Applications of the

Derivative of Algebraic
Functions
A. Maxima and Minima
Concept of maxima/minima: y
Max. pt.
.
tangent
y=f(x)
x
0
.
Min. pt.

 The slope of the tangent line to a curve at a particular point is the first
derivative of 𝒚 with respect to 𝒙. Since the tangent line at maxima (or
𝒅𝒚
minima) is horizontal, its slope : 𝒅𝒙
=𝟎
 It simply would mean that in solving maxima or minima problems, the
first derivative must be equated to zero.
Problem No. 1
The sum of two numbers is k. Find the minimum value of the sum of their cubes.
Solution: let : 𝑥 = first number
𝑘 − 𝑥 = second number
𝑁 = sum of their cubes
 Interpreting the statement of the problem:
𝑥 3 + (𝑘 − 𝑥)3 = 𝑁
 Differentiating with respect to 𝑥, since it is considered the independent variable, i.e., whatever it
will be, the second number will depend on it .
𝑑𝑁
= 3𝑥 2 + 3(𝑘 − 𝑥)2
𝑑𝑥
0 = 3𝑥 2 + 3(𝑘 − 𝑥)2 . Note also that the derivative of 𝑁 as a constant with respect
to x is zero.
 Solve for x:
1
𝑥= 𝑘
2
1
Hence, 𝑘−𝑥 = 𝑘
2

𝑘 3 𝑘 3 𝑘3
Therefore, the minimum value of their sum, 𝑁 = (2) +(2) = 4
Problem No. 2

The sum of two positive numbers is 4. Find the smallest value possible for the
sum of the cube of one number and the square of the other.
Solution: Let 𝑥 = first number
4 − 𝑥 = second number
𝑁 = sum of the two numbers
𝑁 = 𝑥³ + (4 − 𝑥)²
 Take the first derivative of N with respect to x:
𝑑𝑁
𝑑𝑥
= 𝑁ʹ = 3𝑥 2 + 2(4 − 𝑥)(−1)
𝑑𝑁
 Equate 𝑑𝑥 to zero (minimum):
3𝑥² − 2(4 − 𝑥) = 0
4
 Solve for x: 𝑥 =
3
4 4 3 576
 Therefore , the sum, 𝑁 = ( )3 + 4− =
3 3 27
Problem No. 3

A box is to be made of a piece of cardboard 9 inches square by cutting

equal squares out of the corners and turning up the sides. Find the
volume of the largest box that can be made in this way.
Let 𝑥 = width of cut for each square in the corner .
𝑉 = volume of box formed

9-2x
9-2x
Note: For the box to be realized, 0 < 𝑥 < 4.5 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠.
The volume of the box, 𝑉:
𝑉 = 𝑥 9 − 2𝑥 9 − 2𝑥 = 𝑥(9 − 2𝑥)2
 Differentiating with respect to 𝑥 and equating to zero (Maximum
volume):
𝑑𝑉
= 𝑥 −4 9 − 2𝑥 + (9 − 2𝑥)2 1 =0
𝑑𝑥
 Solve for x:
3
𝑥 = = 1.5 𝑖𝑛𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑠
2
 Therefore ,
3 3 3
Maximum Volume = 9−2 9−2 = 54 cubic inches.
2 2 2
Problem No. 4

A rectangular field of given area is to be fenced off along the bank of a river. If no
fence is needed along the river, what is the shape of the rectangle requiring the
least amount of fencing?
Solution: Let 𝑥 = 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ
𝑦 = 𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ
𝑃 = 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑚𝑢𝑚)
𝐴 = 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡)
𝑃 = 2𝑥 + 𝑦 ------- Eq. 1
𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦 ----------- Eq. 2
 Differentiating Equations 1 & 2 with respect to x:
𝑃ʹ = 2 + 𝑦ʹ = 0
𝑦ʹ = −2 ------- Eq. 3
𝐴ʹ = 𝑥𝑦ʹ + 𝑦 = 0
𝑦
𝑦ʹ = − 𝑥 ----- Eq. 4
𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 3 = 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 4:
𝑦
Therefore, −2 = −
𝑥
𝑦 = 2𝑥
 This means that the Length must be twice the Width to
attain the objective of minimum fencing.
Problem 5. Find the dimensions of the largest rectangular building
that can be placed on a right triangular lot, facing one of the
perpendicular sides.(Fig. 6.8)

