388 CHAPTER 4 APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

y y
60
20
30

x x
−4 −2 2 4 −2 2 4

−20

(A) (B)
FIGURE 12 Cubic polynomials

SOLUTION Let f .x/ D 13 x 3 C 12 ax 2 C bx C c. Using Exercise 92, we have g.x/ D f 0 .x/ D x 2 C ax C b > 0 for all x
provided b > 41 a2 , in which case f has no critical points and hence no local extrema. (Actually b  41 a2 will suf ce, since in this
case [as we’ll see in a later section] f has an in!ection point but no local extrema.)
96. Find the min and max of

f .x/ D x p .1 x/q on Œ0; 1,

where p; q > 0.
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x p .1 x/q ; 0  x  1, where p and q are positive numbers. Then

f 0 .x/ D x p q.1 x/q 1

. 1/ C .1 x/q px p 1

p
D xp 1
.1 x/q 1
.p.1 x/ qx/ D 0 at x D 0; 1;
pCq
The minimum value of f on Œ0; 1 is f .0/ D f .1/ D 0, whereas its maximum value is
pp qq
 
p
f D :
pCq .p C q/pCq

97. Prove that if f is continuous and f .a/ and f .b/ are local minima where a < b, then there exists a value c between
a and b such that f .c/ is a local maximum. (Hint: Apply Theorem 1 to the interval Œa; b.) Show that continuity is a necessary
hypothesis by sketching the graph of a function (necessarily discontinuous) with two local minima but no local maximum.
SOLUTION

 Let f .x/ be a continuous function with f .a/ and f .b/ local minima on the interval Œa; b. By Theorem 1, f .x/ must take on
both a minimum and a maximum on Œa; b. Since local minima occur at f .a/ and f .b/, the maximum must occur at some
other point in the interval, call it c, where f .c/ is a local maximum.
 The function graphed here is discontinuous at x D 0.
y

8
6
4

x
−8 −6 −4 −2 2 4 6 8

4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity

Preliminary Questions
1. For which value of m is the following statement correct? If f .2/ D 3 and f .4/ D 9, and f .x/ is differentiable, then f has a
tangent line of slope m.
SOLUTION The Mean Value Theorem guarantees that the function has a tangent line with slope equal to

f .4/ f .2/ 9 3
D D 3:
4 2 4 2
Hence, m D 3 makes the statement correct.
2. Assume f is differentiable. Which of the following statements does not follow from the MVT?
(a) If f has a secant line of slope 0, then f has a tangent line of slope 0.
(b) If f .5/ < f .9/, then f 0 .c/ > 0 for some c 2 .5; 9/.
(c) If f has a tangent line of slope 0, then f has a secant line of slope 0.
(d) If f 0 .x/ > 0 for all x, then every secant line has positive slope.
 S E C T I O N 4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity 389

SOLUTION Conclusion (c) does not follow from the Mean Value Theorem. As a counterexample, consider the function f .x/ D
x 3 . Note that f 0 .0/ D 0, but no secant line has zero slope.
3. Can a function that takes on only negative values have a positive derivative? If so, sketch an example.
SOLUTION Yes. The gure below displays a function that takes on only negative values but has a positive derivative.
y

4. For f .x/ with derivative as in Figure 1:

(a) Is f .c/ a local minimum or maximum?
(b) Is f .x/ a decreasing function?
y

x
c

FIGURE 1 Graph of derivative f 0 .x/.

SOLUTION
(a) To the left of x D c, the derivative is positive, so f is increasing; to the right of x D c, the derivative is negative, so f is
decreasing. Consequently, f .c/ must be a local maximum.
(b) No. The derivative is a decreasing function, but as noted in part (a), f .x/ is increasing for x < c and decreasing for x > c.

Exercises
In Exercises 1–8, nd a point c satisfying the conclusion of the MVT for the given function and interval.

1. y D x 1, Œ2; 8
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 1, a D 2, b D 8. Then f 0 .x/ D x 2, and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 .2; 8/ such that
1 1
1 f .b/ f .a/ 1
D f 0 .c/ D D 8 2
D :
c2 b a 8 2 16
Thus c 2 D 16 and c D ˙4. Choose c D 4 2 .2; 8/.
p
2. y D x, Œ9; 25
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 1=2 , a D 9, b D 25. Then f 0 .x/ D 12 x 1=2 , and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 .9; 25/ such that

1 1=2 f .b/ f .a/ 5 3 1

c D f 0 .c/ D D D :
2 b a 25 9 8
Thus p1 D 1
and c D 16 2 .9; 25/.
c 4

3. y D cos x sin x, Œ0; 2

SOLUTION Let f .x/ D cos x sin x, a D 0, b D 2. Then f 0 .x/ D sin x cos x, and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 .0; 2/
such that
f .b/ f .a/ 1 1
sin c cos c D f 0 .c/ D D D 0:
b a 2 0
3 7
Thus sin c D cos c. Choose either c D 4 or c D 4 2 .0; 2/.
x
4. y D , Œ1; 4
xC2
2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x= .x C 2/, a D 1, b D 4. Then f 0 .x/ D .xC2/2
, and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 .1; 4/ such that

