194 MATHEMATICS

Chapter 6
APPLICATION OF
DERIVATIVES
 With the Calculus as a key, Mathematics can be successfully applied
to the explanation of the course of Nature.” — WHITEHEAD 

6.1 Introduction
In Chapter 5, we have learnt how to find derivative of composite functions, inverse
trigonometric functions, implicit functions, exponential functions and logarithmic functions.
In this chapter, we will study applications of the derivative in various disciplines, e.g., in
engineering, science, social science, and many other fields. For instance, we will learn
how the derivative can be used (i) to determine rate of change of quantities, (ii) to find
the equations of tangent and normal to a curve at a point, (iii) to find turning points on
the graph of a function which in turn will help us to locate points at which largest or
smallest value (locally) of a function occurs. We will also use derivative to find intervals
on which a function is increasing or decreasing. Finally, we use the derivative to find
approximate value of certain quantities.
6.2 Rate of Change of Quantities
ds
Recall that by the derivative , we mean the rate of change of distance s with
dt
respect to the time t. In a similar fashion, whenever one quantity y varies with another
dy
quantity x, satisfying some rule y = f ( x ) , then (or f ′ (x)) represents the rate of
dx
dy 
change of y with respect to x and dx  (or f ′ (x0)) represents the rate of change
x = x0

of y with respect to x at x = x0 .
Further, if two variables x and y are varying with respect to another variable t, i.e.,
if x = f (t ) and y = g (t ) , then by Chain Rule
dy dy dx dx
= , if ≠0
dx dt dt dt

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Thus, the rate of change of y with respect to x can be calculated using the rate of
change of y and that of x both with respect to t.
Let us consider some examples.
Example 1 Find the rate of change of the area of a circle per second with respect to
its radius r when r = 5 cm.
Solution The area A of a circle with radius r is given by A = πr2. Therefore, the rate
dA d
of change of the area A with respect to its radius r is given by = ( π r 2 ) = 2π r .
dr dr
dA
When r = 5 cm, = 10π . Thus, the area of the circle is changing at the rate of
dr
10π cm2/s.
Example 2 The volume of a cube is increasing at a rate of 9 cubic centimetres per
second. How fast is the surface area increasing when the length of an edge is 10
centimetres ?
Solution Let x be the length of a side, V be the volume and S be the surface area of
the cube. Then, V = x3 and S = 6x2, where x is a function of time t.
dV
Now = 9cm3/s (Given)
dt
dV d 3 d dx
Therefore 9= = ( x ) = ( x3 ) ⋅ (By Chain Rule)
dt dt dx dt
dx
= 3x ⋅
2
dt
dx 3
or = 2 ... (1)
dt x
dS d d dx
Now = (6 x 2 ) = (6 x 2 ) ⋅ (By Chain Rule)
dt dt dx dt

 3  36
= 12x ⋅  2  = (Using (1))
x  x
dS
Hence, when x = 10 cm, = 3.6 cm 2 /s
dt

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196 MATHEMATICS

Example 3 A stone is dropped into a quiet lake and waves move in circles at a speed
of 4cm per second. At the instant, when the radius of the circular wave is 10 cm, how
fast is the enclosed area increasing?
Solution The area A of a circle with radius r is given by A = πr2. Therefore, the rate
of change of area A with respect to time t is
dA d d dr dr
= (π r 2 ) = (π r 2 ) ⋅ = 2π r (By Chain Rule)
dt dt dr dt dt
dr
It is given that = 4cm/s
dt
dA
Therefore, when r = 10 cm, = 2π (10) (4) = 80π
dt
Thus, the enclosed area is increasing at the rate of 80π cm2/s, when r = 10 cm.
dy
Note dx
is positive if y increases as x increases and is negative if y decreases
as x increases.

Example 4 The length x of a rectangle is decreasing at the rate of 3 cm/minute and

the width y is increasing at the rate of 2cm/minute. When x =10cm and y = 6cm, find
the rates of change of (a) the perimeter and (b) the area of the rectangle.
Solution Since the length x is decreasing and the width y is increasing with respect to
time, we have
dx dy
= −3 cm/min and = 2 cm/min
dt dt
(a) The perimeter P of a rectangle is given by
P = 2 (x + y)
dP  dx dy 
Therefore = 2  +  = 2 ( −3 + 2) = −2 cm/min
dt  dt dt 
(b) The area A of the rectangle is given by
A=x . y
dA dx dy
Therefore = ⋅ y + x⋅
dt dt dt
= – 3(6) + 10(2) (as x = 10 cm and y = 6 cm)
= 2 cm2/min

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Example 5 The total cost C(x) in Rupees, associated with the production of x units of
an item is given by
C (x) = 0.005 x3 – 0.02 x2 + 30x + 5000
Find the marginal cost when 3 units are produced, where by marginal cost we
mean the instantaneous rate of change of total cost at any level of output.
Solution Since marginal cost is the rate of change of total cost with respect to the
output, we have
dC
Marginal cost (MC) = = 0.005(3x 2 ) − 0.02(2 x ) + 30
dx
x = 3, MC = 0.015(3 ) − 0.04(3) + 30
2
When
= 0.135 – 0.12 + 30 = 30.015
Hence, the required marginal cost is  30.02 (nearly).
Example 6 The total revenue in Rupees received from the sale of x units of a product
is given by R(x) = 3x2 + 36x + 5. Find the marginal revenue, when x = 5, where by
marginal revenue we mean the rate of change of total revenue with respect to the
number of items sold at an instant.
Solution Since marginal revenue is the rate of change of total revenue with respect to
the number of units sold, we have
dR
Marginal Revenue (MR) = = 6 x + 36
dx
When x = 5, MR = 6(5) + 36 = 66
Hence, the required marginal revenue is  66.

EXERCISE 6.1
1. Find the rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r when
(a) r = 3 cm (b) r = 4 cm
2. The volume of a cube is increasing at the rate of 8 cm3/s. How fast is the
surface area increasing when the length of an edge is 12 cm?
3. The radius of a circle is increasing uniformly at the rate of 3 cm/s. Find the rate
at which the area of the circle is increasing when the radius is 10 cm.
4. An edge of a variable cube is increasing at the rate of 3 cm/s. How fast is the
volume of the cube increasing when the edge is 10 cm long?
5. A stone is dropped into a quiet lake and waves move in circles at the speed of
5 cm/s. At the instant when the radius of the circular wave is 8 cm, how fast is
the enclosed area increasing?

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6. The radius of a circle is increasing at the rate of 0.7 cm/s. What is the rate of
increase of its circumference?
7. The length x of a rectangle is decreasing at the rate of 5 cm/minute and the
width y is increasing at the rate of 4 cm/minute. When x = 8cm and y = 6cm, find
the rates of change of (a) the perimeter, and (b) the area of the rectangle.
8. A balloon, which always remains spherical on inflation, is being inflated by pumping
in 900 cubic centimetres of gas per second. Find the rate at which the radius of
the balloon increases when the radius is 15 cm.
9. A balloon, which always remains spherical has a variable radius. Find the rate at
which its volume is increasing with the radius when the later is 10 cm.
10. A ladder 5 m long is leaning against a wall. The bottom of the ladder is pulled
along the ground, away from the wall, at the rate of 2cm/s. How fast is its height
on the wall decreasing when the foot of the ladder is 4 m away from the wall ?
11. A particle moves along the curve 6y = x3 +2. Find the points on the curve at
which the y-coordinate is changing 8 times as fast as the x-coordinate.
1
12. The radius of an air bubble is increasing at the rate of cm/s. At what rate is the
2
volume of the bubble increasing when the radius is 1 cm?
3
13. A balloon, which always remains spherical, has a variable diameter (2 x + 1) .
2
Find the rate of change of its volume with respect to x.
14. Sand is pouring from a pipe at the rate of 12 cm3/s. The falling sand forms a cone
on the ground in such a way that the height of the cone is always one-sixth of the
radius of the base. How fast is the height of the sand cone increasing when the
height is 4 cm?
15. The total cost C (x) in Rupees associated with the production of x units of an
item is given by
C (x) = 0.007x3 – 0.003x2 + 15x + 4000.
Find the marginal cost when 17 units are produced.
16. The total revenue in Rupees received from the sale of x units of a product is
given by
R (x) = 13x2 + 26x + 15.
Find the marginal revenue when x = 7.
Choose the correct answer for questions 17 and 18.
17. The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r at r = 6 cm is
(A) 10π (B) 12π (C) 8π (D) 11π

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18. The total revenue in Rupees received from the sale of x units of a product is
given by
R(x) = 3x2 + 36x + 5. The marginal revenue, when x = 15 is
(A) 116 (B) 96 (C) 90 (D) 126
6.3 Increasing and Decreasing Functions
In this section, we will use differentiation to find out whether a function is increasing or
decreasing or none.
Consider the function f given by f (x) = x2, x ∈ R. The graph of this function is a
parabola as given in Fig 6.1.
Values left to origin Values right to origin
x f (x) = x2 x f (x) = x2

–2 4 0 0
3 9 1 1
−
2 4 2 4
–1 1 1 1
1 1 3 9
−
2 4 2 4
0 0 2 4
as we move from left to right, the as we move from left to right, the
height of the graph decreases height of the graph increases
Fig 6.1
First consider the graph (Fig 6.1) to the right of the origin. Observe that as we
move from left to right along the graph, the height of the graph continuously increases.
For this reason, the function is said to be increasing for the real numbers x > 0.
Now consider the graph to the left of the origin and observe here that as we move
from left to right along the graph, the height of the graph continuously decreases.
Consequently, the function is said to be decreasing for the real numbers x < 0.
We shall now give the following analytical definitions for a function which is
increasing or decreasing on an interval.
Definition 1 Let I be an interval contained in the domain of a real valued function f.
Then f is said to be
(i) increasing on I if x1 < x2 in I ⇒f (x1) < f (x2) for all x1, x2 ∈ I.
(ii) decreasing on I, if x1, x2 in I ⇒f (x1) < f (x2) for all x1, x2 ∈ I.
(iii) constant on I, if f(x) = c for all x ∈ I, where c is a constant.
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(iv) decreasing on I if x1 < x2 in I ⇒ f (x1) ≥ f (x2) for all x1, x2 ∈ I.

(v) strictly decreasing on I if x1 < x2 in I ⇒ f (x1) > f (x2) for all x1, x2 ∈ I.
For graphical representation of such functions see Fig 6.2.