b-y

b
y

a-x
a
Area of rectangle, 𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦
 From the figure 6.8, It is convenient to consider the width, 𝑥 as the
independent variable , i.e., the dimensional proportion will be
dictated by the magnitude of 𝑥.
 It is therefore, logical to express 𝑦 as a function of 𝑥 using the given
dimensions of the triangular lot.
 Two similar triangles are observed inside the lot and by Ratio and
Proportion:
𝑥 𝑎−𝑥
=
𝑏−𝑦 𝑦
 Solve for 𝑦:
𝑏(𝑎−𝑥)
𝑦=
𝑎
Hence, 𝐴 as a function of 𝑥 alone:
𝑏 𝑎−𝑥 𝑏
𝐴=𝑥 = [𝑎𝑥 − 𝑥 2 ]
𝑎 𝑎
Differentiating 𝐴 with respect to 𝑥 and equating it to zero (maximum):
𝑑𝐴 𝑏
= 𝑎 − 2𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑥 𝑎
Solving for 𝑥:
1
𝑥= 𝑎
2
Therefore, the length 𝑦:
𝑏(𝑎−𝑥) 𝑏 1 1
𝑦= = 𝑎− 𝑎 = 𝑏
𝑎 𝑎 2 2
Problem 6. A trapezoidal gutter is to be made from a strip of tin by
bending up the edges. If the cross-section has the form shown in
figure 6.9, what width across the top gives the maximum carrying
capacity?

a
a

a
Solution:

T= a +2 𝑎2 − 𝑑 2

a d
a

a
 For a meaningful differentiation procedure, it is very important to
recognize what variable shall be regarded independent?
 In figure 6.9, the depth of the gutter, d define its shape, i.e., if the
depth is shallower, the gutter will be flatter with wider top width, T.
However, when 𝑑 = 𝑎, it will result in a rectangular section. Hence,
there must be a range for 𝑑: 0 < 𝑑 < 𝑎 for a trapezoidal gutter to
materialize.
 It is evident, therefore that the depth is the independent variable
and hence, differentiation must be with respect to it.
 From the figure, 𝑇 = 𝑎 + 2 𝑎2 − 𝑑 2
The maximum carrying capacity is directly related to the cross
section area of the gutter.
1
 The cross section area, 𝐴 = 𝑏 + 𝑏2 ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡
2 1
1
𝐴= 𝑎+𝑇 𝑑
2
1
𝐴= [𝑎 + 𝑎 + 2 𝑎2 − 𝑑 2 ]𝑑
2
1
𝐴= [2𝑎 + 2 𝑎2 − 𝑑 2 )𝑑
2
𝐴= 𝑎 + 𝑎2 − 𝑑2 𝑑
𝐴 = 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑑 𝑎2 − 𝑑 2
 Differentiate 𝐴 with respect to 𝑑 and equate the derivative to zero
(maximum):
 𝑑𝐴 1 2 −
1
= 𝑎 + 𝑑 𝑎 − 𝑑2 2 −2𝑑 + 𝑎2 − 𝑑 2 1 =0
𝑑𝑑 2
𝑑2
0 = 𝑎 + 𝑎2 − 𝑑2 −
𝑎2 − 𝑑2
 Simplify and solve for 𝑑:
3
𝑑= 𝑎
2
Therefore, the top width to give the maximum carrying capacity:
𝑇 = 𝑎 + 2 𝑎2 − 𝑑2
3
= 𝑎 + 2 𝑎2 − ( 𝑎 )2
2
3
= 𝑎 + 2 𝑎2 − 𝑎2
4

𝑎2
=𝑎+2 =𝑎+𝑎
4
𝑇 = 2𝑎
Problem No. 7. Cut the largest possible rectangle from a circular
quadrant, as shown in the figure 6.10
Solution:

 The area of the shaded rectangle , A = (length)(width)

𝐿𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ = 2𝑦
𝑊𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ = 𝑥
𝐴 = 𝑥(2𝑦)
 Initially, the shape of rectangle depends on width (𝑥) because when
𝑥 is narrow, the rectangle is slender and long, hence the width will
have a direct effect on the length.
 From the figure, 𝑥 = base 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 − 𝑦 = 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 − 𝑦
Hence, the area as a function of length alone:
𝐴= 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 − 𝑦 (2𝑦) = 2𝑦 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 − 2𝑦 2
 Differentiate area, 𝐴 with respect to 𝑦 and equate the derivative to
zero (largest rectangle is interpreted to mean the maximum area):
𝑑𝐴 ′
1 2 2 −
1
=𝐴 =2 𝑦 𝑎 − 𝑦 2 −2𝑦 + 𝑎2 − 𝑦 2 1 − 4𝑦 = 0
𝑑𝑦 2
 Simplifying yield this quadratic equation:
8𝑦 4 − 8𝑎2 𝑦 2 + 𝑎4 = 0
 Solve for 𝑦 2 by means of the quadratic formula and obtain:
8𝑎2 ± 32𝑎4
𝑦2 =
16
Case 1: If the positive root is considered:
8𝑎2 + 32𝑎4
𝑦2 = = 0.8535𝑎2
16
𝑦 = 0.924𝑎 which we shall discard since the length,
2𝑦 = 1.848𝑎. This length is impossible to be contained in the circular
quadrant of given radius a.
Case 2:
Choose the negative root:
8𝑎 2 − 32𝑎 4
𝑦2 = = 0.146𝑎2
16
𝑦 = 0.383 𝑎 which is reasonable.
Therefore the largest area,
𝐴 = 2 0.383𝑎 𝑎2 − 0.3836𝑎 2 − 0.3836𝑎 = 0.42𝑎2
Time Rate of change or simply Time Rates

Problem No. 9
Water is flowing into a vertical cylindrical tank at the rate of 24 cu ft
per min. If the radius of the tank is 4 ft, how fast is the surface rising?