2 1
2 f .b/ f .a/ 1
2
D f 0 .c/ D D 3 3
D :
.c C 2/ b a 4 1 9
p p
Thus .c C 2/2 D 18 and c D 2 ˙ 3 2. Choose c D 3 2 2  2:24 2 .1; 4/.
390 CHAPTER 4 APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

5. y D x 3 , Œ 4; 5
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 3 , a D 4, b D 5. Then f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 , and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 . 4; 5/ such that

f .b/ f .a/ 189

3c 2 D f 0 .c/ D D D 21:
b a 9
p
Solving for c yields c 2 D 7, so c D ˙ 7. Both of these values are in the interval Œ 4; 5, so either value can be chosen.
6. y D x ln x, Œ1; 2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x ln x, a D 1, b D 2. Then f 0 .x/ D 1 C ln x, and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 .1; 2/ such that

f .b/ f .a/ 2 ln 2
1 C ln c D f 0 .c/ D D D 2 ln 2:
b a 1
4
Solving for c yields c D e 2ln2 1 D e  1:4715 2 .1; 2/.
7. y D e 2x , Œ0; 3
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D e 2x , a D 0, b D 3. Then f 0 .x/ D 2e 2x , and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 .0; 3/ such that

2c f .b/ f .a/ e 6 1 e 6 1
2e D f 0 .c/ D D D :
b a 3 0 3
Solving for c yields
!
1 1 e 6
cD ln  0:8971 2 .0; 3/:
2 6
8. y D e x x, Œ 1; 1
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D e x x, a D 1, b D 1. Then f 0 .x/ D e x 1, and by the MVT, there exists a c 2 . 1; 1/ such that

f .b/ f .a/ .e 1/ .e 1 C 1/ 1
ec 1 D f 0 .c/ D D D .e e 1
/ 1:
b a 1 . 1/ 2
Solving for c yields
!
e e 1
c D ln  0:1614 2 . 1; 1/:
2

9. Let f .x/ D x 5 C x 2 . The secant line between x D 0 and x D 1 has slope 2 (check this), so by the MVT, f 0 .c/ D 2
for some c 2 .0; 1/. Plot f .x/ and the secant line on the same axes. Then plot y D 2x C b for different values of b until the line
becomes tangent to the graph of f . Zoom in on the point of tangency to estimate x-coordinate c of the point of tangency.
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 5 C x 2 . The slope of the secant line between x D 0 and x D 1 is

f .1/ f .0/ 2 0
D D 2:
1 0 1
A plot of f .x/, the secant line between x D 0 and x D 1, and the line y D 2x 0:764 is shown below at the left. The line
y D 2x 0:764 appears to be tangent to the graph of y D f .x/. Zooming in on the point of tangency (see below at the right), it
appears that the x-coordinate of the point of tangency is approximately 0.62.
y

0.6
y y = x5 + x 2

0.5
4

2 0.4
y = 2x − .764

x 0.3 x
1 0.52 0.56 0.6 0.64

10. Plot the derivative of f .x/ D 3x 5 5x 3 . Describe its sign changes and use this to determine the local extreme values
of f .x/. Then graph f .x/ to con rm your conclusions.
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D 3x 5 5x 3 . Then f 0 .x/ D 15x 4 15x 2 D 15x 2 .x 2 1/. The graph of f 0 .x/ is shown below at the
left. Because f 0 .x/ changes from positive to negative at x D 1, f .x/ changes from increasing to decreasing and therefore has
a local maximum at x D 1. At x D 1, f 0 .x/ changes from negative to positive, so f .x/ changes from decreasing to increasing
and therefore has a local minimum. Though f 0 .x/ D 0 at x D 0, f 0 .x/ does not change sign at x D 0, so f .x/ has neither a local
maximum nor a local minimum at x D 0. The graph of f .x/, shown below at the right, con rms each of these conclusions.
 S E C T I O N 4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity 391

y y

80 10

60 5
1
40 x
−2 −1 2
20 −5

x −10
−2 −1 1 2

11. Determine the intervals on which f 0 .x/ is positive and negative, assuming that Figure 2 is the graph of f .x/.

x
1 2 3 4 5 6

FIGURE 2

SOLUTION The derivative of f is positive on the intervals .0; 1/ and .3; 5/ where f is increasing; it is negative on the intervals
.1; 3/ and .5; 6/ where f is decreasing.
12. Determine the intervals on which f .x/ is increasing or decreasing, assuming that Figure 2 is the graph of f 0 .x/.
SOLUTION f .x/ is increasing on every interval .a; b/ over which f 0 .x/ > 0, and is decreasing on every interval over which
f 0 .x/ < 0. If the graph of f 0 .x/ is given in Figure 2, then f .x/ is increasing on the intervals .0; 2/ and .4; 6/, and is decreasing
on the interval .2; 4/.
13. State whether f .2/ and f .4/ are local minima or local maxima, assuming that Figure 2 is the graph of f 0 .x/.
SOLUTION

 f 0 .x/ makes a transition from positive to negative at x D 2, so f .2/ is a local maximum.

 f 0 .x/ makes a transition from negative to positive at x D 4, so f .4/ is a local minimum.
14. Figure 3 shows the graph of the derivative f 0 .x/ of a function f .x/. Find the critical points of f .x/ and determine whether
they are local minima, local maxima, or neither.

y y = f '(x)

x
−2 −1 0.5 2 3
−2

FIGURE 3

SOLUTION Since f 0 .x/ D 0 when x D 1, x D 12 and x D 2, these are the critical points of f . At x D 1, there is no sign
transition in f 0 , so f . 1/ is neither a local maximum nor a local minimum. At x D 21 , f 0 transitions from C to , so f . 21 / is a
local maximum. Finally, at x D 2, f 0 transitions from to C, so f .2/ is a local minimum.