Strictly Increasing function Strictly Decreasing function Neither Increasing nor

(i) (ii) Decreasing function
(iii)
Fig 6.2
We shall now define when a function is increasing or decreasing at a point.
Definition 2 Let x0 be a point in the domain of definition of a real valued function f.
Then f is said to be increasing, decreasing at x0 if there exists an open interval I
containing x0 such that f is increasing, decreasing, respectively, in I.
Let us clarify this definition for the case of increasing function.

Example 7 Show that the function given by f (x) = 7x – 3 is increasing on R.

Solution Let x1 and x2 be any two numbers in R. Then
x1 < x2 ⇒ 7x1 < 7x2 ⇒ 7x1 – 3 < 7x2 – 3 ⇒ f (x1) < f (x2)
Thus, by Definition 1, it follows that f is strictly increasing on R.
We shall now give the first derivative test for increasing and decreasing functions.
The proof of this test requires the Mean Value Theorem studied in Chapter 5.
Theorem 1 Let f be continuous on [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval
(a,b). Then
(a) f is increasing in [a,b] if f ′(x) > 0 for each x ∈ (a, b)
(b) f is decreasing in [a,b] if f ′(x) < 0 for each x ∈ (a, b)
(c) f is a constant function in [a,b] if f ′(x) = 0 for each x ∈ (a, b)

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 201

Proof (a) Let x1, x2 ∈ [a, b] be such that x1 < x2.

Then, by Mean Value Theorem (Theorem 8 in Chapter 5), there exists a point c
between x1 and x2 such that
f (x2) – f (x1) = f ′(c) (x2 – x1)
i.e. f (x2) – f (x1) > 0 (as f ′(c) > 0 (given))
i.e. f (x2) > f (x 1)
Thus, we have
x1 < x2 f ( x1 ) f ( x2 ), for all x1 , x2 [ a, b ]
Hence, f is an increasing function in [a,b].
The proofs of part (b) and (c) are similar. It is left as an exercise to the reader.

Remarks
There is a more generalised theorem, which states that if f¢(x) > 0 for x in an interval
excluding the end points and f is continuous in the interval, then f is increasing. Similarly,
if f¢(x) < 0 for x in an interval excluding the end points and f is continuous in the
interval, then f is decreasing.

Example 8 Show that the function f given by

f (x) = x3 – 3x2 + 4x, x ∈ R
is increasing on R.
Solution Note that
f ′(x) = 3x2 – 6x + 4
= 3(x2 – 2x + 1) + 1
= 3(x – 1)2 + 1 > 0, in every interval of R
Therefore, the function f is increasing on R.

Example 9 Prove that the function given by f (x) = cos x is

(a) decreasing in (0, π)
(b) increasing in (π, 2π), and
(c) neither increasing nor decreasing in (0, 2π).

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202 MATHEMATICS

Solution Note that f ′(x) = – sin x

(a) Since for each x ∈ (0, π), sin x > 0, we have f ′(x) < 0 and so f is decreasing in
(0, π).
(b) Since for each x ∈ (π, 2π), sin x < 0, we have f ′(x) > 0 and so f is increasing in
(π, 2π).
(c) Clearly by (a) and (b) above, f is neither increasing nor decreasing in (0, 2π).

Example 10 Find the intervals in which the function f given by f (x) = x2 – 4x + 6 is

(a) increasing (b) decreasing

Solution We have
f (x) = x2 – 4x + 6
Fig 6.3
or f ′(x) = 2x – 4
Therefore, f ′(x) = 0 gives x = 2. Now the point x = 2 divides the real line into two
disjoint intervals namely, (– ∞, 2) and (2, ∞) (Fig 6.3). In the interval (– ∞, 2), f ′(x) = 2x
– 4 < 0.
Therefore, f is decreasing in this interval. Also, in the interval (2, ∞) , f ′ ( x) > 0
and so the function f is increasing in this interval.

Example 11 Find the intervals in which the function f given by f (x) = 4x3 – 6x2 – 72x
+ 30 is (a) increasing (b) decreasing.

Solution We have
f (x) = 4x3 – 6x2 – 72x + 30
or f ′(x) = 12x2 – 12x – 72
= 12(x2 – x – 6)
= 12(x – 3) (x + 2)
Therefore, f ′(x) = 0 gives x = – 2, 3. The
points x = – 2 and x = 3 divides the real line into
three disjoint intervals, namely, (– ∞, – 2), (– 2, 3) Fig 6.4
and (3, ∞).

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 203

In the intervals (– ∞, – 2) and (3, ∞), f ′(x) is positive while in the interval (– 2, 3),
f ′(x) is negative. Consequently, the function f is increasing in the intervals
(– ∞, – 2) and (3, ∞) while the function is decreasing in the interval (– 2, 3). However,
f is neither increasing nor decreasing in R.

Interval Sign of f ′(x) Nature of function f

(– ∞, – 2) (–) (–) > 0 f is increasing

(– 2, 3) (–) (+) < 0 f is decreasing

(3, ∞) (+) (+) > 0 f is increasing

 π
Example 12 Find intervals in which the function given by f (x) = sin 3x, x ∈ 0,  is
 2
(a) increasing (b) decreasing.
Solution We have
f (x) = sin 3x
or f ′(x) = 3cos 3x
π 3π  π
Therefore, f ′(x) = 0 gives cos 3x = 0 which in turn gives 3x = , (as x ∈  0, 
2 2  2
 3π  π π π  π
implies 3x ∈ 0,  ). So x = and . The point x = divides the interval  0, 
 2 6 2 6  2
 π  π π
into two disjoint intervals 0,  and  ,  .
 6   6 2
Fig 6.5
 π π π
Now, f ′ ( x) > 0 for all x ∈ 0,  as 0 ≤ x <  0 ≤ 3 x < and f ′ ( x) < 0 for
 6 6 2
π π π π π 3 π
all x ∈  ,  as < x <  < 3x < .
6 2 6 2 2 2
 π π π
Therefore, f is increasing in 0,  and decreasing in  , .
 6 6 2

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204 MATHEMATICS

π
Also, the given function is continuous at x = 0 and x = . Therefore, by Theorem 1,
6

 π π π
f is increasing on  0,  and decreasing on  ,  .
 6 6 2

Example 13 Find the intervals in which the function f given by

f (x) = sin x + cos x, 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
is increasing or decreasing.

Solution We have
f(x) = sin x + cos x,
or f ′(x) = cos x – sin x
π 5π
Now f ′ ( x) = 0 gives sin x = cos x which gives that x = , as 0 ≤ x ≤ 2π
4 4

π 5π
The points x = and x = divide the interval [0, 2π] into three disjoint intervals,
4 4

 π  π 5π   5π 
namely, 0,  ,
 4  ,  and  , 2π  .
4 4  4 
Fig 6.6

 π   5π 
Note that f ′( x) > 0 if x ∈ 0,  ∪  , 2π 
 4  4 

 π  5π 
or f is increasing in the intervals 0,  and  , 2π 
 4  4 

 π 5π 
Also f ′ ( x ) < 0 if x ∈  , 
4 4

 π 5π 
or f is decreasing in  , 
4 4

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 205

Interval Sign of f ′ ( x) Nature of function

 π
0, 4  >0 f is increasing

 π 5π 
 ,  <0 f is decreasing
4 4

 5π 
 , 2π  >0 f is increasing
 4 

EXERCISE 6.2
1. Show that the function given by f (x) = 3x + 17 is increasing on R.
2. Show that the function given by f (x) = e2x is increasing on R.
3. Show that the function given by f (x) = sin x is
 π π 
(a) increasing in  0,  (b) decreasing in  , π 
 2 2 
(c) neither increasing nor decreasing in (0, π)
4. Find the intervals in which the function f given by f (x) = 2x2 – 3x is
(a) increasing (b) decreasing
5. Find the intervals in which the function f given by f (x) = 2x3 – 3x2 – 36x + 7 is
(a) increasing (b) decreasing
6. Find the intervals in which the following functions are strictly increasing or
decreasing:
(a) x2 + 2x – 5 (b) 10 – 6x – 2x2
(c) –2x3 – 9x2 – 12x + 1 (d) 6 – 9x – x2
(e) (x + 1)3 (x – 3)3
2x
7. Show that y = log(1 + x ) − , x > – 1, is an increasing function of x
2+ x
throughout its domain.
8. Find the values of x for which y = [x(x – 2)]2 is an increasing function.
4sin θ π
9. Prove that y = − θ is an increasing function of θ in  0,  .
(2 + cos θ)  2 
10. Prove that the logarithmic function is increasing on (0, ∞).

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206 MATHEMATICS

11. Prove that the function f given by f (x) = x2 – x + 1 is neither strictly increasing
nor decreasing on (– 1, 1).
π
12. Which of the following functions are decreasing on 0, ?
2
(A) cos x (B) cos 2x (C) cos 3x (D) tan x
13. On which of the following intervals is the function f given by f (x) = x100 + sin x –1
decreasing ?
π π
(A) (0,1) (B) ,π (C) 0, (D) None of these
2 2
14. For what values of a the function f given by f (x) = x2 + ax + 1 is increasing on
[1, 2]?
15. Let I be any interval disjoint from [–1, 1]. Prove that the function f given by
1
f ( x) = x + is increasing on I.
x
π
16. Prove that the function f given by f (x) = log sin x is increasing on  0,  and
 2

π
decreasing on  , π .
2 
 π
17. Prove that the function f given by f (x) = log |cos x| is decreasing on  0,  and
 2
 3π 
increasing on  , 2π  .
 2 
18. Prove that the function given by f (x) = x3 – 3x2 + 3x – 100 is increasing in R.
19. The interval in which y = x2 e–x is increasing is
(A) (– ∞, ∞) (B) (– 2, 0) (C) (2, ∞) (D) (0, 2)
6.4 Tangents and Normals
In this section, we shall use differentiation to find the equation of the tangent line and
the normal line to a curve at a given point.
Recall that the equation of a straight line passing through a given point (x0, y0)
having finite slope m is given by
y – y0 = m (x – x0)

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 207

Note that the slope of the tangent to the curve y = f (x)

dy 
at the point (x0, y0) is given by ( = f ′( x0 )) . So
dx  ( x0 , y0 )
the equation of the tangent at (x0, y0) to the curve y = f (x)
is given by
y – y0 = f ′(x0)(x – x0)
Also, since the normal is perpendicular to the tangent,
the slope of the normal to the curve y = f (x) at (x0, y0) is
−1 Fig 6.7
, if f ′ ( x0 ) ≠ 0 . Therefore, the equation of the
f ′ ( x0 )
normal to the curve y = f (x) at (x0, y0) is given by

−1
y – y0 = ( x − x0 )
f ′( x0 )

i.e. ( y − y0 ) f ′( x0 ) + ( x − x0 ) = 0

Note If a tangent line to the curve y = f (x) makes an angle θ with x-axis in the
dy
positive direction, then = slope of the tangent = tan θ .
dx
Particular cases
(i) If slope of the tangent line is zero, then tan θ = 0 and so θ = 0 which means the
tangent line is parallel to the x-axis. In this case, the equation of the tangent at
the point (x0, y0) is given by y = y0.

