12MM: TOPIC 5 – APPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS

A: STATIONARY POINTS AND CURVE SKETCHING

Differentiation can be used to find stationary points of functions and thus help with curve sketching.
When 𝑓 ! (𝑥) = 0, 𝑓(𝑥) is neither increasing nor decreasing i.e., the graph has a stationary point.

A stationary point is a point on a curve, !𝑎, 𝑓(𝑎)' where 𝑓′(𝑎) = 0

Remember:
!"
If !# > 0, then 𝑦 is increasing as 𝑥 increases.
!"
If !#
< 0, then 𝑦 is decreasing as 𝑥 increases.

Types of stationary points

Minimum turning point

Maximum turning point

Horizontal points of inflexion

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 1

 Using 𝒇′′(𝒙) to investigate curve properties for 𝒇(𝒙) (NOT OFFICIALLY IN THE STUDY DESIGN)
An inflection point (can be written as inflexion) is a point on a curve at which there is a change of curvature or shape.
The two basic curve shapes are:

Concave downwards Concave upwards

𝒇’(𝒙) is decreasing, 𝒇’’(𝒙) < 𝟎 𝒇’(𝒙) is increasing, 𝒇’’(𝒙) > 𝟎

An inflection point is where 𝑓’’(𝑥) = 0

i.e. there is a ‘change in concavity’ from up to down or from down to up

Notes:
- If the gradient of the tangent at the point of inflection is not horizontal (i.e. 𝑓 ‘(𝑥) ¹ 0) it is called a non-
horizontal inflection.
- To verify / prove inflection points use a sign diagram to show that there is a change in sign of 𝑓 ‘’(𝑥) i.e. a
change in concavity.

Example:

Summary of stationary points and inflection points:

NOTE: Concavity can be used to explain over and under estimations with area approximation using Trapezium method.
2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 2
 Note: Not all points of inflection are stationary points. A point where a curve changes from concave up to concave
down or from concave down to concave up is called a point of inflection.

Consider the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 " + 𝑥

Example 1
Consider 𝑦 = 𝑥 " (𝑥 − 3).
a. Find the coordinates of the stationary points and their type(nature)
b. Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 " (𝑥 − 3)

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Calculator Use
Once you have sketched the graph, you can use Analyze Graph or Trace to find:
• The minimum turning point.
• The x-intercept(s) using zero.
You must be able to use your calculator effectively.

Example 2
Consider the function 𝒇(𝒙) = (𝒙 − 𝒂)𝟐 (𝒙 − 𝒃), where a and b are positive constants with 𝒃 > 𝒂
a. Find the derivative of 𝑓(𝑥) with respect to 𝑥 using your calculator.
b. Find the coordinates of the stationary points of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥).

Example 3
Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) if, 𝑓′(𝑥) < 0 for 𝑥 < 1, 𝑓 ! (1) = 0 and 𝑓 ! (𝑥) > 0 for 𝑥 > 1 and 𝑓(1) = 4

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 4

Example 4
For the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " + 𝑎𝑥 $ + 𝑏𝑥 + 1, find the relationship between 𝑎 and 𝑏 IF 𝑓(𝑥) has.
a. One stationary point

b. No stationary points

Example 5
The graph of function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " + 𝑏𝑥 $ + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑, has a stationary point at (1,0) and a 𝑦 −intercept at (0, −3).
Find the values of 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑.

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B: STATIONARY POINTS FROM THE GRADIENT FUNCTION GRAPH
Remember from the last section that for
• a maximum turning point, the gradient is positive → zero → negative.
• a minimum turning point, the gradient is negative → zero → positive.

Example 6
The graph below shows the graph of the gradient function 𝑦 = 𝑓 ′(𝑥) for some function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)
What is the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥)?

Example 7
The graph of a gradient function is shown below. Find the 𝑥 values of the stationary points and state their nature.