In Exercises 15–18, sketch the graph of a function f .x/ whose derivative f 0 .x/ has the given description.

15. f 0 .x/ > 0 for x > 3 and f 0 .x/ < 0 for x < 3
SOLUTION Here is the graph of a function f for which f 0 .x/ > 0 for x > 3 and f 0 .x/ < 0 for x < 3.

10

x
0 1 2 3 4 5
392 CHAPTER 4 APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

16. f 0 .x/ > 0 for x < 1 and f 0 .x/ < 0 for x > 1
SOLUTION Here is the graph of a function f for which f 0 .x/ > 0 for x < 1 and f 0 .x/ < 0 for x > 1.

x
−1 1 2 3

−2

17. f 0 .x/ is negative on .1; 3/ and positive everywhere else.

SOLUTION Here is the graph of a function f for which f 0 .x/ is negative on .1; 3/ and positive elsewhere.

8
6
4
2
x
1 2 3 4
−2

18. f 0 .x/ makes the sign transitions C; ; C; .

SOLUTION Here is the graph of a function f for which f 0 makes the sign transitions C; ; C; .

60
40
20
x
−4 −2 2 4

−40

In Exercises 19–22, nd all critical points of f and use the First Derivative Test to determine whether they are local minima or
maxima.
19. f .x/ D 4 C 6x x 2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D 4 C 6x x 2 . Then f 0 .x/ D 6 2x D 0 implies that x D 3 is the only critical point of f . As x
increases through 3, f 0 .x/ makes the sign transition C; . Therefore, f .3/ D 13 is a local maximum.
20. f .x/ D x 3 12x 4
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 3 12x 4. Then, f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 12 D 3.x 2/.x C 2/ D 0 implies that x D ˙2 are critical points
of f . As x increases through 2, f 0 .x/ makes the sign transition C; ; therefore, f . 2/ is a local maximum. On the other hand,
as x increases through 2, f 0 .x/ makes the sign transition ; C; therefore, f .2/ is a local minimum.
x2
21. f .x/ D
xC1
x2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D . Then
xC1
x.x C 2/
f 0 .x/ D D0
.x C 1/2
implies that x D 0 and x D 2 are critical points. Note that x D 1 is not a critical point because it is not in the domain of f .
As x increases through 2, f 0 .x/ makes the sign transition C; so f . 2/ D 4 is a local maximum. As x increases through 0,
f 0 .x/ makes the sign transition ; C so f .0/ D 0 is a local minimum.
22. f .x/ D x 3 C x 3
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 3 C x 3 . Then

3 6 3
f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 3x 4
D .x 1/ D .x 1/.x C 1/.x 2 x C 1/.x 2 C x C 1/ D 0
x4 x4
implies that x D ˙1 are critical points of f . Though f 0 .x/ does not exist at x D 0, x D 0 is not a critical point of f because it is
not in the domain of f . As x increases through 1, f 0 .x/ makes the sign transition C; ; therefore, f . 1/ is a local maximum.
On the other hand, as x increases through 1, f 0 .x/ makes the sign transition ; C; therefore, f .1/ is a local minimum.
 S E C T I O N 4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity 393

In Exercises 23–52, nd the critical points and the intervals on which the function is increasing or decreasing. Use the First
Derivative Test to determine whether the critical point is a local min or max (or neither).
SOLUTION Here is a table legend for Exercises 23–44.

SYMBOL MEANING
The entity is negative on the given interval.
0 The entity is zero at the speci ed point.
C The entity is positive on the given interval.
U The entity is unde ned at the speci ed point.
% f is increasing on the given interval.
& f is decreasing on the given interval.
M f has a local maximum at the speci ed point.
m f has a local minimum at the speci ed point.
: There is no local extremum here.

23. y D x 2 C 7x 17
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 2 C 7x 17. Then f 0 .x/ D 7 2x D 0 yields the critical point c D 72 .
   
7 7
x 1; 2 7=2 2;1

f0 C 0
f % M &

24. y D 5x 2 C 6x 4
3
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D 5x 2 C 6x 4. Then f 0 .x/ D 10x C 6 D 0 yields the critical point c D 5.
   