π
(ii) If θ → , then tan θ → ∞, which means the tangent line is perpendicular to the
2
x-axis, i.e., parallel to the y-axis. In this case, the equation of the tangent at
(x0, y0) is given by x = x0 (Why?).

Example 14 Find the slope of the tangent to the curve y = x3 – x at x = 2.

Solution The slope of the tangent at x = 2 is given by

dy 
= 3 x − 1 x = 2 = 11.
2
dx  x =2

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Example 15 Find the point at which the tangent to the curve y = 4 x − 3 − 1 has its
2
slope .
3
Solution Slope of tangent to the given curve at (x, y) is
−1
dy 1 2
= (4 x − 3) 2 4 =
dx 2 4x − 3
2
The slope is given to be .
3
2 2
So =
4x − 3 3
or 4x – 3 = 9
or x=3
Now y = 4 x − 3 − 1 . So when x = 3, y = 4(3) − 3 − 1 = 2 .
Therefore, the required point is (3, 2).
Example 16 Find the equation of all lines having slope 2 and being tangent to the curve
2
y+ =0.
x−3
Solution Slope of the tangent to the given curve at any point (x,y) is given by
dy 2
=
dx ( x − 3) 2
But the slope is given to be 2. Therefore
2
=2
( x − 3) 2
or (x – 3)2 = 1
or x –3=±1
or x = 2, 4
Now x = 2 gives y = 2 and x = 4 gives y = – 2. Thus, there are two tangents to the
given curve with slope 2 and passing through the points (2, 2) and (4, – 2). The equation
of tangent through (2, 2) is given by
y – 2 = 2(x – 2)
or y – 2x + 2 = 0
and the equation of the tangent through (4, – 2) is given by
y – (– 2) = 2(x – 4)
or y – 2x + 10 = 0

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 209

x2 y2
Example 17 Find points on the curve + = 1 at which the tangents are (i) parallel
4 25
to x-axis (ii) parallel to y-axis.
x2 y2
Solution Differentiating + = 1 with respect to x, we get
4 25
x 2 y dy
+ =0
2 25 dx
dy −25 x
or = 4 y
dx
(i) Now, the tangent is parallel to the x-axis if the slope of the tangent is zero which
−25 x x2 y2
gives = 0 . This is possible if x = 0. Then + = 1 for x = 0 gives
4 y 4 25
y2 = 25, i.e., y = ± 5.
Thus, the points at which the tangents are parallel to the x-axis are (0, 5) and
(0, – 5).
(ii) The tangent line is parallel to y-axis if the slope of the normal is 0 which gives

4y x2 y2
= 0 , i.e., y = 0. Therefore, + = 1 for y = 0 gives x = ± 2. Hence, the
25 x 4 25
points at which the tangents are parallel to the y-axis are (2, 0) and (–2, 0).

x−7
Example 18 Find the equation of the tangent to the curve y = at the
( x − 2)( x − 3)
point where it cuts the x-axis.

Solution Note that on x-axis, y = 0. So the equation of the curve, when y = 0, gives
x = 7. Thus, the curve cuts the x-axis at (7, 0). Now differentiating the equation of the
curve with respect to x, we obtain

dy 1 − y(2 x − 5)
= (Why?)
dx ( x − 2)( x − 3)

dy  1− 0 1
or  = =
dx  (7,0) (5) (4) 20

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210 MATHEMATICS

1
Therefore, the slope of the tangent at (7, 0) is . Hence, the equation of the
20
tangent at (7, 0) is
1
y−0= ( x − 7) or 20 y − x + 7 = 0
20
2 2
Example 19 Find the equations of the tangent and normal to the curve x 3 + y 3 = 2
at (1, 1).
2 2
Solution Differentiating x 3 + y 3 = 2 with respect to x, we get
−1 −1
2 3 2 3 dy
x + y =0
3 3 dx
1
dy  y 3
or = − 
dx  x
dy 
Therefore, the slope of the tangent at (1, 1) is = −1 .
dx  (1, 1)
So the equation of the tangent at (1, 1) is
y – 1 = – 1 (x – 1) or y+x–2=0
Also, the slope of the normal at (1, 1) is given by
−1
=1
slope of the tangent at (1,1)
Therefore, the equation of the normal at (1, 1) is
y – 1 = 1 (x – 1) or y–x=0
Example 20 Find the equation of tangent to the curve given by
x = a sin3 t , y = b cos3 t ... (1)
π
at a point where t = .
2
Solution Differentiating (1) with respect to t, we get
dx dy
= 3a sin 2 t cos t and = −3b cos2 t sin t
dt dt

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 211

dy
dy dt −3b cos 2 t sin t −b cos t
or = = =
dx dx 3a sin 2 t cos t a sin t
dt

π
Therefore, slope of the tangent at t = is
2
π
dy  −b cos
2 =0
dx t = π = π
2 a sin
2

π
Also, when t = , x = a and y = 0. Hence, the equation of tangent to the given
2
π
curve at t = , i.e., at (a, 0) is
2
y – 0 = 0 (x – a), i.e., y = 0.

EXERCISE 6.3
1. Find the slope of the tangent to the curve y = 3x4 – 4x at x = 4.
x −1
2. Find the slope of the tangent to the curve y = , x ≠ 2 at x = 10.
x−2
3. Find the slope of the tangent to curve y = x3 – x + 1 at the point whose
x-coordinate is 2.
4. Find the slope of the tangent to the curve y = x3 –3x + 2 at the point whose
x-coordinate is 3.
π
5. Find the slope of the normal to the curve x = a cos3 θ, y = a sin 3 θ at θ = .
4
π
6. Find the slope of the normal to the curve x = 1 − a sin θ, y = b cos 2 θ at θ = .
2
3 2
7. Find points at which the tangent to the curve y = x – 3x – 9x + 7 is parallel to
the x-axis.
8. Find a point on the curve y = (x – 2)2 at which the tangent is parallel to the chord
joining the points (2, 0) and (4, 4).

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212 MATHEMATICS

9. Find the point on the curve y = x3 – 11x + 5 at which the tangent is y = x – 11.
10. Find the equation of all lines having slope – 1 that are tangents to the curve
1
y= , x ≠ 1.
x −1
11. Find the equation of all lines having slope 2 which are tangents to the curve
1
y= , x ≠ 3.
x−3
12. Find the equations of all lines having slope 0 which are tangent to the curve
1
y= .
x − 2x + 3
2

x2 y 2
13. Find points on the curve + = 1 at which the tangents are
9 16
(i) parallel to x-axis (ii) parallel to y-axis.
14. Find the equations of the tangent and normal to the given curves at the indicated
points:
(i) y = x4 – 6x3 + 13x2 – 10x + 5 at (0, 5)
(ii) y = x4 – 6x3 + 13x2 – 10x + 5 at (1, 3)
(iii) y = x3 at (1, 1)
(iv) y = x2 at (0, 0)
π
(v) x = cos t, y = sin t at t =
4
15. Find the equation of the tangent line to the curve y = x2 – 2x +7 which is
(a) parallel to the line 2x – y + 9 = 0
(b) perpendicular to the line 5y – 15x = 13.
16. Show that the tangents to the curve y = 7x3 + 11 at the points where x = 2 and
x = – 2 are parallel.
17. Find the points on the curve y = x3 at which the slope of the tangent is equal to
the y-coordinate of the point.
18. For the curve y = 4x3 – 2x5, find all the points at which the tangent passes
through the origin.
19. Find the points on the curve x2 + y2 – 2x – 3 = 0 at which the tangents are parallel
to the x-axis.
20. Find the equation of the normal at the point (am2,am3) for the curve ay2 = x3.

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 213

21. Find the equation of the normals to the curve y = x3 + 2x + 6 which are parallel
to the line x + 14y + 4 = 0.
22. Find the equations of the tangent and normal to the parabola y2 = 4ax at the point
(at2, 2at).
23. Prove that the curves x = y2 and xy = k cut at right angles* if 8k2 = 1.

x2 y 2
24. Find the equations of the tangent and normal to the hyperbola − = 1 at the
a 2 b2
point (x0, y0).
25. Find the equation of the tangent to the curve y = 3 x − 2 which is parallel to the
line 4 x − 2 y + 5 = 0 .
Choose the correct answer in Exercises 26 and 27.
26. The slope of the normal to the curve y = 2x2 + 3 sin x at x = 0 is
1 1
(A) 3 (B) (C) –3 (D) −
3 3
2
27. The line y = x + 1 is a tangent to the curve y = 4x at the point
(A) (1, 2) (B) (2, 1) (C) (1, – 2) (D) (– 1, 2)
6.5 Approximations
In this section, we will use differentials to approximate values of certain quantities.
Let f : D → R, D ⊂ R, be a given function
and let y = f (x). Let ∆x denote a small
increment in x. Recall that the increment in y
corresponding to the increment in x, denoted
by ∆y, is given by ∆y = f (x + ∆x) – f (x). We
define the following
(i) The differential of x, denoted by dx, is
defined by dx = ∆x.
(ii) The differential of y, denoted by dy,
is defined by dy = f′(x) dx or
Fig 6.8
 dy 
dy =   ∆x.
 dx 
* Two curves intersect at right angle if the tangents to the curves at the point of intersection
are perpendicular to each other.

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214 MATHEMATICS

In case dx = ∆x is relatively small when compared with x, dy is a good approximation

of ∆y and we denote it by dy ≈ ∆y.
For geometrical meaning of ∆x, ∆y, dx and dy, one may refer to Fig 6.8.

Note In view of the above discussion and Fig 6.8, we may note that the
differential of the dependent variable is not equal to the increment of the variable
where as the differential of independent variable is equal to the increment of the
variable.

Example 21 Use differential to approximate 36.6 .

