Chapter 4

Application of Derivatives

4.1 Indeterminate Forms

The following expressions are all called indeterminate forms.

0 ∞
, , 0 · ∞, ∞ − ∞, 00 , ∞0 and 1∞ .
0 ∞

Question lim f (x) lim g(x) Indeterminate Form (I.F.)

x→u x→u

0
f (x) 0 0
lim 0
x→u g(x)

∞
∞ or −∞ ∞ or −∞
∞

lim f (x)g(x) 0 ∞ or −∞ 0·∞

x→u

lim [f (x) − g(x)] ∞ ∞ ∞−∞

x→u

−∞ −∞

0 0 00

lim f (x)g(x) ∞ 0 ∞0
x→u

1 ∞ or −∞ 1∞

HERE: u stands for any of the symbols a, a− , a+ , ∞, −∞.

150 Application of Derivatives

0 ∞
4.1.1 Indeterminate Form or
0 ∞
0 ∞
L’Hospital’s Rule is a general method for evaluating the indeterminate forms or .
0 ∞

L’Hospital’s Rule

Suppose

1. f and g are differentiable

2. g 0 (x) 6= 0 on an open interval I containing a.

3. lim f (x) = 0 and lim g(x) = 0 or

x→a x→a

lim f (x) = ±∞ and lim g(x) = ±∞

x→a x→a
0 ∞
(In other words, we have an indeterminate form of type or ).
0 ∞

Then
f (x) f 0 (x)
lim = lim 0
x→a g(x) x→a g (x)

if the limit on the right side exists or is ∞ or −∞.

Moreover, this statement is also true in the case of a limit as x → a− , x → a+ , x → ∞ or as

x → −∞.

3x − 1
Example 4.1. Calculate lim .
x→0 x
Solution
4.1 Indeterminate Forms 151

1 − cos x
Example 4.2. Calculate lim .
x→0 x2
Solution

ln x
Example 4.3. Find lim √ .
x→∞ x+1
Solution
152 Application of Derivatives

e2x
Example 4.4. Evaluate lim .
x→∞ x2

Solution

L’Hospital’s Rule cannot be used to evaluate the following limit.

√ d √ 2
2
x +1 ( x + 1)
lim = lim dx
x→−∞ x x→−∞ d
x
dx
1 d 2
√ (x + 1)
2 x + 1 dx
2
= lim
x→−∞ 1
1
√ (2x)
2 x2 + 1
= lim
x→−∞ 1
x ∞
= lim √ I.F.
x→−∞ x2 + 1 ∞
d
x
= lim dx
x→−∞ d √
( x2 + 1)
dx
1
= lim x
x→−∞
√
x2 + 1
√
x2 + 1
= lim
x→−∞ x

L’Hospital’s Rule does not help in this situation.

4.1 Indeterminate Forms 153

4.1.2 Indeterminate Form 0 · ∞

0
We can convert the indeterminate form 0 · ∞ to an indeterminate form of type by writing
0
f (x)
f (x)g(x) =
1
g(x)
∞
or to an indeterminate form of the type by writing
∞
g(x)
f (x)g(x) = .
1
f (x)

Now check the three conditions of L’Hospital’s rule are all satisfied with the two functions
1 1
f (x) and or with g(x) and .
g(x) f (x)

Example 4.5. Evaluate lim+ x2 ln x.

x→0

Solution
154 Application of Derivatives

Example 4.6. Evaluate lim x2 ex .

x→−∞

Solution

4.1.3 Indeterminate Form ∞ − ∞

To evaluate a limit involving ∞−∞, we also need to re-express the difference of two functions

as a quotient, by finding some common denominator. So now check the three conditions of

L’Hospital’s rule are all satisfied with the two functions, those being the numerator and the

denominator of the quotient produced.

 
1 1
Example 4.7. Evaluate lim+ − .
x→0 x ex − 1
Solution
4.1 Indeterminate Forms 155

Example 4.8. Evaluate lim+ (cosec x − cot x).

x→0

Solution

4.1.4 Indeterminate Forms 00 , ∞0 and 1∞

We need the following procedure to compute lim f (x)g(x) of the indeterminate forms 00 , ∞0
x→a
∞
and 1 .

