Mathematics Part 1

Mrs. Kristine Sevcenko

Using Derivative to Investigate the Monotonicity of Functions

(Stationary Points, Intervals of Increase and Decrease)
Definition 1. ( x0 , y0 ) is called the maximum point if y0 is the greatest function value in some segment ( x0 , x0 + ) , and the minimum point if it is the smallest function value. Minimum and maximum points are called the extremum points; the minimum and maximum values are called the extrema. Theorem. If in a segment (a, b) the derivative of a function is positive, then the function is increasing in that segment. Conversely, if the derivative is negative, then the function is decreasing. Notice that the gradient(slope) is positive in the first case, and negative in the second case. t the points !here the tangent line is hori"ontal, the gradient is 0. Definition 2. Stationary Points

horizontal inflexion means that at this point, the gradient is 0, #ut the change of direction does not occur; instead, a change of curvature (shape) can #e o#served (see x $ % in the diagram a#ove). Example 1. &ind the stationary points of f ( x) = x ' ' x % and determine their nature (min, max ,inflexion). f ( x ) = ' x % )( x ( = ' x ( ( x %) ; f ( x) = 0 if x $ 0 or x $ %; the gradient sign diagram*

+ence, (0, 0) is hori"ontal inflection; (%, ,(-) is a minimum point. .o illustrate, the graph (not to scale) is sho!n here*

Mathematics Part 1 Mrs. Kristine Sevcenko Example 2 &ind the extrema and intervals of monotonicity of the function f ( x) = ( x % + %x ( )( x + / . f ( x) = 0 x ( + 0 x )( = 0( x ( + x () = 0( x ))( x + () ; f ( x) = 0 if x $ ) or x $ ,(. .he sign diagram* .herefore the function increases for x 1 , (2 and x 1), +2 and it decreases for x 1 (,)2 . .he maximum point is (,(, (/); the minimum point is (), ,() (from the given function). 3raph to illustrate (not to scale). Note. Not all extreme points are stationary. local minimum or maximum can also happen at points !here the derivative does not exist (#ut the function itself is defined). .o analyse the function properly, all critical points of the derivative must #e found. point (c, f (c )) on the graph is called critical if a) f (c) = 0 or #) f ( x) does not exist for x = c. Example . f ( x) = % x ( ; f ( x) = ; critical point x$0. % x (the function is defined at x$0 #ut the derivative is not; rather, it is infinite).
%

f78 f

Exercises. 1. 4etermine the turning points of the function and state their nature. 5rite the intervals of monotonicity.
(a) f ( x) = x % + 0 x ( )/ x

) ' x + ' x% 6 x ( + / ( ( ( (c) f ( x ) = ( x ') x (d) f ( x) = ln( x ( + )) (x (e) f ( x) = ( x + x +) x+( (f) f ( x) = ( x 6 (g) f ( x) = xe x +)
(#) f ( x) =
% ( (h) f ( x) = % x x

2. 3iven the graph of the derivative y = f ( x) of the

function, find the intervals of monotonicity of the function y = f ( x) *

Mathematics Part 1

Mrs. Kristine Sevcenko

!econ" Derivative an" #oints of Inflexion

Definition $ curve is said to #e .

concave up (convex) in some segment of the domain if it lies above all tangents in that segment, and concave down (concave) if it lies below all tangents in that segment, Definition %. point of inflexion is a point on a curve at !hich a change of curvature (shape) occurs. It separates the segments of different concavity on the curve. .he inflexion can #e hori"ontal (stationary) or non,hori"ontal (non,stationary) 8 even vertical if the derivative does not exist (that is, f (c) = ). .

Note. .he tangent at the point of inflexion intersects the curve at that point. .he concept of tangent in calculus is lin:ed to the direction rather than the number of points common !ith the curve. Definition &. The second derivative of a function is the derivative of the derivative (in terms of :inetics, if the first derivative is velocity then second derivative is acceleration)*

f ( x) = ( f ( x) ) .

% &or example, if f ( x) = x +

( ( ' ( then f ( x) = % x ( and f ( x) = 0 x + % . x x x

In a similar manner, any derivative of n,th order can #e defined* f ( n ) ( x) = f ( n )) ( x )

Theorem to use the secon" "erivative for finding points of inflexion and intervals of concavity up;do!n*

<asy to memorise* negative f ( x) < 0 sad face positive* f ( x) > 0 happy face

(or !ater spills out of a dish)

(or !ater poured into a dish)

Mathematics Part 1 Example %. Investigate shape of the function f ( x) = x % ( x ( ' x + = .

