
Absolute Extrema

A function f has an absolute (global) maximum at x = c if f(x)  f(c) for all x in the
domain D of f. The number f(c) is called the absolute maximum value of fin D.

A function f has an absolute (global) minimum at x = c if f(c)  f(x) for all x in the
domain D of f. The number f(c) is called the absolute minimum value of f in D.

M.I & D.T 14

 Cont’d…
Relative Extrema

A function f has a relative (local) maximum at x = c if there exists an open interval

(a, b) containing c such that f(x)  f(c)) for all r  x  s.

A function f has a relative (local) minimum at x = c if there exists an open interval

(a, b) containing c such that f(c)  f(x)) for all a  x b

M.I & D.T 15

 Cont’d…
Critical Points of f

A critical number of a function f is a number c in the domain of f such that

a) f '(c)  0 (stationary point)

b) f '(c) does not exist (DNE) (singular
singular point)

M.I & D.T 16

 Cont’d…
Example 1. Find all the critical numbers of f ( x)  3 x3  3x
Solution:
3 3
f (x)  x  3x Stationary point: x  1
2
x 1 Singular point: x  0,  3
 f '(x) 
3 3 2
(x  3x)

3 3
graph of f (x)  x  3x

M.I & D.T 17

 Cont’d…
Fermat’s Theorem
If a function f has a local maximum or minimum at c, then c is a critical
number of f
Notice that the theorem does not say that at every critical number the
function has a local maximum or local minimum.

M.I & D.T 18

 Cont’d…
Extreme Value Theorem

If a function f is continuous on a closed interval [a, b], then f attains an

absolute maximum and absolute minimum on [a, b]. Each extremum
occurs at a critical number or at an endpoint

M.I & D.T 19

 Cont’d…
Finding absolute extrema on [a , b]

1. Find all critical numbers for f (x) in (a, b).

b

2. Evaluate f (x) for all critical numbers in (a, b).

3. Evaluate f (x) for the endpoints a and b of the interval [a, b].

4.The largest value found in steps 2 and 3 is the absolute maximum for f on the
interval [a , b], and the smallest value found is the absolute minimum for f on
[a, b]
3 1 
2
Example 2. Find the absolute extrema of f (x)  x 3x on  , 3
 2 
Solution:

Critical values of f inside the interval (-1/2

2,3) are x = 0, 2
2
f '(x)  3x  6x  3x(x  2)
M.I & D.T 20
 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 21

 Cont’d…
Activity 1.
1. Find all the critical numbers of the following function
2
x 1 2 2x 
 x  2 x  1 if x  1
a) f ( x)  2 b) f (x)  x e c) f ( x)   2
x 1  x  4 x  3 if x  0

d) f (x)  1 x2 e) f (x)  x2 3 (x 1)2 f) f (x)  (x  5) 3 x  4

2. Find the Absolute extrema of the following function on the indicated
interval I
2
3x
a) f (x)  2x3 3x2 12x  5, I [2,4] b) f (x)  , I [2,2]
x 3
54 14
c) f (x)  4x 8x , I [0,4] d) f (x)  2sin x  cos x, I  [0,2 ]
M.I & D.T 22
 Cont’d…
Increasing, Decreasing and Constant

o If f’(x) > 0 for each value of x in an interval (a, b), then f is increasing on (a, b).

o If f’(x) < 0 for each value of x in an interval (a, b), then f is decreasing on (a, b).

o If f’(x) = 0 for each value of x in an interval (a, b), then f is constant on (a, b).

M.I & D.T 23

 Cont’d…
The first Derivative test: Suppose that c is a critical number of a continuous
function f

a. If f’ changes from positive to negative at c, then f has a local maximum at c.

b. If f’ changes from negative to positive at c, then f has a local minimum at c.

c. If f’ does not change sign at c (for example, if f’ is positive on both side or

negative on both side), then f has no local maximum or local minimum at c.