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Example 8
Sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) which has the following properties.
• 𝑓(0) = 0
• 𝑓′(0) = 0
• 𝑓′(𝑥) < 0, for 𝑥 < 0
• 𝑓′(𝑥) > 0, for 𝑥 > 0

Example 9
The curve with equation 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎𝑥 " + 𝑏𝑥 $ + 𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑 has 𝑥-intercepts of – 3 and 2.
It has a minimum turning point at (2, 0). If 𝑓(0) = 12, use your calculator to find the values of 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 and 𝑑.

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C: TANGENTS AND NORMALS

EQUATIONS OF TANGENTS AND NORMALS

A tangent to a curve is a straight line that touches the curve at a given point (𝑎, 𝑓(𝑎))

A normal to a curve is a straight line passing through the point where the tangent touches the curve that is
perpendicular to the tangent.

The gradient of the tangent to the curve at 𝑥 = 𝑎 is equal to 𝑓’(𝑎)

%
The gradient of the normal to the curve at 𝑥 = 𝑎 is equal to −
&’())

Since, 𝑚+),-.,+ × 𝑚,012)3 = −1 as they are perpendicular to each other.

The equation of a straight line through the point (𝑥% , 𝑦% ) having a gradient of 𝑚 is 𝑦 − 𝑦% = 𝑚(𝑥 − 𝑥% )

The equation of the tangent to the curve at point 𝑥 = 𝑎 is 𝑦 − 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓’(𝑎)(𝑥 − 𝑎)

%
The equation of the normal to the curve at point 𝑥 = 𝑎 is 𝑦 − 𝑓(𝑎) = − &’()) (𝑥 − 𝑎)

Example 10
Find the equation of the tangent and normal to the curve with equation 𝑦 = 𝑥 $ − 4𝑥 + 4 at the point
where 𝑥 = 3

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Calculator Use
In the Calculus menu go to tangentLine and normalLine.

Example 11
Find the coordinates of the points on the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 " + 𝑥 $ − 2𝑥 + 1 where the tangent is parallel to the line 𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 8

Example 12
Find the equation of the normal to the curve 𝑦 = √𝑥 $ − 16 that is parallel to 3𝑥 + 5𝑦 − 7 = 0

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 9

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 10
Example 13
!
Find the equation of the tangent of to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " , where 𝑥 = 0

Example 14
#
Find the equation of the tangent of to the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " , where 𝑥 = 0

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D: MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM PROBLEMS (OPTIMISATION)

MAXIMA AND MINIMA

The derivative function can be used to find the maximum and minimum turning points of a graph, but these do not
necessarily give the maximum or minimum value of a function. If the function has a restricted domain, the max/min
values may occur at an end point.

The maximum or minimum values of a function are often called the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values.

Example 15
%
Find the maximum and minimum values of 𝑓(𝑥) = " 𝑥 " − 4𝑥 $ + 12𝑥 + 1, 0 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 7

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Using CAS to find maximum and minimum values.
First define the function, including any domain restrictions.

Fmax à finds the absolute maximum 𝑥 – value

Fmin à finds the absolute minimum 𝑥 – value

Remember that the CAS gives the 𝒙 value that corresponds to the maximum or minimum.
You must then find the 𝒚 value as this is the max/min value.

Graphical Approach

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Example 16
The sum of two numbers is 24. Find the numbers such that their product is a maximum.

Example 17
A piece of wire 48 cm long is cut into 2 pieces. One piece is bent to form a square of side length 𝑥 cm and the other is
bent to form a circle.

a. Express the sum of the areas in terms of 𝑥.

b. Find the value of x for which the total area enclosed is a minimum.

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Example 18
A closed box in the shape of a cuboid has a total surface area of 400 cm$ . The length of the base of the box is four
times its width.

$44567 #
a. Show that ℎ = 87

94475%:7 "
b. Show that the volume is 𝑉 = 8

c. Find the dimensions of the largest possible box.

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Example 19 (Student Attempt)
An open top cylindrical can has a total surface are of 400 cm$ .

6445;1 #
a. Show that ℎ = $;1

;1 "
b. Hence, show that 𝑉 = 200𝑟 −
$

c. What is the maximum volume of the can?