Mrs. Kristine Sevcenko

.he first derivative (gradient function) is f ( x) = % x ( ' x ' and the critical points are x) = ( and ( x( = (#oth stationary points, f ( x) = 0 ). % .he second derivative is f ( x) = 0 x ' . .o decide the nature of the stationary points (minimum, maximum, or inflexion), instead of using the derivative sign diagram, the sign of the second derivative at those points can #e used* ( ( )% f = ' ' < 0 ; shape so the function has a maximum point at , 6 ; % % (- f (() = )( ' > 0 , shape therefore the function has a minimum point at >((, 0). (Note* if f ( x0 ) = 0 then maximum;minimum cannot #e decided #y the second derivative and gradient sign diagram has to #e used.) ( .he critical point for the second derivative is x% = , a possi#le inflexion point. >y chec:ing the signs of % ( (0 f ( x) !e see there indeed is an inflexion at C , ' . % (-

.he #ehaviour of the function is *

Exercises. . ?se second derivative to find the points of inflexion and !rite the intervals of concavity up!ards;do!n!ards of
the given function .
( % ( ' % ( (a) f ( x) = x )( x + %x + / (#) f ( x) = x )( x + '= x /0 (c) f ( x) = ln() + x ) (d) f ( x) =

x ' x(

%. @:etch an example of graph in a segment 2a, b1 clearly sho!ing its properties if*
(a) (#) (c) (d)

y > 0, y > 0, y < 0 y > 0, y < 0, y > 0 y < 0, y > 0, y > 0 y > 0, y < 0, y < 0

&. ?se second derivative to determine the extrema*

(a) f ( x) = x % )( x + /
' % (#) f ( x ) = ) ' x +x

(c)

f ( x) = e x
ln x x

(d) f ( x) =

'

Mathematics Part 1

Mrs. Kristine Sevcenko

'ptimisation
Many pro#lems in economics or engineering !here !e try to find the maximum or minimum value of a varia#le can #e solved using differential calculus techniAues. .he solution is often referred to as the optimum solution. Step 1* 4ra! a large, clear diagram(s) of the situation. Step 2* &ind an eAuation !ith the varia#le to #e optimised (maximised or minimised) as the su#Bect of the formula in terms of one convenient variable, e.g. x. lso find !hat restrictions there may #e on x. Step 3* &ind the first derivative and find the value(s) of x for !hich it eAuals zero. Step 4* @ho! #y the sign diagram test, the second derivative test or the graphical test, that you have a maximum or a minimum situation. If there is a restricted domain such as a x b , the maximum;minimum value of the function may occur also at x = a or at x = b, therefore it may #e necessary need to chec: f ( a) and f (b) . Example 1. @uppose !e have three positive num#ers, !hose sum is 60. 5hat is the greatest possi#le product of these num#ers if one of them must #e t!ice as large as a second num#erC Det x #e the second num#er; 0 < x < 60 ; then (x is the first and 60,%x is the third num#er. .he product can #e expressed as P ( x ) = x ( x (60 %x ) = )=0 x ( 0 x % , and this is the function !hose maxim must #e found. P( x) = %00 x )= x ( = )= x((0 x) . .he sign diagram on the domain is as follo!s* +ence, the maximum happens !hen x = (0 ; Pmax ( x) = P ((0) = (0 '0 (60 00) = ('000 . Example 2. n industrial storage shed is to have a total floor space of 000 m( and is to #e divided into % rectangular rooms of eAual si"e. .he !alls, internal and external, !ill cost E00 per metre to #uild. 5hat dimensions should the shed have to minimise the cost of the !allsC 5hat !ould the minimum expense #eC 000 (00 w= = for 0 < %x < 000 or 0 < x < (00 ; the cost function to minimise %x x (00 is C ( x) = ((% x + w) 00 = )(0 x + . x (00 C ( x ) = )(0 ) ( ; critical point in the domain x = (00 = )0 ( ; x the sign diagram on the domain as sho!n. (00 +ence Cmin ( x) = C ()0 () = )(0 )0 ( + = ('00 ( %%6' E . )0 ( w y x x x

Exercises. (. .he sum of t!o num#ers is )=; the sum of the first num#er sAuared and second num#er dou#led is the
least possi#le. &ind these num#ers.

). farmer has )(0 metres of fencing material. +e !ants to enclose a rectangular area as large as possi#le. 5hat should the dimensions of the rectangle #eC

Mathematics Part 1 Mrs. Kristine Sevcenko *. rectangular ca:e dish is made #y cutting out sAuares from the corners of a (/ cm #y '0 cm rectangle of tin,plate and folding the metal to form the container. 5hat si"e sAuares must #e cut out in order to produce the ca:e dish of maximum volumeC