Solution Take y = x . Let x = 36 and let ∆x = 0.6. Then
∆y = x + ∆x − x = 36.6 − 36 = 36.6 − 6
or 36.6 = 6 + ∆y
Now dy is approximately equal to ∆y and is given by
 dy  1 1
dy =   ∆x = (0.6) = (0.6) = 0.05 (as y = x )
dx 2 x 2 36

Thus, the approximate value of 36.6 is 6 + 0.05 = 6.05.

1

Example 22 Use differential to approximate (25) 3 .

1
Solution Let y = x 3 . Let x = 27 and let ∆x = – 2. Then
1 1 1 1 1
∆y = ( x + ∆x) 3 − x 3 = (25) 3 − (27) 3 = (25) 3 − 3
1
or = 3 + ∆y
(25) 3
Now dy is approximately equal to ∆y and is given by
1
 dy  1
(−2)
dy =   ∆x = 2
(as y = x 3 )
 dx 
3x 3
1 −2
= 1
( −2) = = − 0.074
3 2
27
3((27) )
1
Thus, the approximate value of (25) 3 is given by
3 + (– 0. 074) = 2.926

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 215

Example 23 Find the approximate value of f (3.02), where f (x) = 3x2 + 5x + 3.

Solution Let x = 3 and ∆x = 0.02. Then
f (3. 02) = f (x + ∆x) = 3 (x + ∆x)2 + 5(x + ∆x) + 3
Note that ∆y = f (x + ∆x) – f (x). Therefore
f (x + ∆x) = f (x) + ∆y
≈ f (x) + f ′(x) ∆x (as dx = ∆x)
or f (3.02) ≈ (3x + 5x + 3) + (6x + 5) ∆x
2

= (3(3)2 + 5(3) + 3) + (6(3) + 5) (0.02) (as x = 3, ∆x = 0.02)

= (27 + 15 + 3) + (18 + 5) (0.02)
= 45 + 0.46 = 45.46
Hence, approximate value of f (3.02) is 45.46.
Example 24 Find the approximate change in the volume V of a cube of side x meters
caused by increasing the side by 2%.
Solution Note that
V = x3

 dV 
or dV =   ∆x = (3x2) ∆x
 dx 
= (3x2) (0.02x) = 0.06x3 m3 (as 2% of x is 0.02x)
Thus, the approximate change in volume is 0.06 x3 m3.
Example 25 If the radius of a sphere is measured as 9 cm with an error of 0.03 cm,
then find the approximate error in calculating its volume.
Solution Let r be the radius of the sphere and ∆r be the error in measuring the radius.
Then r = 9 cm and ∆r = 0.03 cm. Now, the volume V of the sphere is given by
4 3
V= πr
3
dV
or = 4πr 2
dr
 dV 
 ∆r = (4πr )∆r
2
Therefore dV = 
 dr 
= 4π(9)2 (0.03) = 9.72π cm3
Thus, the approximate error in calculating the volume is 9.72π cm3.

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216 MATHEMATICS

EXERCISE 6.4
1. Using differentials, find the approximate value of each of the following up to 3
places of decimal.
(i) 25.3 (ii) 49.5 (iii) 0.6
1 1 1
(0.999) 10
(iv) (0.009) 3 (v) (vi) (15) 4
1 1 1
(vii) (26) 3 (viii) (255) 4 (ix) (82) 4
1 1 1
(x) (401) 2 (xi) (0.0037) 2 (xii) (26.57) 3

1 3 1
(xiii) (81.5) 4 (xiv) (3.968) 2 (xv) (32.15) 5
2. Find the approximate value of f (2.01), where f (x) = 4x2 + 5x + 2.
3. Find the approximate value of f (5.001), where f (x) = x3 – 7x2 + 15.
4. Find the approximate change in the volume V of a cube of side x metres caused
by increasing the side by 1%.
5. Find the approximate change in the surface area of a cube of side x metres
caused by decreasing the side by 1%.
6. If the radius of a sphere is measured as 7 m with an error of 0.02 m, then find the
approximate error in calculating its volume.
7. If the radius of a sphere is measured as 9 m with an error of 0.03 m, then find the
approximate error in calculating its surface area.
8. If f(x) = 3x2 + 15x + 5, then the approximate value of f (3.02) is
(A) 47.66 (B) 57.66 (C) 67.66 (D) 77.66
9. The approximate change in the volume of a cube of side x metres caused by
increasing the side by 3% is
(A) 0.06 x3 m3 (B) 0.6 x3 m3 (C) 0.09 x3 m3 (D) 0.9 x3 m3

6.6 Maxima and Minima

In this section, we will use the concept of derivatives to calculate the maximum or
minimum values of various functions. In fact, we will find the ‘turning points’ of the
graph of a function and thus find points at which the graph reaches its highest (or

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 217

lowest) locally. The knowledge of such points is very useful in sketching the graph of
a given function. Further, we will also find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum
of a function that are necessary for the solution of many applied problems.
Let us consider the following problems that arise in day to day life.
(i) The profit from a grove of orange trees is given by P(x) = ax + bx2, where a,b
are constants and x is the number of orange trees per acre. How many trees per
acre will maximise the profit?
(ii) A ball, thrown into the air from a building 60 metres high, travels along a path
x2
given by h( x ) = 60 + x − , where x is the horizontal distance from the building
60
and h(x) is the height of the ball . What is the maximum height the ball will
reach?
(iii) An Apache helicopter of enemy is flying along the path given by the curve
f (x) = x2 + 7. A soldier, placed at the point (1, 2), wants to shoot the helicopter
when it is nearest to him. What is the nearest distance?
In each of the above problem, there is something common, i.e., we wish to find out
the maximum or minimum values of the given functions. In order to tackle such problems,
we first formally define maximum or minimum values of a function, points of local
maxima and minima and test for determining such points.
Definition 3 Let f be a function defined on an interval I. Then
(a) f is said to have a maximum value in I, if there exists a point c in I such that
f (c ) > f ( x ) , for all x ∈ I.
The number f (c) is called the maximum value of f in I and the point c is called a
point of maximum value of f in I.
(b) f is said to have a minimum value in I, if there exists a point c in I such that
f (c) < f (x), for all x ∈ I.
The number f (c), in this case, is called the minimum value of f in I and the point
c, in this case, is called a point of minimum value of f in I.
(c) f is said to have an extreme value in I if there exists a point c in I such that
f (c) is either a maximum value or a minimum value of f in I.
The number f (c), in this case, is called an extreme value of f in I and the point c
is called an extreme point.
Remark In Fig 6.9(a), (b) and (c), we have exhibited that graphs of certain particular
functions help us to find maximum value and minimum value at a point. Infact, through
graphs, we can even find maximum/minimum value of a function at a point at which it
is not even differentiable (Example 27).

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218 MATHEMATICS

Fig 6.9
Example 26 Find the maximum and the minimum values,
if any, of the function f given by
f (x) = x2, x ∈ R.
Solution From the graph of the given function (Fig 6.10),
we have f (x) = 0 if x = 0. Also
f (x) ≥ 0, for all x ∈ R.
Therefore, the minimum value of f is 0 and the point
of minimum value of f is x = 0. Further, it may be observed
from the graph of the function that f has no maximum
value and hence no point of maximum value of f in R.
Fig 6.10
 Note If we restrict the domain of f to [– 2, 1] only,
then f will have maximum value(– 2)2 = 4 at x = – 2.

Example 27 Find the maximum and minimum values

of f , if any, of the function given by f (x) = | x |, x ∈ R.

Solution From the graph of the given function

(Fig 6.11) , note that
f (x) ≥ 0, for all x ∈ R and f (x) = 0 if x = 0.
Therefore, the function f has a minimum value 0
and the point of minimum value of f is x = 0. Also, the
graph clearly shows that f has no maximum value in
R and hence no point of maximum value in R. Fig 6.11

 Note
(i) If we restrict the domain of f to [– 2, 1] only, then f will have maximum value
| – 2| = 2.

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 219

(ii) One may note that the function f in Example 27 is not differentiable at
x = 0.
Example 28 Find the maximum and the minimum values, if any, of the function
given by
f (x) = x, x ∈ (0, 1).
Solution The given function is an increasing (strictly) function in the given interval
(0, 1). From the graph (Fig 6.12) of the function f , it
seems that, it should have the minimum value at a
point closest to 0 on its right and the maximum value
at a point closest to 1 on its left. Are such points
available? Of course, not. It is not possible to locate
such points. Infact, if a point x0 is closest to 0, then
x0
we find < x0 for all x0 ∈ (0,1) . Also, if x1 is
2
x1 + 1
closest to 1, then > x1 for all x1 ∈ (0,1) .
2 Fig 6.12
Therefore, the given function has neither the maximum value nor the minimum
value in the interval (0,1).
Remark The reader may observe that in Example 28, if we include the points 0 and 1
in the domain of f , i.e., if we extend the domain of f to [0,1], then the function f has
minimum value 0 at x = 0 and maximum value 1 at x = 1. Infact, we have the following
results (The proof of these results are beyond the scope of the present text)
Every monotonic function assumes its maximum/minimum value at the end
points of the domain of definition of the function.
A more general result is
Every continuous function on a closed interval has a maximum and a minimum
value.

 Note By a monotonic function f

increasing in I or decreasing in I.
in an interval I, we mean that f is either

Maximum and minimum values of a function defined on a closed interval will be

discussed later in this section.
Let us now examine the graph of a function as shown in Fig 6.13. Observe that at
points A, B, C and D on the graph, the function changes its nature from decreasing to
increasing or vice-versa. These points may be called turning points of the given
function. Further, observe that at turning points, the graph has either a little hill or a little
valley. Roughly speaking, the function has minimum value in some neighbourhood
(interval) of each of the points A and C which are at the bottom of their respective

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220 MATHEMATICS

Fig 6.13
valleys. Similarly, the function has maximum value in some neighbourhood of points B
and D which are at the top of their respective hills. For this reason, the points A and C
may be regarded as points of local minimum value (or relative minimum value) and
points B and D may be regarded as points of local maximum value (or relative maximum
value) for the function. The local maximum value and local minimum value of the
function are referred to as local maxima and local minima, respectively, of the function.
We now formally give the following definition
Definition 4 Let f be a real valued function and let c be an interior point in the domain
of f. Then
(a) c is called a point of local maxima if there is an h > 0 such that
f (c) ≥ f (x), for all x in (c – h, c + h), x ≠ c
The value f (c) is called the local maximum value of f.
(b) c is called a point of local minima if there is an h > 0 such that
f (c) ≤ f (x), for all x in (c – h, c + h)
The value f (c) is called the local minimum value of f .
Geometrically, the above definition states that if x = c is a point of local maxima of f,
then the graph of f around c will be as shown in Fig 6.14(a). Note that the function f is
increasing (i.e., f ′(x) > 0) in the interval (c – h, c) and decreasing (i.e., f ′(x) < 0) in the
interval (c, c + h).
This suggests that f ′(c) must be zero.