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Example 20 (CAS)
Consider the parabola 𝑦 = 𝑥 $ and the point (3,0) as shown.
a. Show that 𝑑 = √𝑥 6 + 𝑥 $ − 6𝑥 + 9

The distance between two points 𝐴 (𝑥1, 𝑦1 ) and 𝐵 (𝑥2 , 𝑦2)

)can
be found using AB = 2 1 2 1

b. Which point on the parabola is closest to the point (3, 0)?

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Example 21
A rower is in a boat 4 km from the nearest point, 𝑂, on a straight beach. His destination is 8 km along the beach from 𝑂.
If he is able to row at 5 km/h and walk at 8 km/h, what point on the beach should he aim for in order to reach his
destination in the least possible time?
Give your answer correct to one decimal place.

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E: RATES OF CHANGE (Not to be confused with average rate change coming up in topic 8)

Average Rate of Change between points P and Q is given by the gradient of the line that passes through P and Q.

<# 5<!
Average rate of change = 7# 57!

Instantaneous Rate of Change of a function at a point P is given by the gradient of the tangent to the graph at P.

Instantaneous rate of change at 𝑥 = 𝑎 is equal to 𝑓′(𝑎)

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 19

Example 22
"
The amount of water, 𝑊 litres, present in a tank at time 𝑡 minutes is given by 𝑊 = + , 𝑡 ≥ 0.5. Find:
a. The average rate of change of 𝑊 between 𝑡 = 1 and 𝑡 = 5.
b. The rate of change of when t = 5

Example 23
A function has the rule 𝑓(𝑥) = 3𝑥 $ − 2𝑥 + 5
a. Find the average rate of change between 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 3
b. Find the instantaneous rate of change at 𝑥 = 5

Attempt Examples 24 – 28 before the next lesson.

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F: Applications of Differential Calculus

Example 24
Tasmania Jones intends to build a super roller-coaster ride, a part of the plan of which is shown on the diagram
below. The ride is different from other rides in that part of the ride (from O to B) is through an underground tunnel.
He has submitted his plan to the local council.

( )

𝟏
The track of the ride follows the curve with equation 𝒚 = 𝟕𝟐𝟎 ]𝒙𝟑 + 𝟐𝟎𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟓𝟎𝟎𝒙a from A to B. C is the highest
point of the ride and D is the lowest point of the tunnel.
All distances are measured in metres and the equation of the curve is based on the pair of axes shown in the diagram
above.

1. Factorise 𝑥 " + 20𝑥 $ − 1500𝑥. (2 marks)

2. Hence, state the coordinate of A and B. (2 marks)

3. Show that the maximum height above the ground reached by the roller coaster is 50 metres. (3 marks)

2023 Topic 5 Student Notes 21

4. Find the greatest depth below the ground of the roller coaster as it passes through the tunnel from O to B.
State your answer to the nearest metre. (2 marks)

5. Find the value of the average gradient of the roller-coaster between C and D, correct to one decimal place.
(1 mark)

6. Find the gradient of the track, correct to two decimal places, as it (1+1 =2 marks)
i. enters the tunnel at O
ii. leaves the tunnel at B.

2023 Topic 5 Student Notes 22

Example 25
A container in the shape of an inverted right cone of radius 2 cm and depth 5 cm is being filled with water.
The depth of the water is ℎ cm the radius of the water level is 𝑟 cm.

a. Use similar triangles to express 𝑟 in terms of ℎ.

b. Express the volume as a function of ℎ

c. At what rate with respect to the depth of the water is the volume of the water changing when its depth is
1 cm?

2023 Topic 5 Student Notes 23

Example 26 (CAS)
$+
A colony of viruses can be modelled by the rule 𝑁(𝑡) = (+A4.8)# + 0.5,
where, 𝑁 hundred thousand is the number of viruses on a nutrient plate 𝑡 hours after they started multiplying.

a. How many viruses were present initially?

b. Find 𝑁′(𝑡)

c. What is the maximum number of viruses and when will this maximum occur?

d. At what rate were the virus numbers changes after 10 hours?

