APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVE

Class-12 APPLICATION OF DERIVATIVE

Practice Question & worksheet for chapter 6

1. The tangents to the curve y2 = 4ax at points where x = a, are

(a) parallel (b) perpendicular
(c) inclined at 60º (d) inclined at 30º
Ans. (b)
The given equation of the curve is y2 = 4ax ....(1)
Differentiating both sides of (1) with respect to x, we get
dy dy 4a 2a
2y = 4a Þ = = ...(2)
dx dx 2y y
If y be the angle which the tangent to the curve at (x, y) makes with the positive
dy 2a
direction of x-axis then tan y = or tan y = ....(3), [using (2)]
dx y

At x = a, then from (1), y2 = 4a.a = 4a2 Þ y=± 2a.

Hence, we get two points (a, 2a) and (a, –2a) on the curve.
At (a, 2a), x = a, y = 2a
2a
tan y = = 1 Þ y = 45º
2a
At (a, –2a), x = a, y = –2a
2a
tan y = = -1 Þ y = 135º
-2a
Hence, the required angle between tangents to (1) at (a, 2a) and (a, –2a) = y 2– y1 =
135°– 45° = 90°.
This shows that the tangent, lie to (1) at (a, 2a) and (a, –2a) are perpendicular to each
other.

æ 2x ö
2. If y = tan -1 ç ÷ , then slope of the y at x = 0 is is :
ç 1 + 22x +1 ÷
è ø
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) log 2 (d) None
Ans. (d)
é 2x (2 - 1) ù é 2x +1 - 2x ù
y = tan -1 ê ú = tan -1 ê ú
x x +1 x x +1
ëê1 + 2 .2 ûú ëê1 + 2 .2 ûú
 dy 2x +1 log 2 2x log 2
= tan -1 (2x +1 ) - tan -1 (2x ) Þ = -
dx 1 + 22(x +1) 1 + 22x
æ dy ö æ2 ö æ 3ö
\ç ÷ = log 2. ç - 1÷ = log 2 ç - ÷
dx
è ø x =0 è 5 ø è 5ø

3. The volume of a cube is increasing at the rate of 9 cm2/sec. The rate of increase of its
surface area when its edge (side) is 6 cm is
(a) 3.6 cm/sec (b) 3.6 (c) 6 cm/sec (d) 6 cm2/sec
Ans. (d)
Let at any instant of time t, edge of the cube be x, surface area S and the volume be V,
then
V = x3 and S = 6x2
dV dx
Þ = 3x 2 ...(i)
dt dt
dS dx
and = 12x ...(ii)
dt dt
dx
Þ From (i), 9 = 3 (6)2
dt
dx 1
Þ = cm / sec
dt 12
dS 1
Then from (ii), = 12 ´ 6cm ´ cm / sec = 6 cm2 / sec.
dt 12

4. On R, the function f(x) = 7x –3 is

(a) strictly decreasing (b) decreasing
(c) increasing (d) strictly increasing
Ans. (d)
Given f(x) = 7x – 3, x Î R Þ f´(x) = 7 > 0, x Î R
\ f is strictly increasing on R.

5. The function f(x) = cos x is

(a) strictly decreasing on (0, p )
(b) strictly decreasing on ( p , 2 p )
(c) strictly decreasing on (0, 2 p )

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 (d) none of these
Ans. (a)
Given f(x) = cos x Þ f '(x) = – sin x < 0 " x Î (0, p)

(! sin x > 0 " x Î (0, p))

Þ f´(x) < 0 for all x Î(0, p )
\ f´ is strictly decreasing on (0, p )

6. Equation of normal to the curve y = sin x at (0, 0) is

(a) x = 0 (b) y = 0
(c) x + y = 0 (d) x – y = 0
Ans. (c)
dy
Given y = sin x Þ = cos x.
dx
-1 -1
\slope of normal at (0, 0) = = = -1
æ dy ö cos 0
ç dx ÷
è ø(0,0)

\ Equation of normal at (0, 0) is y – 0 = –1 (x – 0) or x + y = 0

7. The angle between the curves y2 = x and x2 = y at (1,1) is

(a) tan–1 (4/3) (b) tan–1 (3/4)
(c) 90° (d) 45°
Ans. (b)
Given curves are y2 = x …(1)
x2 = y …(2)
dy dy 1
From (1), 2y =1 Þ =
dx dx 2y

Þ Slope of tangent to (1) at (1,1) = 1 = 1

2 ´1 2
dy
From (2), 2x =
dx
Þ Slope of tangent to (2) at (1, 1) = 2×1=2
It is the acute angle of intersection of (1) and (2) at the point (1,1), then

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 1 3
2-
2 3 æ3ö
tan q = = 2 = Þ q = tan -1 ç ÷
1 2 4 è4ø
1+ 2´
2