M.I & D.T 24

 Cont’d…
Determine the sign of the derivative of f to the left and right of the critical point

3 2
Example 3. Find all the relative extrema of f (x)  x 6x 1
2
Solution: f '(x)  3x 12x
2
f '(x)  3x 12x  0
3x(x4)  0 Stationary point: x  0,4
x  0,4
Singular
M.I & D.T point: None 25
 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 26

 Cont’d…
Example 4. Find all the relative extrema of 3 3
f (x)  x 3x
Solution: 2
x 1
f (x)  x 3x  f '(x)  3
3 3
3 2
(x 3x)
Stationary point: x  1
Singular point: x  0,  3

Graph on page 17

M.I & D.T 27

 Cont’d…
Optimization Problems
A Procedure for Solving Applied Maximum and Minimum Problems
Step 1. Draw an appropriate figure and label the quantities relevant to the
problem.
Step 2. Find a formula for the quantity to be maximized or minimized.
Step 3. Using the conditions stated in the problem to eliminate variables,
express the quantity to be maximized or minimized as a function of one
variable.
Step 4. Find the interval of possible values for this variable from the physical
restrictions in the problem.
Step 5. If applicable, use the techniques of the preceding section to obtain the
maximum or minimum.
M.I & D.T 28
 Cont’d…
Example 5. A garden is to be laid out in a rectangular area and
protected by a chicken wire fence.
fence What is the largest possible area of
the garden if only 100 running feet of chicken wire is available for the
fence?
Solution:
Let x = length of the rectangle (ft)
y = width of the rectangle (ft)
A = area of the rectangle (ft2)
Then A = xy [1]
Since the perimeter of the rectangle is 100 ft, the variables x and y are
related by the equation
2x + 2y = 100 or y = 50 − x [2]

M.I & D.T 29

 Cont’d…
Substituting [2] in [1] yields
A = x(50 − x) = 50xx − x2 [3]
Because x represents a length, it cannot be negative, and because the two
sides of length x cannot have a combined length exceeding the total
perimeter of 100 ft, the variable x must satisfy
0 ≤ x ≤ 50 [4]
Thus, we have reduced the problem to that of finding the value (or
values) of x in [0, 50], for which A is maximum.
Since A is a polynomial in x, it is continuous on [0, 50], and so the
maximum must occur at an endpoint of this interval or at a critical
point.
From [3] we obtain dA/dx = 50 − 2x
Setting dA/dx = 0 we obtain 50 − 2x = 0 or x = 25.
M.I & D.T 30
 Cont’d…
Thus, the maximum occurs at one of the values x = 0, x = 25, x = 50
Substituting these values in [3] yields the below table
x 0 25 50

A 0 625 0

which tells us that the maximum area of 625 ft2 occurs at x = 25. From
[2] the corresponding value of y is 25, so the rectangle of perimeter
100 ft with greatest area is a square with sides of length 25 ft

M.I & D.T 31

 Cont’d…
Activity 2.
1. Find local maximum and minimum value of the following function

23 2 (a  x)
a) f ( x)  x ( x 1) b) f ( x)  , x  0 and a  0
ax
3 2
2. If f ( x)  ax  bx  cx  d , determine the values of a, b, c and
d, such that f has local maximum 2 at x = -1 and a local maximum -1
at x = 1
4 3 2
3.. If f ( x)  ax  bx  cx  dx  e , determine the values of a, b, c
d and e, such that f has local maximum 2 at x = 0, and a local
maximum -14 at x = -2 and x = 2
4. Find the radius and height of the right circular cylinder of largest
volume that can be inscribed in a right circular cone with radius 6
inches and height 10 inches
M.I & D.T 32
 Cont’d..
Concavity
Let f be a differentiable function on (a,( b).
1. f is concave upward on (a, b) if f' is increasing on (a,
( b). That is
f''(x) > 0 for each value of x in (a,, b)
2. f is concave downward on (a, b)) if f' is decreasing on (a, b). That is
f''(x) < 0 for each value of x in (a,, b)

Example 6. determine open interval on which the graph of f(x) is

concave upward and downward 2
3 2
a) f ( x)  x  x  5x  5 b) f ( x) 
x  1
2
M.I & D.T
x 4 33
 Cont’d..
Inflection Point
A point on the graph of f at which f is continuous and concavity changes
is called an inflection point.