2023 Topic 5 Student Notes 24

Example 27 (CAS)
Water is being poured into a vase, The volume 𝑉 mL of water in the vase after 𝑡 seconds is given by
2
𝑉 = 𝑡 $ (15 − 𝑡), 0 ≤ 𝑡 ≤ 10
3
a. What is the volume at 𝑡 = 10 seconds?

b. At what rate is the water flowing into the vase at t seconds?

c. At what rate is the water flowing into the vase at 𝑡 = 3 seconds?

d. When is the rate of flow the greatest, and what is the rate of flow at this time? (Correct to 1 decimal place)

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Example 28 CAS
A vet has administered painkiller to a sick horse. The concentration of pain killer in the blood 𝐶 mg/L , 𝑡 hours after
"+
the medication is administered is given by 𝐶(𝑡) = (6A+ # )
a. Find 𝐶′(𝑡)

b. What is the maximum concentration of the painkiller in the blood and at what time is this achieved?

c. The effect of the painkiller is reduced when the concentration falls below 0.5 mg/L, when a second dose needs to
be given. When does this occur? (2 dp)

d. Find the rate of change of concentration of painkiller in the blood after one hour, correct to 2 decimal places.

e. When is the rate of change of painkiller in the blood equal to -0.06 mg/L/hour? Give your answer correct to two
decimal places.

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 26

G: Newton’s method for finding solutions to equations

Newton's method is used for finding approximate solutions to equations of the form 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝟎
The method involves finding the tangent at successive points on the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒇(𝒙)

Newton-Raphson Method of Approximation

The Newton-Raphson method (named after Isaac Newton and Joseph Raphson) is a way of finding successively
better approximations to the roots of a real valued function. It is a numerical method for solving equations
iteratively.

It involves using the x-intercepts of tangent lines to best approximate the roots or solutions of a curve.
The method involves using the 𝑥-intercept of a tangent to the graph of the function to determine another 𝑥-value to
find another tangent to find another 𝑥-intercept.

The gradient of the tangent is equal to the derivative of the function and change in 𝑦 over change in 𝑥.

𝒇(𝒙𝟎 ) − 𝟎
𝒇! (𝒙𝟎 ) =
𝒙𝟎 − 𝒙𝟏

Rearranging this equation:

𝑓(𝑥4 )
𝑥4 − 𝑥% =
𝑓′(𝑥4 )

𝑓(𝑥4 )
𝑥% = 𝑥4 −
𝑓′(𝑥4 )

Generalising this equation for the 𝑛th and 𝑛 + 1th 𝑥-value, 𝑥, is an approximation a solution of 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 and if 𝑓′(𝑥, ) ≠
0 the next approximation is given by

𝑓(𝑥, )
𝑥,A% = 𝑥, − , Where, 𝑛 = 0, 1, 2 …
𝑓 ! (𝑥, )
Repeatedly find better approximations and stop when you have two successive approximations to a given number of
decimal places.

The initial 𝑥 value, 𝑥4 , is

• given,
• determined from a quick sketch of the graph as an approximation to the root, or.
Taken as the midpoint of an interval known to contain the root.

Newton's Method on CAS

Define 𝑓(𝑥) as the function you want to obtain the roots of
Type your initial 𝑥 value, 𝑥4 , press EXE/ENTER
&(7)
Type 𝑥 − $ |𝑥 = ans,then repeatedly press EXE/ENTER
C&(7)D
$%

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 27

Example 29 (CAS)
Use Newton’s method to calculate the root of the equation 𝑥 " − 𝑥 $ − 2 = 0 with starting value 𝑥4 = 2.
Express your answer to an accuracy of 4 decimal places.

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 28

Example 30 (CAS)

Use Newton’s method to obtain the root of 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 " + 4𝑥 $ − 3𝑥 − 3 between 𝑥 = −1 and 𝑥 = 0 to four
decimal places.

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 29

Example 31 (CAS)

Use the Newton’s method to obtain the root of 𝑓(𝑡) = 3𝑒 + − 5 − 8𝑒 5+ 𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡 = 0 and 𝑡 = 1 to four
decimal places. 𝑓 !(+) = 3𝑒 + + 8𝑒 5+ .

