2/4/25, 3:03 PM Application of Differentiation

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Application of Differentiation

2.4 Application of Differentiation

Gradient of Tangent to a Curve at Different Points

The gradient changes at different points on a curve.

The gradient function f ′ (x) is used to determine the gradient of tangent to the curve at any point on the function graph f (x).
For example, for the function f (x) = x2 :
Value of x Gradient Function f ′ (x) = 2x

−2 −4
−1 −2
0 0
1 2
2 4

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2/4/25, 3:03 PM Application of Differentiation

The Equation of Tangent and Normal to a Curve at a Point

Figure of Gradient of Tangent

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2/4/25, 3:03 PM Application of Differentiation

Figure of Tangent and Normal

Description
Based on the above diagram, the formula for the equation of straight line l with gradient m that passes through point P (x1 , y1 ) can be
​

written as:
y − y1 = m(x − x1 )
​ ​

The equation of the tangent is:

y − f (a) = f ′ (a)(x − a)

The line which is perpendicular to the tangent is the normal to the curve y = f (x) at point P (a, f (a)).

If the gradient of the tangent, f ′ (a) exists and is non-zero, the gradient of the normal based on the relation of m1 m2
​ ​
= −1 is:
1
−
f ′ (a)
​

The equation of the normal is:

1
y − f (a) = − (x − a)
f ′ (a)
​

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2/4/25, 3:03 PM Application of Differentiation

Turning Points and Their Nature

Figure

3 Types of Stationary Points

Maximum Point
Turning points.
dy
When x increases through x = c, the value of ​changes sign from positive to negative.
dx
Minimum Point
Turning points.
dy
When x increases through x = a, the value of changes sign from negative to positive.
​

dx
Point of Inflection
This stationary point which is not a maximum or a minimum point.
A point on the curve at which the curvature of the graph changes.
dy
When x increases through x = b, the value of ​does not change in sign.
dx

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2/4/25, 3:03 PM Application of Differentiation

Conditions of Turning Points

Maximum Point
dy d2 y
A turning point on a curve y = f (x) is a maximum point when = 0 and 2 < 0.
dx dx
​ ​

Minimum Point
dy d2 y
A turning point on a curve y = f (x) is a minimum point when = 0 and 2 > 0. ​ ​

dx dx

Change of y and x over time, t

By applying the chain rule concept, if two variables, y and x change with time, t and are related by the equation y = f (x), then the rates of
dy dx
change and can be related by:
dt dt
​ ​

dy dy dx
= ​ × ​ ​

dt dx dt

Determining Small Changes and Approximations of Certain Quantities

If y = f (x) and the small change in x, that is δx causes a small change in y , δy , then:
dy
δy ≈ × δx ​

dx

dy
Since f (x + δx) = y + δy and δy ≈ × δx, then:
​

dx
dy dy
f (x + δx) = y + δx or f (x + δx) = f (x) +
​ δx ​

dx dx

If x changes from x to x + δx, then:

δx
The percentage change in x =
× 100% ​

x
δy
The percentage change in y = × 100% ​

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2/4/25, 3:03 PM Application of Differentiation

Example 1

Question
Find the equation of the tangent and normal to the curve f (x) = x3 − 2x2 + 5 at point P (2, 5).

Solution
Given,

f (x) = x3 − 2x2 + 5.

So,

f ′ (x) = 3x2 − 4x.

At point P (2, 5),

Gradient of the tangent:

f ′ (2) = 3(2)2 − 4(2)

= 3(4) − 8
​ ​

= 4.

Equation of the tangent:

y − 5 = 4(x − 2)
y − 5 = 4x − 8
y = 4x − 8 + 5
​ ​

y = 4x − 3.

Gradient of the normal at point P (2, 5):

mT mN = −1
​ ​

(4)mN = −1 ​

1
​ ​

mN = − .
4
​ ​

Equation of the normal:

1
y − 5 = − (x − 2)
4
​

1 1
y−5=− x+
4 2
​ ​

1 1
​ ​

y =− x+ +5
4 2
​ ​

1 11
y =− x+ .
4 2
​ ​

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2/4/25, 3:03 PM Application of Differentiation

Example 2

Question
Given y = x3 , find

(a) the approximate change in y when x increases from 4 to 4.05,

(b) the approximate change in x when y decreases from 8 to 7.97.

Solution
(a)

y = x3 ,
dy
= 3x2 .
dx
​

When x = 4,

δx = 4.05 − 4
= 0.05

dy
= 3(4)2
​

dx
= 48 ​

dy
δy ≈ × δx
dx
​

= 48 × 0.05
δy = 2.4.

Therefore, the approximate change in y , δy is 2.4.

δy > 0 means there is a small increase in y of 2.4.

(b)

When y = 8,

x3 = 8
x=2

δy = 7.97 − 8
= −0.03

dy
= 3(2)2
dx
​

= 12

dy
δy ≈
× δx ​

dx
−0.03 = 12 × δx
−0.03
δx =
12
​

δx = −0.0025.

Therefore, the approximate change in x, δx is −0.0025.

δx < 0 means there is a small decrease in x of 0.0025.

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