3 3
x 1; 5 3=5 5;1

f0 0 C
f & m %

25. y D x 3 12x 2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 3 12x 2 . Then f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 24x D 3x.x 8/ D 0 yields critical points c D 0; 8.

x . 1; 0/ 0 .0; 8/ 8 .8; 1/
f 0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m %

26. y D x.x 2/3

SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x .x 2/3 . Then

f 0 .x/ D x
3 .x 2/2 C .x 2/3
1 D .4x 2/ .x 2/2 D 0

yields critical points c D 2; 12 .

x . 1; 1=2/ 1=2 .1=2; 2/ 2 .2; 1/

f 0 0 C 0 C
f & m % : %

27. y D 3x 4 C 8x 3 6x 2 24x
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D 3x 4 C 8x 3 6x 2 24x. Then

f 0 .x/ D 12x 3 C 24x 2 12x 24

2
D 12x .x C 2/ 12.x C 2/ D 12.x C 2/.x 2 1/
394 CHAPTER 4 APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

D 12 .x 1/ .x C 1/ .x C 2/ D 0

yields critical points c D 2; 1; 1.

x . 1; 2/ 2 . 2; 1/ 1 . 1; 1/ 1 .1; 1/
f 0 0 C 0 0 C
f & m % M & m %

28. y D x 2 C .10 x/2

SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 2 C .10 x/2 . Then f 0 .x/ D 2x C 2 .10 x/ . 1/ D 4x 20 D 0 yields the critical point c D 5.

x . 1; 5/ 5 .5; 1/
f0 0 C
f & m %
1 3 3 2
29. y D 3x C 2x C 2x C 4
1 3 3 2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D 3x C 2x C 2x C 4. Then f 0 .x/ D x 2 C 3x C 2 D .x C 1/ .x C 2/ D 0 yields critical points
cD 2; 1.

x . 1; 2/ 2 . 2; 1/ 1 . 1; 1/
f 0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m %

30. y D x4 C x3
3
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 4 C x 3 . Then f 0 .x/ D 4x 3 C 3x 2 D x 2 .4x C 3/ yields critical points c D 0; 4.
   
3 3 3
x 1; 4 4 4; 0 0 .0; 1/

f0 0 C 0 C
f & m % : %

31. y D x 5 C x 3 C 1
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 5 C x 3 C 1. Then f 0 .x/ D 5x 4 C 3x 2 D x 2 .5x 2 C 3/ yields a single critical point: c D 0.

x . 1; 0/ 0 .0; 1/
f 0 C 0 C
f % : %

32. y D x 5 C x 3 C x
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 5 C x 3 C x. Then f 0 .x/ D 5x 4 C 3x 2 C 1  1 for all x. Thus, f has no critical points and is always
increasing.
33. y D x 4 4x 3=2 (x > 0)
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 4 4x 3=2 for x > 0. Then f 0 .x/ D 4x 3 6x 1=2 D 2x 1=2 .2x 5=2 3/ D 0, which gives us the
critical point c D . 32 /2=5 . (Note: c D 0 is not in the interval under consideration.)

3 2=5 3 2=5
 
3 2=5



x 0; 2 2 2 ;1

f0 0 C
f & m %

34. y D x 5=2 x2 (x > 0)

5 3=2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 5=2 x 2 . Then f 0 .x/ D 2x 2x D x. 52 x 1=2 2/ D 0, so the critical point is c D 16
25 . (Note:
c D 0 is not in the interval under consideration.)

0; 16 16 16



x 25 25 25 ; 1
f0 0 C
f & m %
 S E C T I O N 4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity 395

1
35. y D x C x .x > 0/
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x C x 1 for x > 0. Then f 0 .x/ D 1 x 2 D 0 yields the critical point c D 1. (Note: c D 1 is not in
the interval under consideration.)

x .0; 1/ 1 .1; 1/
f 0 0 C
f & m %

36. y D x 2 4x 1 (x > 0)
2 1. 1
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 4x Then f 0 .x/ D 2x 3 C 4x 2 D 0 yields 2 C 4x D 0. Thus, 2x D 1, and x D 2.

x .0; 21 / 1
2 . 12 ; 1/
f0 0 C
f & m %

1
37. y D
x2 C 1
1 2
Let f .x/ D x 2 C 1 . Then f 0 .x/ D 2x x 2 C 1



SOLUTION D 0 yields critical point c D 0.

x . 1; 0/ 0 .0; 1/
f 0 C 0
f % M &

2x C 1
38. y D
x2 C 1
2x C 1
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D . Then
x2 C 1

x 2 C 1 .2/ 2 x2 C x 1



0 .2x C 1/ .2x/
f .x/ D
2 D
2 D0
2
x C1 x2 C 1
p
1˙ 5
yields critical points c D .
2
 p  p  p p  p  p 
x 1; 1 2 5 1
2
5 1
2
5
; 1C 5
2
1C 5
2
1C 5
2 ; 1

f 0 0 C 0
f & m % M &

x3
39. y D
x2 C1
x3
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D . Then
x2 C 1

.x 2 C 1/.3x 2 / x 3 .2x/ x 2 .x 2 C 3/
f 0 .x/ D 2 2
D D0
.x C 1/ .x 2 C 1/2
yields the single critical point c D 0.

x . 1; 0/ 0 .0; 1/
f 0 C 0 C
f % : %

x3
40. y D
x2 3
396 CHAPTER 4 APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

x3
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D . Then
x2 3
.x 2 3/.3x 2 / x 3 .2x/ x 2 .x 2 9/
f 0 .x/ D 2 2
D D0
.x 3/ .x 2 3/2
p
yields the critical points c D 0 and c D ˙3. c D ˙ 3 are not critical points because they are not in the domain of f .
p p p p p p
x . 1; 3/ 3 . 3; 3/ 3 . 3; 0/ 0 .0; 3/ 3 . 3; 3/ 3 .3; 1/
f0 C 0 1 0 1 0 C
f % M & : & : & : & m %

41. y D  C sin  C cos 


SOLUTION Let f ./ D  C sin  C cos . Then f 0 ./ D 1 C cos  sin  D 0 yields the critical points c D 2 and c D .