Fig 6.14

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 221

Similarly, if c is a point of local minima of f , then the graph of f around c will be as

shown in Fig 6.14(b). Here f is decreasing (i.e., f ′(x) < 0) in the interval (c – h, c) and
increasing (i.e., f ′(x) > 0) in the interval (c, c + h). This again suggest that f ′(c) must
be zero.
The above discussion lead us to the following theorem (without proof).
Theorem 2 Let f be a function defined on an open interval I. Suppose c ∈ I be any
point. If f has a local maxima or a local minima at x = c, then either f ′(c) = 0 or f is not
differentiable at c.

Remark The converse of above theorem need

not be true, that is, a point at which the derivative
vanishes need not be a point of local maxima or
local minima. For example, if f (x) = x3, then f ′(x)
= 3x2 and so f ′(0) = 0. But 0 is neither a point of
local maxima nor a point of local minima (Fig 6.15).

 Note A point c in the domain of a function

f at which either f ′(c) = 0 or f is not differentiable
is called a critical point of f. Note that if f is
continuous at c and f ′(c) = 0, then there exists
an h > 0 such that f is differentiable in the interval Fig 6.15
(c – h, c + h).
We shall now give a working rule for finding points of local maxima or points of
local minima using only the first order derivatives.
Theorem 3 (First Derivative Test) Let f be a function defined on an open interval I.
Let f be continuous at a critical point c in I. Then
(i) If f ′(x) changes sign from positive to negative as x increases through c, i.e., if
f ′(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of c, and f ′(x) < 0 at
every point sufficiently close to and to the right of c, then c is a point of local
maxima.
(ii) If f ′(x) changes sign from negative to positive as x increases through c, i.e., if
f ′(x) < 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of c, and f ′(x) > 0 at
every point sufficiently close to and to the right of c, then c is a point of local
minima.
(iii) If f ′(x) does not change sign as x increases through c, then c is neither a point of
local maxima nor a point of local minima. Infact, such a point is called point of
inflection (Fig 6.15).

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222 MATHEMATICS

Note If c is a point of local maxima of f , then f (c) is a local maximum value of

f. Similarly, if c is a point of local minima of f , then f(c) is a local minimum value of f.
Figures 6.15 and 6.16, geometrically explain Theorem 3.

Fig 6.16
Example 29 Find all points of local maxima and local minima of the function f
given by
f (x) = x3 – 3x + 3.
Solution We have
f (x) = x3 – 3x + 3
or f ′(x) = 3x2 – 3 = 3 (x – 1) (x + 1)
or f ′(x) = 0 at x = 1 and x = – 1
Thus, x = ± 1 are the only critical points which could possibly be the points of local
maxima and/or local minima of f . Let us first examine the point x = 1.
Note that for values close to 1 and to the right of 1, f ′(x) > 0 and for values close
to 1 and to the left of 1, f ′(x) < 0. Therefore, by first derivative test, x = 1 is a point
of local minima and local minimum value is f (1) = 1. In the case of x = –1, note that
f ′(x) > 0, for values close to and to the left of –1 and f ′(x) < 0, for values close to and
to the right of – 1. Therefore, by first derivative test, x = – 1 is a point of local maxima
and local maximum value is f (–1) = 5.
Values of x Sign of f ′ (x) = 3(x – 1) (x + 1)
to the right (say 1.1 etc.) >0
Close to 1
to the left (say 0.9 etc.) <0

to the right (say − 0.9 etc.) <0

Close to –1
to the left (say − 1.1 etc.) >0

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 223

Example 30 Find all the points of local maxima and local minima of the function f
given by
f (x) = 2x3 – 6x2 + 6x +5.
Solution We have
f (x) = 2x3 – 6x2 + 6x + 5
or f ′(x) = 6x2 – 12x + 6 = 6 (x – 1)2
or f ′(x) = 0 at x = 1
Thus, x = 1 is the only critical point of f . We shall now examine this point for local
maxima and/or local minima of f. Observe that f ′(x) ≥ 0, for all x ∈ R and in particular
f ′(x) > 0, for values close to 1 and to the left and to the right of 1. Therefore, by first
derivative test, the point x = 1 is neither a point of local maxima nor a point of local
minima. Hence x = 1 is a point of inflexion.
Remark One may note that since f ′(x), in Example 30, never changes its sign on R,
graph of f has no turning points and hence no point of local maxima or local minima.
We shall now give another test to examine local maxima and local minima of a
given function. This test is often easier to apply than the first derivative test.
Theorem 4 (Second Derivative Test) Let f be a function defined on an interval I
and c ∈ I. Let f be twice differentiable at c. Then
(i) x = c is a point of local maxima if f ′(c) = 0 and f ″(c) < 0
The value f (c) is local maximum value of f .
(ii) x = c is a point of local minima if f ′ (c ) = 0 and f ″(c) > 0
In this case, f (c) is local minimum value of f .
(iii) The test fails if f ′(c) = 0 and f ″(c) = 0.
In this case, we go back to the first derivative test and find whether c is a point of
local maxima, local minima or a point of inflexion.

 Note As f is twice differentiable at c, we mean

second order derivative of f exists at c.

Example 31 Find local minimum value of the function f

given by f (x) = 3 + | x |, x ∈ R.
Solution Note that the given function is not differentiable
at x = 0. So, second derivative test fails. Let us try first
derivative test. Note that 0 is a critical point of f . Now
to the left of 0, f (x) = 3 – x and so f ′(x) = – 1 < 0. Also Fig 6.17

2022-23
224 MATHEMATICS

to the right of 0, f (x) = 3 + x and so f ′(x) = 1 > 0. Therefore, by first derivative test,
x = 0 is a point of local minima of f and local minimum value of f is f (0) = 3.

Example 32 Find local maximum and local minimum values of the function f given by
f (x) = 3x4 + 4x3 – 12x2 + 12
Solution We have
f (x) = 3x4 + 4x3 – 12x2 + 12
or f ′(x) = 12x3 + 12x2 – 24x = 12x (x – 1) (x + 2)
or f ′(x) = 0 at x = 0, x = 1 and x = – 2.
Now f ″(x) = 36x2 + 24x – 24 = 12 (3x2 + 2x – 2)
 f ′′ (0) = −24 < 0

or  f ′′ (1) = 36 > 0
 f ′′ ( −2) = 72 > 0

Therefore, by second derivative test, x = 0 is a point of local maxima and local
maximum value of f at x = 0 is f (0) = 12 while x = 1 and x = – 2 are the points of local
minima and local minimum values of f at x = – 1 and – 2 are f (1) = 7 and f (–2) = –20,
respectively.
Example 33 Find all the points of local maxima and local minima of the function f
given by
f (x) = 2x3 – 6x2 + 6x +5.
Solution We have
f (x) = 2x3 – 6x2 + 6x +5
 f ′( x) = 6 x 2 − 12 x + 6 = 6( x − 1) 2
or 
 f ′′( x) = 12( x − 1)
Now f ′(x) = 0 gives x =1. Also f ″(1) = 0. Therefore, the second derivative test
fails in this case. So, we shall go back to the first derivative test.
We have already seen (Example 30) that, using first derivative test, x =1 is neither
a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima and so it is a point of inflexion.
Example 34 Find two positive numbers whose sum is 15 and the sum of whose
squares is minimum.
Solution Let one of the numbers be x. Then the other number is (15 – x). Let S(x)
denote the sum of the squares of these numbers. Then

2022-23
 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 225

S(x) = x2 + (15 – x)2 = 2x2 – 30x + 225

S′( x ) = 4 x − 30
or 
S′′( x ) = 4
15  15 
Now S′(x) = 0 gives x = . Also S′′   = 4 > 0 . Therefore, by second derivative
2 2
15
test, x = is the point of local minima of S. Hence the sum of squares of numbers is
2
15 15 15
minimum when the numbers are and 15 − = .
2 2 2
Remark Proceeding as in Example 34 one may prove that the two positive numbers,
k k
whose sum is k and the sum of whose squares is minimum, are and .
2 2
Example 35 Find the shortest distance of the point (0, c) from the parabola y = x2,
1
where ≤ c ≤ 5.
2
Solution Let (h, k) be any point on the parabola y = x2. Let D be the required distance
between (h, k) and (0, c). Then

D = (h − 0) 2 + ( k − c) 2 = h 2 + ( k − c ) 2 ... (1)
Since (h, k) lies on the parabola y = x2, we have k = h2. So (1) gives

D ≡ D(k) = k + ( k − c) 2

1 + 2( k − c)
or D′(k) =
2 k + ( k − c )2

2c − 1
Now D′(k) = 0 gives k =
2

2c − 1
Observe that when k < , then 2(k − c ) + 1 < 0 , i.e., D′( k ) < 0 . Also when
2
2c − 1 2c − 1
k> , then D′( k ) > 0 . So, by first derivative test, D (k) is minimum at k = .
2 2
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226 MATHEMATICS

Hence, the required shortest distance is given by

2
 2c − 1  2c − 1  2c − 1  4c − 1
D  = + − c =
 2  2  2  2

 Note The reader may note that in Example 35, we have used first derivative
test instead of the second derivative test as the former is easy and short.

Example 36 Let AP and BQ be two vertical poles at

points A and B, respectively. If AP = 16 m, BQ = 22 m
and AB = 20 m, then find the distance of a point R on
AB from the point A such that RP2 + RQ2 is minimum.

Solution Let R be a point on AB such that AR = x m.