8. If x + y = k is normal to the curve y2 = 12x, then k is equal to

(a) 3 (b) 9
(c) –9 (d) –3
Ans. (b)
Slope of given line is –1
dy dy 6
and y2 = 12x Þ 2y = 12 Þ =
dx dx y
Slope of normal to the curve,
1 1 y y
=- = - = - Þ -1 = - Þ y = 6
æ dy ö 6 6 6
ç dx ÷ y
è ø
Therefore, x = 3, y = 6
Hence, k = 3 + 6 = 9

9. The function f(x) = x3 has

(a) a local maximum at 0 (b) a local minimum at 0
(c) a point of inflexion at 0 (d) none of these
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Ans. Given f(x) = x
Þ f´(x) = 3x2, f”(x) = 6x
and f’”(x) = 6
Note that f´´(x) exists at all points of Df = R.
For critical points, let f '(x) = 0 Þ 3x 2 = 0 Þ x = 0
Also f "(0) = 0 and f '"(0) = 6 ¹ 0
\f has neither a maximum nor a minimum at 0.
In fact, f has a point of inflexion at 0.

10. Maximum value of f(x) = sin x cos x is

1 1
(a) - (b) 0 (c) (d) none of these
2 2

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Ans. (c)

Here, f(x) = sin x cosx = 1 (sin 2x) £ 1 (1) = 1 "x Î R

2 2 2
1 p
\Max f(x) = when sin 2x = 1, i.e., when x =
2 4
2x
11. The function f (x) = increases in
log x
(a) (0, 1) (b) (1, e) (c) (e, ¥) (d) (-¥, e)
Ans. (c)
log x.2 - 2
f '(x) =
(log x)2
For, increasing function
f '(x) > 0 Þ 2log x - 2 > 0
Þ log x > 1 Þ x > e1 Þ x > e

1 - sin ax
12. If y = log then slope of y at x = 0 is
1 + sin ax
(a) a (b) – a (c) 1 (d) – 1/a
Ans. (b)
dy d 1
= . [log(1 - sin ax) - log (1 + sin ax)]
dx dx 2
1 é -a cos ax a cos ax ù -a cos ax
= ê - = = - asecax
2 ë 1 - sin ax 1 + sin ax úû cos 2 ax
æ dy ö
Þ ç ÷ = -a
è dx øat x = 0
1- t 2t
13. If x = , y= , then equation of tangent at t = 0,
1+ t 1+ t
(a) x - y = 1 (b) x + y = 1 (c) x + y = 0 (d) none.
Ans. (b)
dy
dy dt (1 + t)2 - 2t(1) 2
= = = = -1
dx dx (1 + t) (-1) - (1 - t) (1) - 2
dt
1- 0 2´0
x= = 1, y = =0
1+ 0 1+ 0
equation of tangent at t = 0
y - 0 = -1( x - 1)
x + y =1

14. Angle between the curves y = sin x, y = cos x in [0, p / 2 ] is

(a) p / 4 (b) tan -1 2 (c) tan -1 2 2 (d) none.

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Ans. (c)
Let slope of the curve, y = sin x
dy é pù
= cos x = cos p / 4, ê0, ú
dx ë 2û
and slope of the curve y = cos x is
dy é pù
= - sin x = - sin p / 4, ê0, ú
dx ë 2û
cos p / 4 - (- sin p / 4) 2/ 2
Therefore, tan q = = =2 2
1 + (cos p / 4) (- sin p / 4) 1/ 2
Þ q = tan -1 2 2

15. The minimum value of the function f (x) = sin 2 x + cos4 x is

1 3 1 5
(a) (b) (c) (d)
3 4 2 4
Ans. (b)
f (x) = sin 2 x + cos 4 x = sin 2 x + cos 2 x(1 - sin 2 x), Df = R
1 1
= sin 2 x + cos2 x - sin 2 x cos2 x = 1 - (4sin 2 x cos2 x) = 1 - (sin 2x)2
4 4
Since 0 £ (sin 2x)2 £ 1, therefore,
1 1 1 1 3
0 ³ - (sin 2x)2 ³ - Þ 0 + 1 ³ 1 - (sin 2x)2 ³ 1 - Þ 1 ³ sin 2 x + cos4 x ³
4 4 4 4 4
p
Thus, min f (x) = æç when x = ö÷ and max f (x) = 1 (whenx = 0)
3
4è 4ø

16. The function f (x) = x 2 + 2x + 3 increases in the interval

(a) (– ¥ ,1) (b) (–1, ¥ ) (c) (– ¥ ,–1) (d)None
Ans. (a)
We have f (x) = x 2 + 2x + 3
Þ f '(x) = 2x + 2
For turning point f ' ( x ) = 0 Þ x = -1
\ f '(x) > 0 if x Î (–1, ¥ )

f (x) increasing in the interval (–1, ¥ )