  



 0; 2 2 2 ;  .; 2/
f0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m %
p
42. y D sin  C 3 cos 
p p  7
SOLUTION Let f ./ D sin  C 3 cos . Then f 0 ./ D cos  3 sin  D 0 yields the critical points c D 6 and c D 6 .
   
   7 7 7


 0; 6 6 6; 6 6 6 ; 2

f0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m %

43. y D sin2  C sin 

SOLUTION Let f ./ D sin2  C sin . Then f 0 ./ D 2 sin  cos  C cos  D cos .2 sin  C 1/ D 0 yields the critical points
c D 2 , 7 3 11
6 , 2 , and 6 .
       
   7 7 7 3 3 3 11 11 11


 0; 2 2 2; 6 6 6 ; 2 2 2 ; 6 6 6 ; 2

f0 C 0 0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m % M & m %

44. y D  2 cos , Œ0; 2

7 11
SOLUTION Let f ./ D  2 cos . Then f 0 ./ D 1 C 2 sin  D 0, which yields c D 6 ; 6 on the interval Œ0; 2.
     
7 7 7 11 11 11
 0; 6 6 6 ; 6 6 6 ; 2

f0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m %

45. y D x C e x

SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x C e x. Then f 0 .x/ D 1 e x, which yields c D 0 as the only critical point.

x . 1; 0/ 0 .0; 1/
f0 0 C
f & m %

ex
46. y D .x > 0/
x
ex
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x . Then

xe x e x e x .x 1/
f 0 .x/ D 2
D ;
x x2
which yields c D 1 as the only critical point.
 S E C T I O N 4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity 397

x .0; 1/ 1 .1; 1/
f0 0 C
f & m %
x  
 
47. y D e cos x, 2; 2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D e x cos x. Then

f 0 .x/ D e x
sin x e x
cos x D e x
.sin x C cos x/;
  
which yields c D 4 as the only critical point on the interval Œ 2 ; 2 .

    


x 2; 4 4 4; 2
f0 C 0
f % M &

48. y D x 2ex
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 2 e x . Then f 0 .x/ D x 2 e x C 2xe x D xe x .x C 2/, which yields c D 2 and c D 0 as critical points.

x . 1; 2/ 2 . 2; 0/ 0 .0; 1/
f0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m %
1x 1
49. y D tan 2x
1x 1
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D tan 2 x. Then

1 1
f 0 .x/ D ;
1 C x2 2
which yields c D ˙1 as critical points.

x . 1; 1/ 1 . 1; 1/ 1 .1; 1/
f 0 0 C 0
f & m % M &

50. y D .x 2 2x/e x
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D .x 2 2x/e x . Then

f 0 .x/ D .x 2 2x/e x C .2x 2/e x D .x 2 2/e x ;

p
which yields c D ˙ 2 as critical points.
p
p p p
p p

x 1; 2 2 2; 2 2 2; 1
f0 C 0 0 C
f % M & m %
51. y D x ln x .x > 0/
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x ln x. Then f 0 .x/ D 1 x 1, which yields c D 1 as the only critical point.

x .0; 1/ 1 .1; 1/
f0 0 C
f & m %
ln x
52. y D .x > 0/
x
ln x
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x . Then

1 ln x
f 0 .x/ D ;
x2
which yields c D e as the only critical point.
398 CHAPTER 4 APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

x .0; e/ e .e; 1/

f0 C 0

f % M &

53. Find the minimum value of f .x/ D xx for x > 0.

1
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x x . By logarithmic differentiation, we know that f 0 .x/ D x x .1 C ln x/. Thus, x D e is the only critical
1 1
point. Because f 0 .x/ < 0 for 0 < x < e and f 0 .x/ > 0 for x > e,
   1=e
1 1
f D  0:692201
e e
is the minimum value.
b b
54. Show that f .x/ D x 2 C bx C c is decreasing on



1; 2 and increasing on 2;1 .
b
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 2 C bx C c. Then f 0 .x/ D 2x C b D 0 yields the critical point c D 2.
 
 For x < b2 , we have f 0 .x/ < 0, so f is decreasing on 1; b2 .
 
 For x > b2 , we have f 0 .x/ > 0, so f is increasing on b
2; 1 .

55. Show that f .x/ D x 3 2x 2 C 2x is an increasing function. Hint: Find the minimum value of f 0 .x/.
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x3 2x 2 C 2x. For all x, we have
 2
2 2 2
f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 4x C 2 D 3 x C  > 0:
3 3 3

Since f 0 .x/ > 0 for all x, the function f is everywhere increasing.

56. Find conditions on a and b that ensure that f .x/ D x 3 C ax C b is increasing on . 1; 1/.
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 3 C ax C b.
 If a > 0, then f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 C a > 0 and f is increasing for all x.
 If a D 0, then

f .x2 / f .x1 / D .3x23 C b/ .3x13 C b/ D 3.x2 x1 /.x22 C x2 x1 C x12 / > 0

whenever x2 > x1 . Thus, f is increasing for all x.

q
a
 If a < 0, then f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 C a < 0 and f is decreasing for jxj < 3.