To search for inflection points, find any point, c in the domain where
f''(x) = 0 or f''(x) is undefined. If f'' changes sign from the left to the
right of c, then (c, f(c)) is an inflection point of f.
M.I & D.T 34
 Cont’d..
3 2
Example 7. Find all inflection points off ( x)  x  6x  2
Solution : let 3 2
f ( x)  x  6 x  2
2
f '(x)  3x 12x
f ''(x)  6x 12
6x12  0
x2
Thus , since the polynomial function is defined at every point, the only
Possible inflection point is x  2 .

M.I & D.T 35

 5.4 Curve Sketching

Properties of Graphs
 In many problems, the properties of interest in the graph of a
function are:
• Domain • Symmetry
• x and y-intercepts • Asymptotes
• Local maximum or minimum • Concavity
• Intervals of increase and decrease • Inflection points

 Recall that a rational function is a function of the form f(x) =

P(x)/Q(x) in which P(x) and Q(x) are polynomials. Graphs of
rational functions are more complicated than those of polynomials
because of the possibility of asymptotes and discontinuities.
M.I & D.T 36
 Cont’d…
Graphing a Rational Function
f (x) = P(x)/Q(x), if P(x) and Q(x) have no Common Factors
Step 1. (Domain): This is the set of values of x for which f(x) is defined.
Step 2. (symmetries). Determine whether there is symmetry about the y-
axis or the origin.
• Symmetry-Even function
If f(-x) = f(x) for all x in D, that is, the equation of the curve is unchanged
when x is replaced by -x, then f is an even function and the curve is
symmetric about the y-axis.
• Symmetry-Odd function
If f(-x) = -f(x) for all x in D, then f is an odd function and the curve is
symmetric about the origin.
Note that: If neither f(-x) = f(x) nor f(-x) = -f(x) for all x in D, then a
function f is neither even nor odd. .
M.I & D.T 37
 Cont’d…

Step 3. (x- and y-intercepts). Find the x- and y-intercepts.

• The y-intercept is f (0) and this tells us where the curve intersects the
y-axis and to find the x-intercepts,
intercepts, we set y = 0 and solve for x.

Step 4. (asymptotes).

• Find the values of x for which Q ( x )  0 . The graph has a vertical

asymptote at each such value.

• If eitherlim f ( x)  L or lim f (x)  L then the liney  L is a

x  x

horizontal asymptote of the curve y f (x)

• Oblique asymptotes are discussed at the end of this section

M.I & D.T 38

 Cont’d…
Step 5. (derivatives). Find f '(x) and f ''(x) .
• Interval of Increasing or Decreasing
 Compute f’(x) and find the intervals on which:
• f’(x) is positive (f is increasing).
• f’(x) is negative (f is decreasing)
• Local maximum and minimum
 Find the critical numbers of f (the numbers c where f’(c) = 0 or f’(c) does
not exist). Then, use the First Derivative Test.
• If f’ changes from positive to negative at a critical number c, then f(c) is
a local maximum.
• If f’ changes from negative to positive at c, then f(c) is a local minimum.
• Although it is usually preferable to use the First Derivative Test, you
can use the Second Derivative Test if f’(c) = 0 and f’’(c) ≠ 0. Then,
• f ”(c) > 0 implies that f (c) is a local minimum.
• f ’’(c) < 0 implies that f (c) is a local maximum.
• Concavity: The curve is:
• Concave upward where f’’(x) > 0
• Concave downward where f’’(x) < 0
M.I & D.T 39
 Cont’d…
Step 6. (sketch the graph).
• Using the information above (step1-5),
(step draw the graph. Sketch the
asymptotes as dashed lines. Plot the intercepts, maximum and
minimum points, and inflection points. Then, make the curve pass
through these points, rising and falling according to step 5 (interval of
increasing of decreasing), with concavity , and approaching the
asymptotes. 2
2x
Example 8: sketch the curve y 2
Solution: x 1
Step 1. The domain is:{x | x2 – 1 ≠ 0} = {xx | x ≠ ±1} = (-∞, -1) U (-1, -1) U (1, ∞).
Step 2. Since f (-x) = f (x), the function is even.
even
 The curve is symmetric about the y-axis
Step 3. The x- and y-intercepts are both 0..
2
Step 4. 2x 2 Therefore, the line y = 2 is
lim 2  lim M.I & D.T 2  2 a horizontal asymptote
x  x 1 x 11 x 40
 Cont’d…
Since the Q( x)  0 when x = ±1. Thus, the lines x = 1 and x = -1 are vertical
asymptotes.