1. Let y = f (x)g(x) .

2. Take the natural logarithm (ln) of both sides to get

ln y = g(x) ln(f (x)).

3. Compute the following limit, using the previous indeterminate forms,

lim ln y = lim g(x) ln(f (x)) .
x→a x→a

4. If lim ln y = L, then
x→a

lim f (x)g(x) = lim y = lim eln y = eL .

x→a x→a x→a
156 Application of Derivatives

1
Example 4.9. Find lim x x .
x→∞

Solution

Example 4.10. Evaluate lim+ xtan x .

x→0

Solution
4.1 Indeterminate Forms 157
 x
1
Example 4.11. Calculate lim 1+ .
x→∞ x
Solution
 158 Application of Derivatives

Exercise 4.1

Use L’Hospital’s rule to evaluate the following limits.

√  
1− x x 1
1. lim √ 13. lim −
x→∞ 1 + x x→1+ x − 1 ln x
x − sin(πx) 
1 1

2. lim+ 14. lim −
x→0 x + sin(πx) x→0+ xex x
x+2
3. lim
 
x→−2 ln(x + 3)
1 1
15. lim −
x→0+ sin x x
3x
4. lim  
x→∞ x2 + x − 1 4 2
16. lim −
sec x x→1+ x2 − 1 x − 1
5. lim
x→ π2 − 1 + tan x  
4 4
17. lim −
e3x − 1 x→1+ ln x x − 1
6. lim
x→0 x 1
ex 18. lim+ (1 − 2x) x
7. lim 2x x→0
x→∞ e +1  x x
sin x − x 19. lim
8. lim x→∞ x + 1
x→0 x3
2 cos x − 2 + x2 20. lim+ xsin x
9. lim x→0
x→0 x4

10. lim+ x−2 ln(cos x) 21. lim+ (2x)x

x→0 x→0

−x
11. lim 3−x ln(x + 1) 22. lim (3x + 2)e
x→∞ x→∞
 
1 2
12. lim x tan 23. lim (ex + x) x
x→∞ x x→∞
4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 159

4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions

Guidelines for Sketching a graph of polynomial functions

1. x−Intercepts and y−Intercepts

2. Intervals of Increase or Decrease

3. Relative Maximum and Minimum

4. Concavity and Points of Inflection

5. Sketch the Curve : Using the information in step 1 − 4, draw the graph
160 Application of Derivatives

Increasing Functions and Decreasing Functions

Definition 4.12. Let f be a function defined on an interval I and let x1 and x2 be any

points in I.

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

2. If f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) whenever x1 < x2 , then f is said to be decreasing on I.

4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 161

Example 4.13. The following figure shows the graph of a function y = f (x) which is defined

on R.

f is increasing on the interval

f is decreasing on the interval

Theorem 4.14. First Derivative Test for Increasing or Decreasing Functions

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

1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all x ∈ (a, b), then f is increasing on [a, b].

2. If f 0 (x) < 0 for all x ∈ (a, b), then f is decreasing on [a, b].
162 Application of Derivatives

Relative (Local) Maxima and Minima

Definition 4.15.

1. A function f has a relative (local) maximum at x = c if

f (x) ≤ f (c) for all x in some open interval containing c.

2. A function f has a relative (local) minimum at x = c if

f (x) ≥ f (c) for all x in some open interval containing c.

A relative extremum is either a relative minimum or relative maximum.

Example 4.16. The following figure shows the graph of a function y = f (x) which is defined

on R.

f has a relative maxima at

f has a relative minima at

Theorem 4.17. If f has a relative extremum at x = c, then f 0 (c) = 0 or f 0 (c) does not

exist.

Definition 4.18. We call (c, f (c)) a critical point of f if f 0 (c) = 0 or f 0 (c) does not exist.
4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 163

Theorem 4.19. First Derivative Test for Relative Extrema

Suppose that f is continuous on [a, b] and differentiable in (a, b) except at c ∈ (a, b) where

(c, f (c)) is a critical point.

1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all a < x < c and f 0 (x) < 0 for all c < x < b, then f has a relative

maximum at c or f (c) is a relative maximum.