In summary, f .x/ D x 3 C ax C b is increasing on . 1; 1/ whenever a  0.

x.x 2 1/
57. Let h.x/ D and suppose that f 0 .x/ D h.x/. Plot h.x/ and use the plot to describe the local extrema and
x2 C 1
the increasing/decreasing behavior of f .x/. Sketch a plausible graph for f .x/ itself.
SOLUTION The graph of h.x/ is shown below at the left. Because h.x/ is negative for x < 1 and for 0 < x < 1, it follows that
f .x/ is decreasing for x < 1 and for 0 < x < 1. Similarly, f .x/ is increasing for 1 < x < 0 and for x > 1 because h.x/ is
positive on these intervals. Moreover, f .x/ has local minima at x D 1 and x D 1 and a local maximum at x D 0. A plausible
graph for f .x/ is shown below at the right.
h(x) f(x)

1 0.3
0.2
0.5
0.1
x x
−2 −1 1 2 −2 −1 1 2
−0.5
−0.2
−1

58. Sam made two statements that Deborah found dubious.

(a) “The average velocity for my trip was 70 mph; at no point in time did my speedometer read 70 mph.”
(b) “A policeman clocked me going 70 mph, but my speedometer never read 65 mph.”
In each case, which theorem did Deborah apply to prove Sam’s statement false: the Intermediate Value Theorem or the Mean Value
Theorem? Explain.
 S E C T I O N 4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity 399

SOLUTION
(a) Deborah is applying the Mean Value Theorem here. Let s.t/ be Sam’s distance, in miles, from his starting point, let a be the
start time for Sam’s trip, and let b be the end time of the same trip. Sam is claiming that at no point was
s.b/ s.a/
s 0 .t/ D :
b a
This violates the MVT.
(b) Deborah is applying the Intermediate Value Theorem here. Let v.t/ be Sam’s velocity in miles per hour. Sam started out at rest,
and reached a velocity of 70 mph. By the IVT, he should have reached a velocity of 65 mph at some point.
59. Determine where f .x/ D .1000 x/2 C x 2 is decreasing. Use this to decide which is larger: 8002 C 2002 or 6002 C 4002 .
SOLUTION If f .x/ D .1000 x/2 C x 2 , then f 0 .x/ D 2.1000 x/ C 2x D 4x 2000. f 0 .x/ < 0 as long as x < 500.
Therefore, 8002 C 2002 D f .200/ > f .400/ D 6002 C 4002 .
60. Show that f .x/ D 1 jxj satis es the conclusion of the MVT on Œa; b if both a and b are positive or negative, but not if a < 0
and b > 0.
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D 1 jxj.
 If a and b (where a < b) are both positive (or both negative), then f is continuous on Œa; b and differentiable on .a; b/.
Accordingly, the hypotheses of the MVT are met and the theorem does apply. Indeed, in these cases, any point c 2 .a; b/
satis es the conclusion of the MVT (since f 0 is constant on Œa; b in these instances).
f .b/ f .a/ 0 . 1/ 1
 For a D 2 and b D 1, we have D D . Yet there is no point c 2 . 2; 1/ such that f 0 .c/ D 13 .
b a 1 . 2/ 3
Indeed, f 0 .x/ D 1 for x < 0, f 0 .x/ D 1 for x > 0, and f 0 .0/ is unde ned. The MVT does not apply in this case, since f
is not differentiable on the open interval . 2; 1/.
61. Which values of c satisfy the conclusion of the MVT on the interval Œa; b if f .x/ is a linear function?
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D px C q, where p and q are constants. Then the slope of every secant line and tangent line of f is
f .b/ f .a/
p. Accordingly, considering the interval Œa; b, every point c 2 .a; b/ satis es f 0 .c/ D p D , the conclusion of the
b a
MVT.
aCb
62. Show that if f .x/ is any quadratic polynomial, then the midpoint c D satis es the conclusion of the MVT on Œa; b for
2
any a and b.
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D px 2 C qx C r with p ¤ 0 and consider the interval Œa; b. Then f 0 .x/ D 2px C q, and by the MVT
we have
pb 2 C qb C r pa2 C qa C r



f .b/ f .a/
2pc C q D f 0 .c/ D D
b a b a
.b a/ .p .b C a/ C q/
D D p .b C a/ C q
b a
aCb
Thus 2pc C q D p.a C b/ C q, and c D .
2
63. Suppose that f .0/ D 2 and f 0 .x/  3 for x > 0. Apply the MVT to the interval Œ0; 4 to prove that f .4/  14. Prove more
generally that f .x/  2 C 3x for all x > 0.
SOLUTION The MVT, applied to the interval Œ0; 4, guarantees that there exists a c 2 .0; 4/ such that