This information about limits and

asymptotes enables us to draw
the preliminary sketch, showing
the parts of the curve near the
asymptotes

M.I & D.T 41

 Cont’d…
Step 5. 2 2
4 x ( x  1)  2 x  2 x 4 x
f '( x )  2 2
 2 2
( x  1) ( x  1)
Since f’(x) > 0 when x < 0 (x ≠ 1) and f’(xx) < 0 when x > 0 (x ≠ 1),
f is Increasing on (-∞, -1) and (-1, 0) and Decreasing on (0, 1) and (1, ∞).
• It has no point of inflection since 1 and -1 are not in the domain of f.
The only critical number is x = 0. Since f’ changes from positive to negative at 0,
f (0) = 0 is a local maximum by the First Derivative Test
2 2 2 2
 4( x  1)  4 x  2( x  1)2 x 12 x  4
f ''( x )  2 4
 2 3
( x  1) ( x  1)
2
Since 12x  4  0 for all x, we have
2
f ''(x)  0  x 1 0  x 1 and f ''(x)  0  x  1
Thus, the curve is concave upward on the intervals (-∞,
( -1) and (1, ∞) and concave
downward on (-1, -1) M.I & D.T 42
 Cont’d…
Step 6.

M.I & D.T 43

 Cont’d…
Oblique asymptote: Some curves have asymptotes that are oblique —
that is, neither horizontal nor vertical
• For rational functions, oblique asymptotes occur when the degree of the
numerator is one more than the degree of the denominator. In such a
case, the equation of the oblique asymptote can be found by long
division
 If lim  f ( x)  (mx  b)  0 , then
x
the line y  mx  b is called
Oblique asymptote.

 This is because the vertical distance

between the curve y = f (x) and the
line y = mx + b → 0. M.I & D.T 44
 Cont’d…
3
Example 9. Sketch the graph of: x
f (x)  2
x 1
Solution :
Step 1. The domain is: R = (-∞, ∞)
Step 2. As f(-x) = -f(x), f is odd and its graph is symmetric about the origin
Step 3. The x- and y-intercepts are both 0..
2
Step 4. Since x  1 is never 0, there is no vertical asymptote.
Since f(x) → ∞ as x → ∞ and f(x) → -∞ as x → - ∞, there is no
horizontal asymptote 3
x x
However, long division gives f (x)  2  x 2 ,
x x 1 x 1
f (x)  x  2 
x 1
1x
 2
 0 as x 
11 x So, the line y = x is a oblique asymptote
M.I & D.T 45
 Cont’d…
Step 5. (derivatives). Find f '(x) and f ''( x. )
2 2 3 2 2
3x (x  2)  x  2x x (x  3)
f '(x)  2
 2 2
 x 1 2 (x 1)
Since f’(x) > 0 for all x (except 0), f is increasing on (- ∞, ∞)
Although f’(0) = 0, f’ does not change sign at 0
So, there is no local maximum or minimum
2 2 2 4 2 2 2
(4x  6x)(x 1)  (x  3x )  2(x 1)2x 2x(3  x )
f ''(x)  2 4
 2 3
(x 1) (x 1)