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 30

Example 32 (CAS)

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Flaws with Newton's Method

Newton's method has flaws: it can stop early, approach the wrong root, or get stuck in a loop.

•A terminating sequence will occur if you choose a value of 𝑥, or reach a value of 𝑥, that is a stationary point.
That is, 𝑓′(𝑥) = 0 since the denominator cannot be 0.

•A sequence that approaches the wrong root will occur if 𝑥4 if on the wrong side of a nearby stationary point
as the tangent will not point in the direction of desired root.

•An oscillating sequence will occur if the tangent at 𝑥 = 𝑎 crosses the 𝑥-axis at a point 𝑥 = 𝑏 such that the
tangent at 𝑥 = 𝑏 crosses the 𝑥-axis at 𝑥 = 𝑎.

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 32

Example 33

Example 34 (CAS)

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 33

RETRIEVAL PRACTICE
1.

2.

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3.

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4.

5.

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SETWORK

LESSON QUESTIONS

A: STATIONARY POINTS AND CURVE SKETCHING Pg 426 - Ex 10C: Q1eso, Q3, Q5, Q6
Pg 433 – Ex 10D: Q1 – 3 (eso), Q5, Q8, Q9 Q10
Pg 453 – Ex 10G: Q1, Q2
B: STATIONARY POINTS FROM THE GRADIENT Pg 433 – Ex 10D: Q12, Q13, Q23, Q24, Q25, Q27
FUNCTION GRAPH *complete extra question below.
C: TANGENTS AND NORMALS Pg 417 – Ex 10A: Q1, Q4, Q5, Q6 (eso), Q8 (eso),
Q12 (eso)
Pg 453 – Ex 10G: Q4, Q5
D: MAXIMUM & MINIMUM PROBLEMS Pg 449 – Ex 10F: Q2, Q4, Q5, Q8, Q9
Pg 439 – Ex 10E: Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q7, Q13
E: SINGLE RATES OF CHANGE Pg 421 – Ex 10B: Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4, Q5, Q6
F: APPLICATIONS PRACTICE Pg 464 – Extended Response (Do as many as you
can)
Q1 – Q11, Q13 -16, Q18 – Q21, Q23, Q25 – Q27,
Q29 – Q31,
Pg 451 – Ex 10F: Q15
G: NEWTON’S METHODS Pg 458 – Ex 10H: Q1 – Q7
extra sheet on next page

B: STATIONARY POINTS FROM THE GRADIENT FUNCTION GRAPH - Extra Question

Sketch the position of the continuous curve with equation y = f(x) indicated by the properties

a. 𝑓(−4) = 0, 𝑓(−2) = 0, 𝑓(2) = 0, 𝑓 ′(−3) = 0, 𝑓 ′(1) = 0,

𝑓 ′(𝑥) > 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 {𝑥: 𝑥 < −3} 𝑈 {𝑥 ∶ 𝑥 > 1}, 𝑓 ′(𝑥) < 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 {𝑥 ∶ −3 < 𝑥 < 1}

b. 𝑓(1) = 0, 𝑓 ′(2) = 0, 𝑓 ′(𝑥) > 0 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥 !𝑅\{2}, 𝑓(0) = −3

2025 Topic 5 Student Notes 37

Newton’s Method: Extra Sheet
Question 1

Use Newton’s method to find the greatest root of f(x) = x − 4x − 2x + 4 to four decimal places. Take the
3 2

initial guess to be x 0 = 4.5 .

Question 2

Find the root of f(x) = 2x − 4x + 5x − 7 to four decimal places using the Newton-Raphson iteration technique.
3 2

Take the initial guess to be x 0 = 1 .

Question 3

The function f(x) = x − 7x + 7 has two roots on the interval x ∈[1,2] . Find these two roots to four decimal
3

places.

Question 4

Find the square root of 17 to 4 decimal places using Newton’s method. Take the initial guess to be x 0 = 4 .

Hint: Let f(x) = x − 17

2

Question 5

Find the cube root of 28 to 4 decimal places using Newton’s method.

Answers
1. 4.2491
2. 1.7263
3. 1.3569, 1.6920
4. 4.1231
5. 3.0366

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