Differentiation

y
You need to know the
difference between Increasing
and Decreasing Functions This function
is increasing x
for all values
An increasing function is one with a of x
positive gradient.

A decreasing function is one with a

negative gradient. y

This function
is decreasing x
for all values
of x

9A
 Differentiation
y
You need to know the
difference between Increasing
and Decreasing Functions
x
An increasing function is one with a
positive gradient.

A decreasing function is one with a

negative gradient. This function is
decreasing for x > 0,
and increasing for x < 0
Some functions are increasing in one
interval and decreasing in another.
At x = 0, the gradient is
0. This is known as a
stationary point.

9A
 Differentiation
You need to know the Example Question
difference between Increasing
and Decreasing Functions Show that the function ;
f ( x) x3 24 x 3
An increasing function is one with a
is an increasing function.
positive gradient.

A decreasing function is one with a f ( x) x3 24 x 3 Differentiate to

negative gradient. get the gradient
f '( x) 3x 2 24 function

Some functions are increasing in one

interval and decreasing in another.
You need to be able to work out
ranges of values where a function is
increasing or decreasing..
Since x2 has to be positive, 3x2 + 24
will be as well
So the gradient will always be
positive, hence an increasing function

9A
 Differentiation
You need to know the Example Question
difference between Increasing
and Decreasing Functions Find the range of values where:
f ( x) x 3 3 x 2 9 x
An increasing function is one with a
is an decreasing function.
positive gradient.
f ( x) x 3 3 x 2 9 x Differentiate for the
A decreasing function is one with a
gradient function
negative gradient.
f '( x) 3x 2 6x 9 We want the gradient
to be below 0
Some functions are increasing in one 3x 2 6 x 9 0
interval and decreasing in another. Factorise
3( x 2 x 3) 0
2

Factorise again
You need to be able to work out 3( x 3)( x 1) 0
ranges of values where a function is Normally x = -3 and
1
increasing or decreasing..
x 3 OR x 1 BUT, we want values
that will make the
3 x 1 function negative
9A
 Differentiation
You need to know the
difference between Increasing
and Decreasing Functions
y f(x)
Example Question
Find the range of values where:
f ( x) x 3 3 x 2 9 x
is an decreasing function.

f ( x) x 3 3 x 2 9 x Differentiate for the

gradient function
f '( x) 3x 2 6x 9 We want the gradient
to be below 0
x 3x 2 6 x 9 0
Factorise
3( x 2 x 3) 0
2

Factorise again
3( x 3)( x 1) 0 Normally x = -3 and
-3 1 1
x 3 OR x 1 BUT, we want values
that will make the
Decreasing Function range
3 x 1 function negative
9A
 Differentiation
You need to be able to calculate
the co-ordinates of Stationary y
points, and determine their nature
Local
A point where f(x) stops increasing and maximum
starts decreasing is called a maximum
point

x
A point where f(x) stops decreasing and Point of
starts increasing is called a minimum point inflexion
Local
A point of inflexion is where the gradient minimum
is locally a maximum or minimum (the
gradient does not have to change from
positive to negative, for example)

These are all known as turning points, and

occur where f(x) = 0 (for now at least!)
9B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to calculate
the co-ordinates of Stationary y
points, and determine their nature
Local
To find the coordinates of these points, maximum
you need to:

1) Differentiate f(x) to get the Gradient x

Function Point of
inflexion
2) Solve f(x) by setting it equal to 0 (as Local
this represents the gradient being 0) minimum

3) Substitute the value(s) of x into the

original equation to find the
corresponding y-coordinate

9B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to calculate Example Question
the co-ordinates of Stationary
Find the coordinates of the turning point on the
points, and determine their nature curve y = x4 32x, and state whether it is a
minimum or maximum.
To find the coordinates of these points,
you need to: y x 4 32 x
Differentiate
dy
1) Differentiate f(x) to get the Gradient 4 x 3 32
Function dx Set equal to 0