Since f’’(x) = 0 when x = 0 or x   3 , we set up the following chart

3 3 3 3
The points of inflection are: , and ( 3, )
( 3, 
4
) (0,0) 4
M.I & D.T 46
 Cont’d…
interval x 2
(3 x ) 2
(x 1) 2
f '(x) f
x 3   
   CU on ,  3
 3x0     CD on  3,0

0 x 3     CU on  0, 3
x 3     CD on  3, 
Step 6.
The graph of f is sketched

M.I & D.T 47

 Cont’d…

Activity 3. sketch the graph

cos x
a) f ( x ) 
2  sin x

2
x
b) f ( x ) 
x 1

x2  4
c) f ( x)  2
x 9

M.I & D.T 48

 5.5. L’hôpital’s Rule
f ( x)
Recall that a limit of the form lim …………………………………….[1]
x a g ( x)

where both f(x) → 0 and g(x) → 0 as x → a, then this limit may or may not exist
and is called an indeterminate form of type 0/0

Some examples encountered earlier in the previous session are:

2
x 1 sin x 1  cos x
lim 2 , lim 1 , lim 0
x 1 x  1 x0 x x 0 x
The first limit was obtained algebraically by factoring the numerator and canceling
the common factor of x − 1, and the second two limits were obtained using
geometric methods.

However, there are many indeterminate forms for which neither algebraic nor
geometric methods will produce the limit.
limit
M.I & D.T 49
 Cont’d…

Theorem: Suppose f and g are differentiable and g ( x )  0 , on an open

interval I that contain a (except possibly at a).

Suppose that
lim f ( x)  0 lim g ( x)  0
x a x a

or that
lim f ( x)   lim g ( x)  
x a x a

(n In other words, we have an indeterminate form of type 0/0 or ∞/∞ )

then f ( x) f '( x)
lim  lim
xa g ( x) xa g '( x)

If the limit on the right side exist orM.I infinite

& D.T
(∞ or -∞) 50
 Cont’d…
Applying L’Hôpital’s Rule

Step 1. Check that the limit of f(x)/g(x) is an indeterminate form of type 0/0 or
∞/∞.

Step 2. Differentiate f and g separately.

Step 3. Find the limit of f ‘(x)/g’(x). If this limit is finite,  or  , then it is

equal to the limit of f(x)/g(x)
2
x 4
Example 10. Find the limit lim , using L’Hôpital’s rule, and check the
x2 x  2
result by factoring

Solution: The numerator and denominator have a limit of 0, so the limit is an

indeterminate form of type 0/0. d 2
2 
 x  4 
x 4 dx 2x
lim  lim  lim 4
x 2 x  2 x 2 d x 2 1
Applying L’Hôpital’s rule yields: M.I & D.T
dx
 x  2 51
 Cont’d…
Activity 4.
In each part confirm that the limit is an indeterminate form of type 0/0,
and evaluate it using L’Hôpital’s rule
x 4 3
x
e x 2
e 1 x tan x
a) lim x b) lim 3 c) lim d) lim 2
x e  4x x0 x x sin(1 x) x0 x

x6 REMARK:
g) lim Applying L’Hôpital’s rule to limits that are not
x0 x  2 indeterminate forms can produce incorrect results.
For example, the computation of g)
M.I & D.T 52
 Cont’d…
Example 11. In each part confirm that the limit is an indeterminate form of type ∞
/ ∞ and apply L’Hôpital’s rule
x ln x
a) lim b) lim
x0 csc x
x e x
Solution:
a). The numerator and denominator both have a limit of ∞, so we have an
indeterminate form of type ∞ / ∞.
x 1
Applying L’Hôpital’s rule yields:
lim x = lim x  0
x e x e

b). The numerator has a limit of -∞ and the denominator has a limit of ∞, so we
have an indeterminate form of type ∞ / ∞. Applying L’Hôpital’s rule yields:
ln x 1x  sin x 
lim  lim  lim   tan x 
x  0 csc x x  0  csc x cot x x 0 
x 
sin x
  lim  lim tan x   1 0   0
xM.I
& 0 D.T x x0 53
 Cont’d…
Thus far we have discussed indeterminate forms of type 0/0 and ∞ / ∞. However,
these are not the only possibilities; in general, the limit of an expression that has
one of the forms
f (x) g ( x)
, f (x)  g(x), f (x) , f (x)  g(x), f (x)  g(x)
g(x)
is called an indeterminate form if the limits of f(x) and g(x) individually exert
conflicting influences on the limit of the entire expression.