2. If f 0 (x) < 0 for all a < x < c and f 0 (x) > 0 for all c < x < b, then f has a relative

minimum at c or f (c) is a relative minimum.

3. If f 0 (x) > 0 or f 0 (x) < 0 for all x ∈ (a, b) except x = c, then f has no relative extremum

at c or f (c) is neither a relative maximum nor a relative minimum.

f has a relative maximum at c f has a relative minimum at c

f has no relative extremum at c

164 Application of Derivatives

Concavity and Inflection Points

Definition 4.20. Let f be differentiable on (a, b).

1. The graph of f is concave up on (a, b) if f 0 is increasing on (a, b).

2. The graph of f is concave down on (a, b) if f 0 is decreasing on (a, b).

• The graph of f is concave up on (a, b).

• The graph of f is concave down on (a, b).

4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 165

Example 4.21. The following figure shows the graph of a function y = f (x) which is defined

on R.

The graph of f is concave up on the interval

The graph of f is concave down on the interval

Theorem 4.22. The Second Derivative Test for Concavity

Let f be twice-differentiable on (a, b).

1. If f 00 (x) > 0 for all x ∈ (a, b), then the graph of f is concave up on (a, b).

2. If f 00 (x) < 0 for all x ∈ (a, b), then the graph of f is concave down on (a, b).

Definition 4.23. We call (c, f (c)) an inflection point of f if the curve of f changes from

being concave up to concave down or from concave down to concave up at x = c.

166 Application of Derivatives

Example 4.24. The following figure shows the graph of a function y = f (x) which is defined

on R.

The inflection points are .

Theorem 4.25. If (c, f (c)) is an inflection point of f , then f 00 (c) = 0 or f 00 (c) does not

exist.

Theorem 4.26. Suppose that f is continuous on [a, b] and twice differentiable on (a, b).

Let c ∈ (a, b). The point (c, f (c)) is an inflection point of f if one of the following two

conditions holds.

1. f 00 (x) > 0 for all a < x < c and f 00 (x) < 0 for all c < x < b.

2. f 00 (x) < 0 for all a < x < c and f 00 (x) > 0 for all c < x < b.
4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 167

Basic Principles for Graphing Polynomial Functions

Let y = f (x) be a polynomial function.

1. x−Intercepts and y− Intercepts

To find the x−intercept, we set y = 0 and solve the equation for x.

To find the y−intercept, we set x = 0 and find y.

2. Intervals of Increase and Decrease

Calculate the first derivative f 0 (x) and find the values of x where f 0 (x) = 0. These are

critical points. Use the first derivative test for increasing or decreasing functions to find

where the curve is increasing (f 00 (x) > 0) and where it is decreasing (f 00 (x) < 0).

3. Relative Maximum and Minimum

Use the first derivative test for relative extremum to classify the critical points as relative

maximum or relative minimum. Calculate the y− values of the relative extrema points.

4. Concavity and Points of Inflection

Calculate the second derivative f 00 (x) and find the values of x where f 00 (x) = 0. These

are potential points of inflection. If x = c is a point of these kind and f 00 (x) changes

sign on two sides of c, then (c, f (c)) is an inflection point. Use the second derivative

test for concavity to find where the graph of f is concave up (f 00 (x) > 0) and where it

is concave down (f 00 (x) < 0).

5. Sketch the Curve

Plot key points, such as the intercepts, the points found in steps 3−4 and some additional

points to get a nice shape of the graph, and sketch the graph of f using all the information

obtained above.
168 Application of Derivatives

Example 4.27. Given f (x) = x3 + 3x2 .

1. Find the x−intercept and the y−intercept.

x−intercepts are the points and .

y−intercept is the point .

2. Find the critical points of f , and use the first derivative test for relative extremum to

determine whether a critical point is a relative maximum point or a relative minimum

point and use the first derivative test for increasing or decreasing functions to find where

the curve is increasing and where it is decreasing.

f 0 (x) =

f 0 (x) = 0 when x = .

The critical points of f are and .

Divide the real line by x = .

Then check the sign of f 0 (x) on the subintervals .