4 x3 32 0
2) Solve f(x) by setting it equal to 0 (as Add 32
this represents the gradient being 0) 4 x 32
3
Divide by 4, then cube root
x2
3) Substitute the value(s) of x into the
original equation to find the
corresponding y-coordinate
y x 4 32 x Sub 2 into the original
y (2)4 32(2) equation
The stationary point is at Work out the y-
(2, -48) y 48 coordinate
9B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to calculate Example Question
the co-ordinates of Stationary
Find the coordinates of the turning point on the
points, and determine their nature curve y = x4 32x, and state whether it is a
minimum or maximum.
To find the coordinates of these points, you
need to: y x 4 32 x The stationary
point is at (2, -48)
1) Differentiate f(x) to get the Gradient dy
Function 4 x 3 32
dx Differentiate again
2) Solve f(x) by setting it equal to 0 (as this d2y
represents the gradient being 0) 12 x 2
So the stationary
dx 2 point is a MINIMUM
3) Substitute the value(s) of x into the original in this case!
equation to find the corresponding y-coordinate 12x 2
Sub in the x
coordinate
4) To determine whether the point is a minimum 12(2)2
or a maximum, you need to work out f(x) Positive = Minimum
(differentiate again!)
Negative = Maximum
48
9B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to calculate Example Question
the co-ordinates of Stationary
Find the stationary points on the curve:
points, and determine their nature y = 2x3 15x2 + 24x + 6, and state whether they
are minima, maxima or points of inflexion
To find the coordinates of these points, you
need to: y 2 x3 15x 2 24 x 6
Differentiate
1) Differentiate f(x) to get the Gradient f '( x) 6 x 30x 24
2

Function Set equal to 0

6 x 30 x 24 0
2

Factorise
2) Solve f(x) by setting it equal to 0 (as this
represents the gradient being 0) 6( x 5x 4) 0
2

Factorise again
6( x 4)( x 1) 0
3) Substitute the value(s) of x into the original Write the
equation to find the corresponding y-coordinate x 4 OR x 1 solutions

4) To determine whether the point is a minimum
or a maximum, you need to work out f(x)
(differentiate again!)
Substituting into the original formula will give
the following coordinates as stationary points:
(1, 17) and (4, -10)
9B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to calculate Example Question
the co-ordinates of Stationary
Find the stationary points on the curve:
points, and determine their nature y = 2x3 15x2 + 24x + 6, and state whether they
are minima, maxima or points of inflexion
To find the coordinates of these points, you
need to: y 2 x3 15x 2 24 x 6 Stationary points at:
(1, 17) and (4, -10)
1) Differentiate f(x) to get the Gradient f '( x) 6 x 2 30x 24 Differentiate
Function again
f ''( x) 12 x 30
2) Solve f(x) by setting it equal to 0 (as this
represents the gradient being 0)
Sub in x = 1 Sub in x = 4

3) Substitute the value(s) of x into the original f ''( x) 12 x 30 f ''( x) 12 x 30

equation to find the corresponding y-coordinate
f ''(1) 12(1) 30 f ''(4) 12(4) 30
4) To determine whether the point is a minimum f ''(1) 18 f ''(4) 18
or a maximum, you need to work out f(x)
(differentiate again!) So (1,17) is So (4,-10) is
a Maximum a Minimum
9B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to calculate Example Question
the co-ordinates of Stationary
Find the maximum possible value for y in the
points, and determine their nature formula y = 6x x2. State the range of the
function.
To find the coordinates of these points, you
need to: y 6x x2
Differentiate
1) Differentiate f(x) to get the Gradient dy
6 2x
Function dx
Set equal to 0
2) Solve f(x) by setting it equal to 0 (as this 6 2x 0
represents the gradient being 0) Solve
x 3
3) Substitute the value(s) of x into the original
equation to find the corresponding y-coordinate
y 6x x2 Sub x into the
original equation
4) To determine whether the point is a minimum y 6(3) (3)2
or a maximum, you need to work out f(x) Solve
(differentiate again!) y 9
9 is the maximum, so the range
y9 is less than but including 9
9B
 Differentiation
You need to be able to recognise
practical problems that can be solved by
using the idea of maxima and minima

Whenever you see a question asking about

the maximum value or minimum value of a
quantity, you will most likely need to use
differentiation at some point.

Most questions will involve creating a

formula, for example for Volume or Area,
and then calculating the maximum value of
it.