Then RB = (20 – x) m (as AB = 20 m). From Fig 6.18,
we have
RP2 = AR2 + AP2
and RQ2 = RB2 + BQ2 Fig 6.18
Therefore RP2 + RQ2 = AR2 + AP2 + RB2 + BQ2
= x2 + (16)2 + (20 – x)2 + (22)2
= 2x2 – 40x + 1140
Let S ≡ S(x) = RP2 + RQ2 = 2x2 – 40x + 1140.
Therefore S′(x) = 4x – 40.
Now S′(x) = 0 gives x = 10. Also S″(x) = 4 > 0, for all x and so S″(10) > 0.
Therefore, by second derivative test, x = 10 is the point of local minima of S. Thus, the
distance of R from A on AB is AR = x =10 m.
Example 37 If length of three sides of a trapezium other than base are equal to 10cm,
then find the area of the trapezium when it is maximum.
Solution The required trapezium is as given in Fig 6.19. Draw perpendiculars DP and

Fig 6.19
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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 227

CQ on AB. Let AP = x cm. Note that ∆APD ~ ∆BQC. Therefore, QB = x cm. Also, by
Pythagoras theorem, DP = QC = 100 − x 2 . Let A be the area of the trapezium. Then
1
A ≡ A(x) = (sum of parallel sides) (height)
2

(2 x + 10 + 10) ( 100 − x 2 )
1
=
2
= ( x + 10) ( 100 − x 2 )

+ ( 100 − x 2 )
(−2 x)
or A′(x) = ( x + 10)
2 100 − x 2

−2 x 2 − 10 x + 100
=
100 − x 2
Now A′(x) = 0 gives 2x2 + 10x – 100 = 0, i.e., x = 5 and x = –10.
Since x represents distance, it can not be negative.
So, x = 5. Now
( −2 x )
100 − x 2 (−4 x − 10) − (−2 x 2 − 10 x + 100)
2 100 − x 2
A″(x) =
100 − x 2

2 x 3 − 300 x − 1000
= 3 (on simplification)
(100 − x2 ) 2

2(5)3 − 300(5) − 1000 −2250 −30

or A″(5) = 3
= = <0
75 75 75
(100 − (5) 2 ) 2
Thus, area of trapezium is maximum at x = 5 and the area is given by
A (5) = (5 + 10) 100 − (5) 2 = 15 75 = 75 3 cm 2

Example 38 Prove that the radius of the right circular cylinder of greatest curved
surface area which can be inscribed in a given cone is half of that of the cone.
Solution Let OC = r be the radius of the cone and OA = h be its height. Let a cylinder
with radius OE = x inscribed in the given cone (Fig 6.20). The height QE of the cylinder
is given by

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228 MATHEMATICS

QE EC
= (since ∆QEC ~ ∆AOC)
OA OC
QE r−x
or =
h r
h (r − x)
or QE =
r
Let S be the curved surface area of the given
cylinder. Then
2πx h ( r − x ) 2πh
S ≡ S (x) = = ( rx − x 2 )
r r Fig 6.20

 2πh
S′( x) = r ( r − 2 x )
or 
S′′( x) = − 4πh
 r

r r r
Now S′(x) = 0 gives x = . Since S″(x) < 0 for all x, S′′   < 0 . So x = is a
2 2 2
point of maxima of S. Hence, the radius of the cylinder of greatest curved surface area
which can be inscribed in a given cone is half of that of the cone.
6.6.1 Maximum and Minimum Values of a Function in a Closed Interval
Let us consider a function f given by
f (x) = x + 2, x ∈ (0, 1)
Observe that the function is continuous on (0, 1) and neither has a maximum value
nor has a minimum value. Further, we may note that the function even has neither a
local maximum value nor a local minimum value.
However, if we extend the domain of f to the closed interval [0, 1], then f still may
not have a local maximum (minimum) values but it certainly does have maximum value
3 = f (1) and minimum value 2 = f (0). The maximum value 3 of f at x = 1 is called
absolute maximum value (global maximum or greatest value) of f on the interval
[0, 1]. Similarly, the minimum value 2 of f at x = 0 is called the absolute minimum
value (global minimum or least value) of f on [0, 1].
Consider the graph given in Fig 6.21 of a continuous function defined on a closed
interval [a, d]. Observe that the function f has a local minima at x = b and local

2022-23
 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 229

Fig 6.21
minimum value is f (b). The function also has a local maxima at x = c and local maximum
value is f (c).
Also from the graph, it is evident that f has absolute maximum value f (a) and
absolute minimum value f (d). Further note that the absolute maximum (minimum)
value of f is different from local maximum (minimum) value of f .
We will now state two results (without proof) regarding absolute maximum and
absolute minimum values of a function on a closed interval I.
Theorem 5 Let f be a continuous function on an interval I = [a, b]. Then f has the
absolute maximum value and f attains it at least once in I. Also, f has the absolute
minimum value and attains it at least once in I.
Theorem 6 Let f be a differentiable function on a closed interval I and let c be any
interior point of I. Then
(i) f ′(c) = 0 if f attains its absolute maximum value at c.
(ii) f ′(c) = 0 if f attains its absolute minimum value at c.
In view of the above results, we have the following working rule for finding absolute
maximum and/or absolute minimum values of a function in a given closed interval
[a, b].
Working Rule
Step 1: Find all critical points of f in the interval, i.e., find points x where either
f ′ ( x ) = 0 or f is not differentiable.
Step 2: Take the end points of the interval.
Step 3: At all these points (listed in Step 1 and 2), calculate the values of f .
Step 4: Identify the maximum and minimum values of f out of the values calculated in
Step 3. This maximum value will be the absolute maximum (greatest) value of
f and the minimum value will be the absolute minimum (least) value of f .

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230 MATHEMATICS

Example 39 Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of a function f given by
f (x) = 2x3 – 15x2 + 36x +1 on the interval [1, 5].
Solution We have
f (x) = 2x3 – 15x2 + 36x + 1
or f ′(x) = 6x2 – 30x + 36 = 6 (x – 3) (x – 2)
Note that f ′(x) = 0 gives x = 2 and x = 3.
We shall now evaluate the value of f at these points and at the end points of the
interval [1, 5], i.e., at x = 1, x = 2, x = 3 and at x = 5. So
f (1) = 2 (13) – 15 (12) + 36 (1) + 1 = 24
f (2) = 2 (23) – 15 (22) + 36 (2) + 1 = 29
f (3) = 2 (33) – 15 (32) + 36 (3) + 1 = 28
f (5) = 2 (53) – 15 (52) + 36 (5) + 1 = 56
Thus, we conclude that absolute maximum value of f on [1, 5] is 56, occurring at
x =5, and absolute minimum value of f on [1, 5] is 24 which occurs at x = 1.
Example 40 Find absolute maximum and minimum values of a function f given by
4 1
f ( x) = 12 x 3 − 6x3 , x ∈ [−1, 1]
Solution We have
4 1
f (x) = 12 x 3 − 6x 3
1
2 2(8 x − 1)
or f ′(x) = 16 x 3 − 2
= 2
x3 x3
1
Thus, f ′(x) = 0 gives x = . Further note that f ′(x) is not defined at x = 0. So the
8
1
critical points are x = 0 and x = . Now evaluating the value of f at critical points
8
1
x = 0, and at end points of the interval x = –1 and x = 1, we have
8
4 1
f (–1) = 12(−1) 3 − 6( −1) 3 = 18
f (0) = 12 (0) – 6 (0) = 0

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 231

4 1
1
f   = 12  1  − 6  1  = − 9
3 3

 
8 8 8 4
4 1
f (1) = =6
12(1) 3 − 6(1) 3
Hence, we conclude that absolute maximum value of f is 18 that occurs at x = – 1
−9 1
and absolute minimum value of f is that occurs at x = .
4 8
Example 41 An Apache helicopter of enemy is flying along the curve given by
y = x2 + 7. A soldier, placed at (3, 7), wants to shoot down the helicopter when it is
nearest to him. Find the nearest distance.
Solution For each value of x, the helicopter’s position is at point (x, x 2 + 7).
Therefore, the distance between the helicopter and the soldier placed at (3,7) is

( x − 3) 2 + ( x 2 + 7 − 7) 2 , i.e., ( x − 3) 2 + x 4 .
Let f (x) = (x – 3)2 + x4
or f ′(x) = 2(x – 3) + 4x3 = 2 (x – 1) (2x2 + 2x + 3)
Thus, f ′(x) = 0 gives x = 1 or 2x2 + 2x + 3 = 0 for which there are no real roots.
Also, there are no end points of the interval to be added to the set for which f ′ is zero,
i.e., there is only one point, namely, x = 1. The value of f at this point is given by
f (1) = (1 – 3)2 + (1)4 = 5. Thus, the distance between the solider and the helicopter is
f (1) = 5 .
Note that 5 is either a maximum value or a minimum value. Since
f (0) = (0 − 3) 2 + (0) 4 = 3 > 5 ,

it follows that 5 is the minimum value of f ( x ) . Hence, 5 is the minimum

distance between the soldier and the helicopter.

EXERCISE 6.5
1. Find the maximum and minimum values, if any, of the following functions
given by
(i) f (x) = (2x – 1)2 + 3 (ii) f (x) = 9x2 + 12x + 2
(iii) f (x) = – (x – 1)2 + 10 (iv) g (x) = x3 + 1

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232 MATHEMATICS

2. Find the maximum and minimum values, if any, of the following functions
given by
(i) f (x) = | x + 2 | – 1 (ii) g (x) = – | x + 1| + 3
(iii) h (x) = sin (2x) + 5 (iv) f (x) = | sin 4x + 3|
(v) h (x) = x + 1, x ∈ (– 1, 1)
3. Find the local maxima and local minima, if any, of the following functions. Find
also the local maximum and the local minimum values, as the case may be:
(i) f (x) = x2 (ii) g (x) = x3 – 3x
π
(iii) h (x) = sin x + cos x, 0 < x <
2
(iv) f (x) = sin x – cos x, 0 < x < 2 π
x 2
(v) f (x) = x3 – 6x2 + 9x + 15 (vi) g ( x ) = + , x>0
2 x
1
(vii) g ( x) = (viii) f ( x ) = x 1 − x , 0 < x < 1
x +2
2

4. Prove that the following functions do not have maxima or minima:

(i) f (x) = ex (ii) g (x) = log x
3 2
(iii) h (x) = x + x + x +1
5. Find the absolute maximum value and the absolute minimum value of the following
functions in the given intervals:
(i) f (x) = x3, x ∈ [– 2, 2] (ii) f (x) = sin x + cos x , x ∈ [0, π]

1  9
(iii) f (x) = 4 x − x 2 , x ∈  −2,  (iv) f ( x ) = ( x − 1) 2 + 3, x ∈[ −3,1]
2  2
6. Find the maximum profit that a company can make, if the profit function is
given by
p (x) = 41 – 72x – 18x2
7. Find both the maximum value and the minimum value of
3x4 – 8x3 + 12x2 – 48x + 25 on the interval [0, 3].
8. At what points in the interval [0, 2π], does the function sin 2x attain its maximum
value?
9. What is the maximum value of the function sin x + cos x?
10. Find the maximum value of 2x3 – 24x + 107 in the interval [1, 3]. Find the
maximum value of the same function in [–3, –1].