Sign of f 0 (x)

Behavior of f

• f is increasing on the interval .

• f is decreasing on the interval .

• The relative maximum point of f is .

• The relative minimum point of f is .

4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 169

3. Find the points of inflection and use the second derivative test for concavity to find where

the graph of f is concave up and where it is concave down.

f 00 (x) = .

f 00 (x) = 0 when x = .

Divide the real line by x = .

Then check the sign of f 00 (x) on the subintervals .

Sign of f 00 (x)

Behavior of f

• The graph of f is concave up on .

• The graph of f is concave down on .

• The inflection point on the graph of f is the point .

170 Application of Derivatives

4. Summarizing the information in steps 2 − 3, we obtain

sign of f 0 (x)

sign of f 00 (x)

graph of f

5. Sketch the graph of f (x) = x3 + 3x2 .

4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 171

Example 4.28. Given f (x) = x4 − 4x3 .

1. x−intercepts are the points and .

y−intercept is the point .

2. f 0 (x) =

f 0 (x) = 0 when x = .

The critical points of f are and .

Sign of f 0 (x)

Behavior of f

• f is increasing on the interval .

• f is decreasing on the interval .

• The relative minimum is the point .

3. f 00 (x) = .

f 00 (x) = 0 when x = .

Sign of f 00 (x)

Behavior of f

• The graph of f is concave up on .

• The graph of f is concave down on .

• The inflection point on the graph of f are the points and .

172 Application of Derivatives

4. Summarizing the information in steps 2 − 3, we obtain

sign of f 0 (x)

sign of f 00 (x)

graph of f

5. Sketch the graph of f (x) = x4 − 4x3 .

4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 173

Exercise 4.2

1. Let y = f (x) be a continuous function on R satisfying the following properties:

• f (−2) = 6, f (0) = 3, f (2) = 0 = f (−4)

• f 0 (x) > 0 for x < −2 or x > 2

• f 0 (x) < 0 for −2 < x < 2

• f 0 (2) = f 0 (−2) = 0

• f 00 (x) < 0 for x < 0

• f 00 (x) > 0 for x > 0

Answer the following questions.

1.1) x− intercept are the points and .

y− intercept is the point .

1.2) The critical points of f are .

1.3) f is increasing on .

f is decreasing on .

1.4) The relative maximum is the point .

The relative minimum is the point .

1.5) The graph of f is concave up on .

The graph of f is concave down on .

1.6) The inflection point on the graph of f is the point .

174 Application of Derivatives

2. Let f (x) = x3 − 12x.

2.1) Fill in the blanks.

• f 0 (x) = and f 00 (x) = .

• x− intercepts are the points .

y− intercept is the point .

• The critical points of f are .

• f is increasing on .

• f is decreasing on .

• The relative maximum is the point .

• The relative minimum is the point .

• The graph of f is concave up on .

• The graph of f is concave down on .

• The inflection point on the graph of f is the point .

2.2) Sketch the graph of f (x) = x3 − 12x.

4.2 Curve Sketching : Graphs of polynomial functions 175

x3
3. Let f (x) = − + 3x2 .
3

3.1) Fill in the blanks.

• f 0 (x) = and f 00 (x) = .

• x− intercepts are the points and .

y− intercept is the point .

• The critical points of f are .

• f is increasing on .

• f is decreasing on .

• The relative maximum is the point .

• The relative minimum is the point .

• The graph of f is concave up on .

• The graph of f is concave down on .

• The inflection point on the graph of f is the point .

x3
3.2) Sketch the graph of f (x) = − + 3x2 .
3
176 Application of Derivatives

4.3 Maximum and Minimum Problems

What are the dimensions of a rectangle with fixed perimeter having maximum area? This

is called the maximum and minimum problem.

How to solve the maximum and minimum problems?

1. Read the problem until you understand it. What is given? What is the unknown quantity

to be optimized (maximized or minimized)?

2. Draw picture if you can and label variables in the picture and any variables in the problem.

3. Identify the known variables and the unknown variable that is to be found.

4. Construct an equation relating the quantities.

5. Differentiate both sides of the equation with respect to the dependent variable. Set the

derivative to be zero and solve for the unknown variable.