f .4/ f .0/
f 0 .c/ D or f .4/ f .0/ D 4f 0 .c/:
4 0
Because c > 0, f 0 .c/  3, so f .4/ f .0/  12. Finally, f .4/  f .0/ C 12 D 14.
More generally, let x > 0. The MVT, applied to the interval Œ0; x, guarantees there exists a c 2 .0; x/ such that
f .x/ f .0/
f 0 .c/ D or f .x/ f .0/ D f 0 .c/x:
x 0
Because c > 0, f 0 .c/  3, so f .x/ f .0/  3x. Finally, f .x/  f .0/ C 3x D 3x C 2.
64. Show that if f .2/ D 2 and f 0 .x/  5 for x > 2, then f .4/  8.
SOLUTION The MVT, applied to the interval Œ2; 4, guarantees there exists a c 2 .2; 4/ such that

f .4/ f .2/
f 0 .c/ D or f .4/ f .2/ D 2f 0 .c/:
4 2
Because f 0 .x/  5, it follows that f .4/ f .2/  10, or f .4/  f .2/ C 10 D 8.
400 CHAPTER 4 APPLICATIONS OF THE DERIVATIVE

65. Show that if f .2/ D 5 and f 0 .x/  10 for x > 2, then f .x/  10x 15 for all x > 2.
SOLUTION Let x > 2. The MVT, applied to the interval Œ2; x, guarantees there exists a c 2 .2; x/ such that

f .x/ f .2/
f 0 .c/ D or f .x/ f .2/ D .x 2/f 0 .c/:
x 2
Because f 0 .x/  10, it follows that f .x/ f .2/  10.x 2/, or f .x/  f .2/ C 10.x 2/ D 10x 15.

Further Insights and Challenges

66. Show that a cubic function f .x/ D x 3 C ax 2 C bx C c is increasing on . 1; 1/ if b > a2 =3.
a 2 a2
SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x 3 C ax 2 C bx C c. Then f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 C 2ax C b D 3 x C 3


3 C b > 0 for all x if
a2
b 3 > 0. Therefore, if b > a2 =3, then f .x/ is increasing on . 1; 1/.
67. Prove that if f .0/ D g.0/ and f 0 .x/  g 0 .x/ for x  0, then f .x/  g.x/ for all x  0. Hint: Show that f .x/ g.x/ is
nonincreasing.
SOLUTION Let h.x/ D f .x/ g.x/. By the sum rule, h0 .x/ D f 0 .x/ g 0 .x/. Since f 0 .x/  g 0 .x/ for all x  0, h0 .x/  0
for all x  0. This implies that h is nonincreasing. Since h.0/ D f .0/ g.0/ D 0, h.x/  0 for all x  0 (as h is nonincreasing,
it cannot climb above zero). Hence f .x/ g.x/  0 for all x  0, and so f .x/  g.x/ for x  0.

68. Use Exercise 67 to prove that x  tan x for 0  x < 2.

SOLUTION Let f .x/ D x and g.x/ D tan x. Then f .0/ D g.0/ D 0 and f 0 .x/ D 1  sec2 x D g 0 .x/ for 0  x < 2. Apply
the result of Exercise 67 to conclude that x  tan x for 0  x < 2 .
69. Use Exercise 67 and the inequality sin x  x for x  0 (established in Theorem 3 of Section 2.6) to prove the following
assertions for all x  0 (each assertion follows from the previous one).
(a) cos x  1 21 x 2
1 3
(b) sin x  x 6x
1 2 1 4
(c) cos x  1 2x
C 24 x
(d) Can you guess the next inequality in the series?

SOLUTION

(a) We prove this using Exercise 67: Let g.x/ D cos x and f .x/ D 1 21 x 2 . Then f .0/ D g.0/ D 1 and g 0 .x/ D sin x 
x D f 0 .x/ for x  0 by Exercise 68. Now apply Exercise 67 to conclude that cos x  1 21 x 2 for x  0.
(b) Let g.x/ D sin x and f .x/ D x 16 x 3 . Then f .0/ D g.0/ D 0 and g 0 .x/ D cos x  1 1 2
2x D f 0 .x/ for x  0 by part
(a). Now apply Exercise 67 to conclude that sin x  x 16 x 3 for x  0.
(c) Let g.x/ D 1 12 x 2 C 24 1 4
x and f .x/ D cos x. Then f .0/ D g.0/ D 1 and g 0 .x/ D x C 61 x 3  sin x D f 0 .x/ for
x  0 by part (b). Now apply Exercise 67 to conclude that cos x  1 12 x 2 C 24
1 4
x for x  0.
1 3 1 5
(d) The next inequality in the series is sin x  x 6 x C 120 x , valid for x  0. To construct (d) from (c), we note that
the derivative of sin x is cos x, and look for a polynomial (which we currently must do by educated guess) whose derivative is
1 21 x 2 C 24 1 4
x . We know the derivative of x is 1, and that a term whose derivative is 12 x 2 should be of the form C x 3 .
d
dx
C x D 3C x 2 D 12 x 2 , so C D 61 . A term whose derivative is 24
3 1 4 d
x should be of the form Dx 5 . From this, dx Dx 5 D
4 1 4 1 1
5Dx D 24 x , so that 5D D 24 , or D D 120 .
70. Let f .x/ D e x . Use the method of Exercise 69 to prove the following inequalities for x  0.
(a) e x  1 x
(b) e x  1 x C 12 x 2
(c) e x  1 x C 21 x 2 16 x 3
Can you guess the next inequality in the series?
SOLUTION
(a) Let f .x/ D 1 x and g.x/ D e x. Then f .0/ D g.0/ D 1 and, for x  0,

f 0 .x/ D 1  e x
D g 0 .x/:

Thus, by Exercise 67 we conclude that e x  1 x for x  0.