2022-23
 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 233

11. It is given that at x = 1, the function x4 – 62x2 + ax + 9 attains its maximum value,
on the interval [0, 2]. Find the value of a.
12. Find the maximum and minimum values of x + sin 2x on [0, 2π].
13. Find two numbers whose sum is 24 and whose product is as large as possible.
14. Find two positive numbers x and y such that x + y = 60 and xy3 is maximum.
15. Find two positive numbers x and y such that their sum is 35 and the product x2 y5
is a maximum.
16. Find two positive numbers whose sum is 16 and the sum of whose cubes is
minimum.
17. A square piece of tin of side 18 cm is to be made into a box without top, by
cutting a square from each corner and folding up the flaps to form the box. What
should be the side of the square to be cut off so that the volume of the box is the
maximum possible.
18. A rectangular sheet of tin 45 cm by 24 cm is to be made into a box without top,
by cutting off square from each corner and folding up the flaps. What should be
the side of the square to be cut off so that the volume of the box is maximum ?
19. Show that of all the rectangles inscribed in a given fixed circle, the square has
the maximum area.
20. Show that the right circular cylinder of given surface and maximum volume is
such that its height is equal to the diameter of the base.
21. Of all the closed cylindrical cans (right circular), of a given volume of 100 cubic
centimetres, find the dimensions of the can which has the minimum surface
area?
22. A wire of length 28 m is to be cut into two pieces. One of the pieces is to be
made into a square and the other into a circle. What should be the length of the
two pieces so that the combined area of the square and the circle is minimum?
23. Prove that the volume of the largest cone that can be inscribed in a sphere of
8
radius R is of the volume of the sphere.
27
24. Show that the right circular cone of least curved surface and given volume has
an altitude equal to 2 time the radius of the base.
25. Show that the semi-vertical angle of the cone of the maximum volume and of
given slant height is tan −1 2 .
26. Show that semi-vertical angle of right circular cone of given surface area and
−1  1 
maximum volume is sin   .
 3

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234 MATHEMATICS

Choose the correct answer in Questions 27 and 29.

27. The point on the curve x2 = 2y which is nearest to the point (0, 5) is
(A) (2 2,4) (B) (2 2,0) (C) (0, 0) (D) (2, 2)

1 − x + x2
28. For all real values of x, the minimum value of is
1 + x + x2
1
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 3 (D)
3
1

29. The maximum value of [ x( x − 1) + 1]3 , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 is

1
 1 3 1
(A)   (B) (C) 1 (D) 0
 3 2

Miscellaneous Examples

Example 42 A car starts from a point P at time t = 0 seconds and stops at point Q. The
distance x, in metres, covered by it, in t seconds is given by
 t
x = t2  2 − 
 3

Find the time taken by it to reach Q and also find distance between P and Q.

Solution Let v be the velocity of the car at t seconds.

 t
Now x = t2  2 − 
 3

dx
Therefore v= = 4t – t2 = t (4 – t)
dt
Thus, v = 0 gives t = 0 and/or t = 4.
Now v = 0 at P as well as at Q and at P, t = 0. So, at Q, t = 4. Thus, the car will
reach the point Q after 4 seconds. Also the distance travelled in 4 seconds is given by

2 4  2  32
x]t = 4 = 4  2 −  = 16   = m
 3 3 3

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 235

Example 43 A water tank has the shape of an inverted right circular cone with its axis
vertical and vertex lowermost. Its semi-vertical angle is tan–1 (0.5). Water is poured
into it at a constant rate of 5 cubic metre per hour. Find the rate at which the level of
the water is rising at the instant when the depth of water in the tank is 4 m.
r
Solution Let r, h and α be as in Fig 6.22. Then tan α = .
h

−1  r 
So α = tan   .
h
But α = tan (0.5) (given)
–1

r
or = 0.5
h
h
or r=
2
Let V be the volume of the cone. Then
2
Fig 6.22
1 2 1 h πh3
V = πr h = π   h =
3 3 2 12

dV d  πh3  dh
Therefore =  ⋅ (by Chain Rule)
dt dh  12  dt

π 2 dh
= h
4 dt
dV
Now rate of change of volume, i.e., = 5 m3/h and h = 4 m.
dt
π 2 dh
Therefore 5= (4) ⋅
4 dt
dh 5 35  22 
or = = m/h  π = 
dt 4π 88  7 
35
Thus, the rate of change of water level is m/h .
88
Example 44 A man of height 2 metres walks at a uniform speed of 5 km/h away from
a lamp post which is 6 metres high. Find the rate at which the length of his shadow
increases.

2022-23
236 MATHEMATICS

Solution In Fig 6.23, Let AB be the lamp-post, the

lamp being at the position B and let MN be the man
at a particular time t and let AM = l metres. Then,
MS is the shadow of the man. Let MS = s metres.

Note that ∆MSN ~ ∆ASB

MS MN
or =
AS AB
Fig 6.23
or AS = 3s (as MN = 2 and AB = 6 (given))
Thus AM = 3s – s = 2s. But AM = l
So l = 2s
dl ds
Therefore = 2
dt dt
dl 5
Since = 5 km/h. Hence, the length of the shadow increases at the rate km/h.
dt 2
Example 45 Find the equation of the normal to the curve x2 = 4y which passes through
the point (1, 2).
Solution Differentiating x2 = 4y with respect to x, we get
dy x
=
dx 2
Let (h, k) be the coordinates of the point of contact of the normal to the curve
x2 = 4y. Now, slope of the tangent at (h, k) is given by
dy  h
dx  (h , k ) = 2

−2
Hence, slope of the normal at (h, k) =
h
Therefore, the equation of normal at (h, k) is
−2
y–k= ( x − h) ... (1)
h
Since it passes through the point (1, 2), we have
−2 2
2−k = (1 − h) or k = 2 + (1 − h) ... (2)
h h

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 237

Since (h, k) lies on the curve x2 = 4y, we have

h2 = 4k ... (3)
From (2) and (3), we have h = 2 and k = 1. Substituting the values of h and k in (1),
we get the required equation of normal as
−2
y −1 = ( x − 2) or x + y = 3
2
Example 46 Find the equation of tangents to the curve
y = cos (x + y), – 2π ≤ x ≤ 2π
that are parallel to the line x + 2y = 0.
Solution Differentiating y = cos(x + y) with respect to x, we have

dy − sin ( x + y )
=
dx 1 + sin ( x + y )

− sin ( x + y )
or slope of tangent at (x, y) =
1 + sin ( x + y )
Since the tangents to the given curve are parallel to the line x + 2y = 0, whose slope
−1
is , we have
2
− sin( x + y ) −1
1 + sin( x + y ) = 2
or sin (x + y) = 1
π,
or x + y = nπ + (– 1)n n∈Z
2
 n π ,
Then y = cos(x + y) = cos  nπ + (−1)  n∈Z
 2
= 0, for all n ∈ Z
−3π π
Also, since −2 π ≤ x ≤ 2 π , we get x = and x = . Thus, tangents to the
2 2

 −3π  π 
given curve are parallel to the line x + 2y = 0 only at points  ,0  and  , 0 .
 2  2
Therefore, the required equation of tangents are

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238 MATHEMATICS

−1  3π 
y–0= x+  or 2 x + 4 y + 3π = 0
2 2 

−1  π
and y–0= x−  or 2 x + 4 y − π = 0
2 2
Example 47 Find intervals in which the function given by
3 4 4 3 36
f (x) = x − x − 3x 2 + x + 11
10 5 5
is (a) increasing (b) decreasing.
Solution We have
3 4 4 3 36
f (x) = x − x − 3x 2 + x + 11
10 5 5
3 4 36
Therefore f ′(x) = (4 x 3 ) − (3x 2 ) − 3(2 x) +
10 5 5
6
= ( x − 1)( x + 2)( x − 3) (on simplification)
5
Now f ′(x) = 0 gives x = 1, x = – 2, or x = 3. The
points x = 1, – 2, and 3 divide the real line into four
disjoint intervals namely, (– ∞, – 2), (– 2, 1), (1, 3) Fig 6.24
and (3, ∞) (Fig 6.24).
Consider the interval (– ∞, – 2), i.e., when – ∞ < x < – 2.
In this case, we have x – 1 < 0, x + 2 < 0 and x – 3 < 0.
(In particular, observe that for x = –3, f ′(x) = (x – 1) (x + 2) (x – 3) = (– 4) (– 1)
(– 6) < 0)
Therefore, f ′(x) < 0 when – ∞ < x < – 2.
Thus, the function f is decreasing in (– ∞, – 2).
Consider the interval (– 2, 1), i.e., when – 2 < x < 1.
In this case, we have x – 1 < 0, x + 2 > 0 and x – 3 < 0
(In particular, observe that for x = 0, f ′(x) = (x – 1) (x + 2) (x – 3) = (–1) (2) (–3)
= 6 > 0)
So f ′(x) > 0 when – 2 < x < 1.
Thus, f is increasing in (– 2, 1).

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 239

Now consider the interval (1, 3), i.e., when 1 < x < 3. In this case, we have
x – 1 > 0, x + 2 > 0 and x – 3 < 0.
So, f ′(x) < 0 when 1 < x < 3.
Thus, f is decreasing in (1, 3).
Finally, consider the interval (3, ∞), i.e., when x > 3. In this case, we have x – 1 > 0,
x + 2 > 0 and x – 3 > 0. So f ′(x) > 0 when x > 3.
Thus, f is increasing in the interval (3, ∞).
Example 48 Show that the function f given by
f (x) = tan–1(sin x + cos x), x > 0
 π
is always an increasing function in  0,  .
 4
Solution We have
f (x) = tan–1(sin x + cos x), x > 0
1
Therefore f ′(x) = (cos x − sin x )
1 + (sin x + cos x) 2
cos x − sin x
= (on simplification)
2 + sin 2 x

π
Note that 2 + sin 2x > 0 for all x in 0, .
4
Therefore f ′(x) > 0 if cos x – sin x > 0
or f ′(x) > 0 if cos x > sin x or cot x > 1
π
Now cot x > 1 if tan x < 1, i.e., if 0 < x <
4
 π
Thus f ′(x) > 0 in  0, 
 4

 π
Hence f is increasing function in  0,  .
 4
Example 49 A circular disc of radius 3 cm is being heated. Due to expansion, its
radius increases at the rate of 0.05 cm/s. Find the rate at which its area is increasing
when radius is 3.2 cm.