6. Verify that your result is a maximum or minimum value using the first or second derivative

test for relative extrema.

Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema

Suppose f 00 is continuous on an open interval that contains x = c.

1. If f 0 (c) = 0 and f 00 (c) < 0, then f has a relative maximum at x = c.

2. If f 0 (c) = 0 and f 00 (c) > 0, then f has a relative minimum at x = c.

3. If f 0 (c) = 0 and f 00 (c) = 0, then the test fails. The function may have a relative

maximum, a relative minimum, or neither.

4.3 Maximum and Minimum Problems 177

Example 4.29. A box having a square base and an open top is to have a volume of 32 cubic

feet. Find the dimensions of the box that require the least material.

Solution We begin by drawing the picture and defining all variables.

Let x be the side length of square base, y be the height of the box, and

A be the area of the area of all sides (total amount of material). Then

A = x2 + 4xy. (4.1)

We express y in terms of x by using the fact that the volume of the box must be 32 cubic

feet, that is,

x2 y = 32.

This implies that

32
y= .
x2
32
Substitute for y into (4.1) getting
x2
128
A(x) = x2 + .
x
Hence
128
A0 (x) = 2x − .
x2
Let A0 (x) = 0. We obtain
128
2x − = 0.
x2
Multiplying both sides by x2 yields

2x3 − 128 = 0

x3 = 64

x = 4.

Using the second derivative test for relative extrema:

256
A00 (x) = 2 +
x3
A00 (4) = 6 > 0
178 Application of Derivatives

Then A has a relative minimum at x = 4.

We can now evaluate y:

32 32 32
y= 2
= 2 = = 2.
x 4 16
Hence the dimensions of the box that require the least amount of material are a length and

width of 4 feet and a height of 2 feet.

Example 4.30. Find two numbers whose sum is 42 and whose product will be the largest.

Solution Let x be the first number, y be the second number and P be the product of x and

y. Then

P = xy. (4.2)

We express y in terms of x by using the fact that x + y = 42, that is, y = 42 − x.

Substitute 42 − x for y into (4.2) getting

P (x) = x(42 − x) = 42x − x2 .

Thus

P 0 (x) = 42 − 2x.

Let P 0 (x) = 0. We obtain 42 − 2x = 0, that is, x = 21.

Using the second derivative test for relative extrema:

P 00 (x) = −2

P 00 (21) = −2 < 0

Then P has a relative maximum at x = 21.

We can now evaluate y:

y = 42 − x = 42 − 21 = 21.

Hence the two numbers whose sum is 42 and whose product will be the largest are 21 and

21.
4.3 Maximum and Minimum Problems 179

Example 4.31. A rectangular garden is to be constructed using a rock wall as one side of

the garden and wire fencing for the other three sides. Given 100 feet of wire fencing, deter-

mine the dimensions that would create a garden of maximum area. What is the maximum

area?

Solution
Let x denote the length of the side of the gar-

den perpendicular to the rock wall, y denote

the length of the side parallel to the rock wall

and A denote the area of the garden. Then

A = xy.

We express y in terms of x by using the fact that the total fencing is 100 feet, that is,

2x + y = 100.

Solving this equation for y, we have y = 100 − 2x. Thus, we can write the area as

A(x) = x(100 − 2x) = 100x − 2x2 .

Then

A0 (x) = 100 − 4x.

Let A0 (x) = 0. We get x = 25.

Using the second derivative test for relative extrema:

A00 (x) = −4

A00 (25) = −4 < 0

We conclude that the maximum area must occur when x = 25. Then we have y = 100−2x =

100 − 2(25) = 50. To maximize the area of the garden, let x = 25 feet and y = 50 feet. The

area of this garden is 1, 250 square feet.

180 Application of Derivatives

Exercise 4.3

1 Two nonnegative numbers have a sum of 9. What is the maximum product of one number

times the square of the second number?

2 Find the dimensions of a rectangle with perimeter 1, 000 metres so that the area of the

rectangle is a maximum.

3 An open rectangular box with square base is to be made from 48 square feet of material.

What dimensions will result in a box with the largest possible volume?