(b) Let f .x/ D e x and g.x/ D 1 x C 12 x 2 . Then f .0/ D g.0/ D 1 and, for x  0,

f 0 .x/ D e x
x 1 D g 0 .x/

x 1
by the result from part (a). Thus, by Exercise 67 we conclude that e 1 x C x 2 for x  0.
2
 S E C T I O N 4.3 The Mean Value Theorem and Monotonicity 401

(c) Let f .x/ D 1 x C 12 x 2 1 3

6x and g.x/ D e x. Then f .0/ D g.0/ D 1 and, for x  0,
1 2
f 0 .x/ D 1 C x x  e x
D g 0 .x/
2
x 1 1 3
by the result from part (b). Thus, by Exercise 67 we conclude that e 1 x C x2 x for x  0.
2 6
x 1 1 3 1
The next inequality in the series is e 1 x C x2 x C x 4 for x  0
2 6 24
71. Assume that f 00 exists and f 00 .x/ D 0 for all x. Prove that f .x/ D mx C b, where m D f 0 .0/ and b D f .0/.
SOLUTION

 Let f 00 .x/ D 0 for all x. Then f 0 .x/ D constant for all x. Since f 0 .0/ D m, we conclude that f 0 .x/ D m for all x.
 Let g.x/ D f .x/ mx. Then g 0 .x/ D f 0 .x/ m D m m D 0 which implies that g.x/ D constant for all x and
consequently f .x/ mx D constant for all x. Rearranging the statement, f .x/ D mx C constant. Since f .0/ D b, we
conclude that f .x/ D mx C b for all x.
De ne f .x/ D x 3 sin x1 for x ¤ 0 and f .0/ D 0.


72.
(a) Show that f 0 .x/ is continuous at x D 0 and that x D 0 is a critical point of f .
(b) Examine the graphs of f .x/ and f 0 .x/. Can the First Derivative Test be applied?
(c) Show that f .0/ is neither a local min nor a local max.
SOLUTION
(a) Let f .x/ D x 3 sin. x1 /. Then
        
1 1 1 1
f 0 .x/ D 3x 2 sin C x 3 cos . x 2
/ D x 3x sin cos :
x x x x
This formula is not de ned at x D 0, but its limit is. Since 1  sin x  1 and 1  cos x  1 for all x,
ˇ    ˇ ˇ  ˇ ˇ  ˇ
0
ˇ 1 1 ˇˇ ˇ 1 ˇˇ ˇˇ 1 ˇˇ
jf .x/j D jxj ˇ3x sin
ˇ cos  jxj ˇ3x sin
ˇ C cos  jxj.3jxj C 1/
x x ˇ x ˇ ˇ x ˇ
so, by the Squeeze Theorem, lim jf 0 .x/j D 0. But does f 0 .0/ D 0? We check using the limit de nition of the derivative:
x!0
 
f .x/ f .0/ 1
f 0 .0/ D lim D lim x 2 sin D 0:
x!0 x 0 x!0 x
Thus f 0 .x/ is continuous at x D 0, and x D 0 is a critical point of f .
(b) The gure below at the left shows f .x/, and the gure below at the right shows f 0 .x/. Note how the two functions oscillate
near x D 0, which implies that the First Derivative Test cannot be applied.
y y

x x
−0.2 0.2 −0.2 0.2

(c) As x approaches 0 from either direction, f .x/ alternates between positive and negative arbitrarily close to x D 0. This means
that f .0/ cannot be a local minimum (since f .x/ gets lower than f .0/ arbitrarily close to 0), nor can f .0/ be a local maximum
(since f .x/ takes values higher than f .0/ arbitrarily close to x D 0). Therefore f .0/ is neither a local minimum nor a local
maximum of f .
73. Suppose that f .x/ satis es the following equation (an example of a differential equation):

f 00 .x/ D f .x/ 1

(a) Show that f .x/2 Cf 0 .x/2

D f .0/2
Cf 0 .0/2
for all x. Hint: Show that the function on the left has zero derivative.
(b) Verify that sin x and cos x satisfy Eq. (1), and deduce that sin2 x C cos2 x D 1.
SOLUTION
(a) Let g.x/ D f .x/2 C f 0 .x/2 . Then

g 0 .x/ D 2f .x/f 0 .x/ C 2f 0 .x/f 00 .x/ D 2f .x/f 0 .x/ C 2f 0 .x/. f .x// D 0;

where we have used the fact that f 00 .x/ D f .x/. Because g 0 .0/ D 0 for all x, g.x/ D f .x/2 C f 0 .x/2 must be a constant
function. In other words, f .x/2 C f 0 .x/2 D C for some constant C . To determine the value of C , we can substitute any number
for x. In particular, for this problem, we want to substitute x D 0 and nd C D f .0/2 C f 0 .0/2 . Hence,

f .x/2 C f 0 .x/2 D f .0/2 C f 0 .0/2 :