this can sometimes be evaluated by rewriting the product as a ratio, and then
applying L’Hôpital’s rule for indeterminate forms of type 0/0 or ∞ / ∞.

Example 12. Evaluate

a) lim x ln x b) lim (1  tan x ) sec 2 x

x0 x  4

M.I & D.T 54

 Cont’d…
Solution:
a) The factor x has a limit of 0 and the factor ln x has a limit of -∞ , so
the stated problem is an indeterminate form of type 0 · ∞. There are
two possible approaches:
ln x x
we can rewrite the limit as: lim or lim
x0 1x x0 1 ln x
the first being an indeterminate form of type ∞ / ∞ and the second an
indeterminate form of type 0/00. However, the first form is the
preferred initial choice because the derivative of 1/x is less
complicated than the derivative of 1/ lnx.
ln x 1x
That choice yields: lim  lim 2
x0 1 x x  0 1 x

 lim (  x )  0
x0
M.I & D.T 55
 Cont’d…
b) The stated problem is an indeterminate form of type 0 · ∞. We will
convert it to an indeterminate form of type 0/0:
1  tan x 1  tan x
lim (1  tan x ) sec 2 x  lim  lim
x  4 x  4 1 sec 2 x x  4 cos 2 x
2
 sec x
 lim
x  4  2 sin 2 x

2
 1
2

M.I & D.T 56

 Cont’d…
Example 13. Evaluate lim  1  1 

x0  x


sin x 
Solution:

Both terms have a limit of +∞, so the stated problem is an indeterminate

form of type ∞ − ∞. Combining the two terms yields:
1 1  sin x  x
lim     lim
x0  x sin x  x0 x sin x
which is an indeterminate form of type 0/0. Applying L’Hôpital’s rule
sin x  x cos x  1
twice yields lim  lim
x0 x sin x x0 sin x  x cos x
 sin x
 lim
x0 cos x  cos x  x sin x

 sin x 0
 lim  0
x0 2cos x  x sin x 2
M.I & D.T 57
 Cont’d…
g ( x)
Limits of the form f ( x)
Indeterminate forms of types 00, 0, and 1 can sometimes be evaluated by first
introducing a dependent variable.
g ( x)
y  f ( x)
and then computing the limit of lny. Since
g ( x)
ln y  ln[ f ( x ) ]  g ( x )  ln f ( x )
1x
Example 14. Find lim(1  sin x )
x0
x
Solution: As discussed above, we begin by introducing a dependent variable
1x and taking the natural logarithm of both sides
y  (1  sin x )
1 1x ln(1  sin x )
ln y  ln[(  sin x ) ]   ln(1  sin x ) 
x M.I & D.T x 58
 Cont’d…
Thus, ln (1  sin x )
lim ln y  lim
x 0 x 0 x
which is an indeterminate form of type 0/0, so by L’Hôpital’s rule
ln (1  sin x ) co s x (1  sin x )
lim ln y  lim  lim 1
x 0 x 0 x x 0 1
Since we have shown that lny → 1 as x → 0, the continuity of the
ln y 1
exponential function implies that e  e as x → 0, and this
implies that y → e as x → 0.
1x
Thus, lim(1  sin x )  e
x 0
Activity 5.

x 3 x x 1x
a) lim(1  3 x ) b) lim(1  2 x ) c) lim(e  x )
x  x 0 x0
1 1 
lim   x M.I &D.T
d) x0  x e 1  59
 Cont’d…

M.I & D.T 60