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240 MATHEMATICS

Solution Let r be the radius of the given disc and A be its area. Then
A = πr 2
dA dr
or = 2πr (by Chain Rule)
dt dt
dr
Now approximate rate of increase of radius = dr = ∆t = 0.05 cm/s.
dt
Therefore, the approximate rate of increase in area is given by

dA  dr 
dA = (∆t ) = 2πr  ∆t 
dt  dt 
= 2π (3.2) (0.05) = 0.320π cm2/s (r = 3.2 cm)
Example 50 An open topped box is to be constructed by removing equal squares from
each corner of a 3 metre by 8 metre rectangular sheet of aluminium and folding up the
sides. Find the volume of the largest such box.
Solution Let x metre be the length of a side of the removed squares. Then, the height
of the box is x, length is 8 – 2x and breadth is 3 – 2x (Fig 6.25). If V(x) is the volume
of the box, then

Fig 6.25
V (x) = x (3 – 2x) (8 – 2x)
= 4x3 – 22x2 + 24x

V′( x ) = 12 x − 44 x + 24 = 4( x − 3)(3x − 2)
2
Therefore 
V′′( x) = 24 x − 44

2
Now V′(x) = 0 gives x = 3, . But x ≠ 3 (Why?)
3
2 2 2
Thus, we have x = . Now V′′   = 24   − 44 = − 28 < 0 .
3 3 3

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 241

2 2
Therefore, x = is the point of maxima, i.e., if we remove a square of side
3 3
metre from each corner of the sheet and make a box from the remaining sheet, then
the volume of the box such obtained will be the largest and it is given by
2
3 2
V   = 4   − 22   + 24  
2 2 2
3 3 3 3
200 3
= m
27
 x 
Example 51 Manufacturer can sell x items at a price of rupees  5 −  each. The
100 

x 
cost price of x items is Rs  + 500 . Find the number of items he should sell to earn
5
maximum profit.
Solution Let S (x) be the selling price of x items and let C (x) be the cost price of x
items. Then, we have
 x  x2
S(x) =  5 −  x = 5x −
 100  100
x
and C (x) = + 500
5
Thus, the profit function P (x) is given by
x2 x
P(x) = S( x) − C ( x ) = 5 x − − − 500
100 5
24 x2
i.e. P(x) = x− − 500
5 100
24 x
or P′(x) = −
5 50
−1 −1
Now P′(x) = 0 gives x = 240. Also P′′( x) = . So P′′(240) = <0
50 50
Thus, x = 240 is a point of maxima. Hence, the manufacturer can earn maximum
profit, if he sells 240 items.

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242 MATHEMATICS

Miscellaneous Exercise on Chapter 6

1. Using differentials, find the approximate value of each of the following:
1
1
(a)  17  4 (b) (33)− 5
 
81

log x
2. Show that the function given by f ( x) = has maximum at x = e.
x
3. The two equal sides of an isosceles triangle with fixed base b are decreasing at
the rate of 3 cm per second. How fast is the area decreasing when the two equal
sides are equal to the base ?
4. Find the equation of the normal to curve x2 = 4y which passes through the point
(1, 2).
5. Show that the normal at any point θ to the curve
x = a cosθ + a θ sin θ, y = a sinθ – aθ cosθ
is at a constant distance from the origin.
6. Find the intervals in which the function f given by
4sin x − 2 x − x cos x
f ( x) =
2 + cos x
is (i) increasing (ii) decreasing.
1
7. Find the intervals in which the function f given by f ( x) = x 3 + , x ≠ 0 is
x3
(i) increasing (ii) decreasing.
x2 y 2
8. Find the maximum area of an isosceles triangle inscribed in the ellipse 2 + 2 = 1
a b
with its vertex at one end of the major axis.
9. A tank with rectangular base and rectangular sides, open at the top is to be
constructed so that its depth is 2 m and volume is 8 m3. If building of tank costs
Rs 70 per sq metres for the base and Rs 45 per square metre for sides. What is
the cost of least expensive tank?
10. The sum of the perimeter of a circle and square is k, where k is some constant.
Prove that the sum of their areas is least when the side of square is double the
radius of the circle.

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 243

11. A window is in the form of a rectangle surmounted by a semicircular opening.

The total perimeter of the window is 10 m. Find the dimensions of the window to
admit maximum light through the whole opening.
12. A point on the hypotenuse of a triangle is at distance a and b from the sides of
the triangle.
2 2 3
Show that the minimum length of the hypotenuse is (a 3 + b 3 ) 2 .
13. Find the points at which the function f given by f (x) = (x – 2)4 (x + 1)3 has
(i) local maxima (ii) local minima
(iii) point of inflexion
14. Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of the function f given by
f (x) = cos2 x + sin x, x ∈ [0, π]
15. Show that the altitude of the right circular cone of maximum volume that can be
4r
inscribed in a sphere of radius r is .
3
16. Let f be a function defined on [a, b] such that f ′(x) > 0, for all x ∈ (a, b). Then
prove that f is an increasing function on (a, b).
17. Show that the height of the cylinder of maximum volume that can be inscribed in
2R
a sphere of radius R is . Also find the maximum volume.
3
18. Show that height of the cylinder of greatest volume which can be inscribed in a
right circular cone of height h and semi vertical angle α is one-third that of the
4
cone and the greatest volume of cylinder is πh3 tan 2 α .
27
Choose the correct answer in the questions from 19 to 24.
19. A cylindrical tank of radius 10 m is being filled with wheat at the rate of 314
cubic metre per hour. Then the depth of the wheat is increasing at the rate of
(A) 1 m/h (B) 0.1 m/h
(C) 1.1 m/h (D) 0.5 m/h
20. The slope of the tangent to the curve x = t2 + 3t – 8, y = 2t2 – 2t – 5 at the point
(2,– 1) is
22 6 7 −6
(A) (B) (C) (D)
7 7 6 7

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244 MATHEMATICS

21. The line y = mx + 1 is a tangent to the curve y2 = 4x if the value of m is

1
(A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D)
2
22. The normal at the point (1,1) on the curve 2y + x2 = 3 is
(A) x + y = 0 (B) x – y = 0
(C) x + y +1 = 0 (D) x – y = 1
23. The normal to the curve x2 = 4y passing (1,2) is
(A) x + y = 3 (B) x – y = 3
(C) x + y = 1 (D) x – y = 1
2 3
24. The points on the curve 9y = x , where the normal to the curve makes equal
intercepts with the axes are
 8 −8
(A)  4, ±  (B) 4,
 3 3

 3  3
(C)  4, ±  (D)  ± 4, 
 8   8 

Summary
 If a quantity y varies with another quantity x, satisfying some rule y = f ( x ) ,
dy
then (or f ′ ( x) ) represents the rate of change of y with respect to x and
dx
dy
dx (or f ′(x0 ) ) represents the rate of change of y with respect to x at
x = x0

x = x0 .
 If two variables x and y are varying with respect to another variable t, i.e., if
x = f (t ) and y = g (t ) , then by Chain Rule
dy dy dx dx
= , if ≠0.
dx dt dt dt
 A function f is said to be
(a) increasing on an interval (a, b) if
x1 < x2 in (a, b) ⇒ f (x1) < f (x2) for all x1, x2 ∈ (a, b).

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 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVES 245

Alternatively, if f ′(x) ≥ 0 for each x in (a, b)

(b) decreasing on (a,b) if
x1 < x2 in (a, b) ⇒ f (x1) > f (x2) for all x1, x2 ∈ (a, b).
(c) constant in (a, b), if f (x) = c for all x ∈ (a, b), where c is a constant.
 The equation of the tangent at (x0, y0) to the curve y = f (x) is given by

dy 
y − y0 = ( x − x0 )
dx  ( x0 , y0 )

dy
 If
dx
does not exist at the point ( x0 , y0 ) , then the tangent at this point is
parallel to the y-axis and its equation is x = x0.
dy 
 If tangent to a curve y = f (x) at x = x0 is parallel to x-axis, then =0.
dx  x = x0

 Equation of the normal to the curve y = f (x) at a point ( x0 , y0 ) is given by

−1
y − y0 = ( x − x0 )
dy 
dx  ( x0 , y0 )

dy
 If
dx
at the point ( x0 , y0 ) is zero, then equation of the normal is x = x0.

dy
 If
dx
at the point ( x0 , y0 ) does not exist, then the normal is parallel to x-axis
and its equation is y = y0.
 Let y = f (x), ∆x be a small increment in x and ∆y be the increment in y
corresponding to the increment in x, i.e., ∆y = f (x + ∆x) – f (x). Then dy
given by
 dy 
dy = f ′ ( x )dx or dy =   ∆x .
 dx 
is a good approximation of ∆y when dx = ∆x is relatively small and we denote
it by dy ≈ ∆y.
 A point c in the domain of a function f at which either f ′(c) = 0 or f is not
differentiable is called a critical point of f.

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246 MATHEMATICS

 First Derivative Test Let f be a function defined on an open interval I. Let

f be continuous at a critical point c in I. Then
(i) If f ′(x) changes sign from positive to negative as x increases through c,
i.e., if f ′(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of c,
and f ′(x) < 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the right of c,
then c is a point of local maxima.
(ii) If f ′(x) changes sign from negative to positive as x increases through c,
i.e., if f ′(x) < 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of c,
and f ′(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the right of c,
then c is a point of local minima.
(iii) If f ′(x) does not change sign as x increases through c, then c is neither
a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima. Infact, such a point
is called point of inflexion.
 Second Derivative Test Let f be a function defined on an interval I and
c ∈ I. Let f be twice differentiable at c. Then
(i) x = c is a point of local maxima if f ′(c) = 0 and f ″(c) < 0
The values f (c) is local maximum value of f .
(ii) x = c is a point of local minima if f ′(c) = 0 and f ″(c) > 0
In this case, f (c) is local minimum value of f .
(iii) The test fails if f ′(c) = 0 and f ″(c) = 0.
In this case, we go back to the first derivative test and find whether c is
a point of maxima, minima or a point of inflexion.
 Working rule for finding absolute maxima and/or absolute minima
Step 1: Find all critical points of f in the interval, i.e., find points x where
either f ′(x) = 0 or f is not differentiable.
Step 2:Take the end points of the interval.
Step 3: At all these points (listed in Step 1 and 2), calculate the values of f .
Step 4: Identify the maximum and minimum values of f out of the values
calculated in Step 3. This maximum value will be the absolute maximum
value of f and the minimum value will be the absolute minimum value of f .

——

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