A practical application would be If I have

a certain amount of material to make a
box, how can I make the one with the
largest volume? (maximum)

9C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to recognise Example Question
practical problems that can be solved by
using the idea of maxima and minima A large tank (shown) is to be made from 54m2 of
sheet metal. It has no top.
1) Try to make formulae using the
information you have Show that the Volume of the tank will be given
by:
V x2 y Formula for the Volume x 2
V 18 x x3
3
Formula for the x
SA 2 x 3xy
2
Surface Area (no y
top)
3) Substitute the SA formula into the
Volume formula, to replace y.
54 2 x 3xy
2

V x2 y 54 x 2 2 x 4
2) Find a way to remove a constant, in this
case y. We can rewrite the Surface Area
V
formula in terms of y. 54 2 x 2 3x 3x
V x 2

54 2 x 2 3xy 54 2 x 2 3xy 3 x
2
54 2 x 2
54 x 2 x2 4 V 18 x x3
y V 3
3x 3x 9C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to recognise Example Question
practical problems that can be solved by
using the idea of maxima and minima A large tank (shown) is to be made from 54m2 of
sheet metal. It has no top.
2 Show that the Volume of the tank will be given
V 18 x x3 by:
3 Differentiate 2
x V 18 x x3
dV 3
18 2 x 2 x
dx Set equal to 0 y 54 2 x 2 3xy
b) Calculate the values of x that will give
18 2 x 2 0 the largest volume possible, and what this
Rearrange
Volume is.
18 2x 2

Solve
x 3
2
V 18 x x3
3 Sub the x value in
2
V 18(3) (3)3 V 36m3
3 9C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to recognise Example Question
practical problems that can be solved by
using the idea of maxima and minima A wire of length 2m is bent into the shape
shown, made up of a Rectangle and a Semi-circle.
1) Find the length of the semi-circle,
as this makes up part of the length. y a) Find an expression
for y in terms of x.
x x
2 2y x Rearrange
x
2
2 to get y
x alone y
2 x 2y
2
Divide by 2
x x
1 y
2 4

9C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to recognise Example Question
practical problems that can be solved by
using the idea of maxima and minima A wire of length 2m is bent into the shape
shown, made up of a Rectangle and a Semi-circle.
1) Work out the areas of the
Rectangle and Semi-circle separately. y a) Find an expression
for y in terms of x.
Rectangle Semi Circle
x b) Show that the Area is:
xy r2 2 A
x
(8 4 x x)
2 y 8
x x x
2 y 1
2 2 4
x2
2
4
x2
8 9C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to recognise Example Question
practical problems that can be solved by
using the idea of maxima and minima A wire of length 2m is bent into the shape
shown, made up of a Rectangle and a Semi-circle.
1) Work out the areas of the
Rectangle and Semi-circle separately. y a) Find an expression
for y in terms of x.
Rectangle Semi Circle
x b) Show that the Area is:
xy x 2
x
A (8 4 x x)
8 y 8
x2 x x
A xy y 1
8 Replace
2 4
y
x x x2 x2 x2
A x 1 A x
2 4 8 2 8 Factorise
Expand
x2 x2 x2 x
A (8 4 x x)
A x
2 4 8 8 9C
 Differentiation
You need to be able to recognise Example Question
practical problems that can be solved by
using the idea of maxima and minima A wire of length 2m is bent into the shape
shown, made up of a Rectangle and a Semi-circle.
1) Use the formula we have for the
Area y a) Find an expression
for y in terms of x.
x x
A (8 4 x x) b) Show that the Area is:
8 x
Expand
A (8 4 x x)
x2 x2 y 8
A x
2 8 x x c) Find the maximum
Differentiate y 1 possible Area
dA x 2 4
1 x
dx 4 Set equal to 0
4 4x x
2 x Factorise
1 x 0 4 x 4
8 Multiply by 8
Divide by (4 + )
8 8x 2 x 0 Divide by 2
0.56 x
4 4x x 0 A 0.28m 2
9C
 Summary
We have expanded our knowledge of
Differentiation to include stationary
points

We have looked at using maxima and

minima to solve more practical problems