𝑑𝑉
= 24 𝑐𝑢. 𝑓𝑡/𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡

𝑑ℎ
=?
𝑑𝑡

r=4 ft.
Solution:
From solid mensuration or elementary geometry:
 Volume of liquid inside a cylindrical tank,
V= (cross-section area)(height)
𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ
𝑉 = 𝜋(4)2 ℎ
𝑉 = 16𝜋ℎ
 Differentiate with respect to time since it is always the independent
variable in time-rates :
𝑑𝑉 𝑑ℎ
= 16𝜋
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑ℎ
24 = 16𝜋
𝑑𝑡
𝑑ℎ 24
= = 0.477 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡/𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝑑𝑡 16𝜋
Problem No. 10
A ladder 20 ft long leans against a vertical wall. If the top slides
downward at the rate of 2 ft per sec, find how fast the lower end is
moving when it is 16 ft from the wall?

wall

20 feet

ladder

ground
Solution:

20 ft.
𝑑ℎ
h = −2𝑓𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐
𝑑𝑡

 By Pythagorean Theorem:
(20)2 = ℎ2 + 𝑥 2
 Differentiating with respect to time:
𝑑ℎ 𝑑𝑥
0 = 2ℎ + 2𝑥
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
 𝑑𝑥 𝑑ℎ
𝑥 = −ℎ
𝑑𝑡 𝑑𝑡
𝑑ℎ
 = −2 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐 . The negative sign indicate that the height is
𝑑𝑡
decreasing.
𝑑𝑥
 = 𝑢𝑛𝑘𝑛𝑜𝑤𝑛
𝑑𝑡
 When 𝑥 = 16 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 from wall, ℎ = 12 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 (obtained by
Pythagorean theorem)
𝑑ℎ
𝑑𝑥 −ℎ( 𝑑𝑡 )
 Therefore, =
𝑑𝑡 𝑥
𝑑𝑥 −12(−2) 24
= = = 1.5 feet per sec.
𝑑𝑡 16 16
Problem No. 11.
A man 6 ft tall walks away from a lamp post 16 ft high at the rate of 5
miles per hour. How fast does the end of his shadow move?

Lamp post Light ray

16 ft.
6 ft. man

shadow
Solution:

10 ft.
16 ft.
6 ft.
𝑑𝑥 x s-x
= 5mph
𝑑𝑡 s

 By ratio and proportion:

6 10
=
𝑠−𝑥 𝑥
8
 Solve for s: 𝑠= 𝑥
5
 Differentiate with respect to time:
𝑑𝑠 8 𝑑𝑥 8
= = 5 = 8 𝑚𝑝ℎ
𝑑𝑡 5 𝑑𝑡 5
Problem No. 12.
A boy on a bike rides north 5 km, then turns east. If he rides 10
km/hr, at what rate was his distance to the starting point changing 2
hours after he left that point?

5 km 𝑑𝑠
𝑑𝑡

 By Pythagorean Theorem:
𝑠 = 52 + 𝑥 2
 Differentiating with respect to time:
𝑑𝑠 1 2 2 −1/2
𝑑𝑥
= (5 + 𝑥 ) (2𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
𝑥( 𝑑𝑡 )
=
25+𝑥 2
 Two hours after leaving the starting point, the eastward direction
consumed 1.5 hours since the time spent northward was 0.5 hour.
This is under the condition of uniform motion.
𝑑 5
𝑡= = = 0.5 ℎ𝑟.
𝑟 10
10𝑘𝑚
Hence, 𝑥 = 1.5ℎ𝑟𝑠 = 15 𝑘𝑚
ℎ𝑟
𝑑𝑠 15(10)
 Therefore, = =3 10 = 9.5 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟
𝑑𝑡 25+(15)2
Problem No. 13.
A kite is 40 ft high with 50 ft of cord out. If the kite moves
horizontally at 5 mph directly away from the boy flying it, how fast is
the cord being paid out?

x
𝑑𝑥
= 5𝑚𝑝ℎ
kite kite 𝑑𝑡
→

40 ft. S
cord

Ground level
 By Pythagorean theorem:
𝑠= (40)2 +𝑥 2
𝑑𝑆 1 2 −1/2
𝑑𝑥
= [1600 + 𝑥 ] (2𝑥 )
𝑑𝑡 2 𝑑𝑡
𝑑𝑥
𝑥( 𝑑𝑡 )
=
1600+𝑥 2
 𝑆 = 50 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑔𝑖𝑣𝑒𝑛
𝑥 = (50)2 −(40)2 = 30 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡

 Therefore,
ℎ𝑟
𝑑𝑆 30(5𝑚𝑝ℎ𝑥5280𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡/𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑥3600𝑠𝑒𝑐)
= = 4.4 𝑓𝑒𝑒𝑡/𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑
𝑑𝑡 1600+900