1 p
17. If the maximum value of y = a cos x - cos 3x occurs when x = , then the value of a is
3 6

6
 2 2
(a) –2 (b) 2 (c) (d) –
3 3
Ans. (b)
1
Given that y = a cos x - cos 3x
3
dy
Þ = - a sin x + sin 3x
dx
dy
for maximum or minimum = 0.
dx
p
Þ -a sin x + sin 3x = 0 Þ therefore, at x = , a = 2.
6

18. If y = sin x + sin x + sin x + ...........¥ then slope of y at (1,0 ) .

(a) 2 (b) –1 (c) 1 (d) none

Ans. (c)

If y = sin x + sin x + sin x + .......¥

Squaring both sides, we get

y2 = sin x + sin x + sin x + sin x + .......to ¥;

\ y2 = sin x + y.
Differentiating both sides with respect to x, we get
dy dy
or 2y = cos x +
dx dx
dy dy cos x
or (2y - 1) = cos x; or = .
dx dx 2y - 1
dy ù cos 0
ú = =1
dx û x =0 2.1 - 1
y =1

19. Approximate value of 0.99

(a) 0.995 (b) 1 (c) 0.3 (d) none of these
Ans. Here, 0.99
Let y = x and x = 1
dy 1
\ =
dx 2 x

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 Suppose Dx = -0.01
Now y + Dy = ( x + Dx ) or 0.99 = x + Dy
As Dy » dy
æ dy ö 1
Dy = ç ÷ Dx = ´ ( -0.01)
è dx ø 2 ´1
\
-1
= = -0.005
200
0.99 = 1 + ( -0.005) = 0.995

d
20. If 2f (sin x) + f (cos x) = x , then f (x) is
dx
(a) sin x + cos x (b) 2
1
(c) (d) none of these
1- x2
Ans. (c)
2f (sin x) + f (cos x) = x …(1)
p
Replace x by -x
2
p
2f (cos x) + f (sin x) = -x …(2)
2

Solving we get, 3f (sin x) = p + 3x

2
p
\ f (x) = + sin -1 x
6
d 1
\ f (x) =
dx 1 - x2

x3
21. Find maximum value of f ( x ) = -x
3
2
(a) (b) 2
3
1
(c) (d) none of these
3
Ans. (c)
f '(x) = x 2 - 1

8
 For maxima/minima f '(x) = x 2 - 1 = 0 Þ x = ±1
f ''(x) = 2x < 0 if x = -1

( -1)
3
2
\ maximum value = f ( -1) = +1 =
3 3

22. The product of the lengths of subtangent and subnormal at any point of the curve is
equal to
(a) square of the abscissa (b) square of the ordinate
(c) constant (d) none.
Ans. (b)
y æ dy ö
Length of subtangent × length of subnormal = ´ y ç ÷ = y2
(dy / dx) è dx ø

23. The function f(x) = 2–3x is

(a) decreasing (b) increasing
(c) strictly decreasing (d) neither increasing nor decreasing
Ans. (c)
Given f(x) = 2–3x, x Î R .
Þ f’(x) = – 3 < 0
Þ f is strictly decreasing on R.
24. 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?
Ans. Let a be the length of a side, V be the volume and S be the surface area of the cube.
Then, V = a3 and S = 6a2 where a is the function of time t.
!"
Now, It is given that = 8cm( /s
!#
Then, by using the chain rule, we get,
!" !,-. / !,-. / !- !-
8 = !#
= = . !# = 3a3 . !#
!# !#
!- 5
⟹ = ………………(1)
!# (-6
!7 !,8-6 / !,8-6 / !- !- 5 (3
= = . = 12a. = 12a. =
!# !# !# !# !# (-6 -
!7 (3 5
So, when a = 12cm, then, = = cm3 /s
!# ;3 (

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 Therefore, if the length of the edge of the cube is 12cm, then the surface area is
𝟖
increasing at the rate of 𝐜𝐦𝟐 /𝐬.
𝟑
25. 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.
Ans. We know that area of a circle (A) is A = πr2
Then, Rate of change of the area with respect to time is given by,
!B !,CD6 / !,CD6 / !D !D
= = . = 2πr.
!# !# !# !# !#
It is given that
!D
= 3cm/s
!#
!B
Then, = 2π(3) = 6πr
!D
Thus, when r = 10cm
!B
Then = 6π(10) = 60π cm3 /s
!D
Therefore, the rate at which the area of the circle is increasing when the radius is 10
cm is 60π cm2/s.
26. 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?
Ans. Let x be the length of a side and V be the volume of the cube, then
V = x3
!" !,K. / !K
= = 3x 3 . …….. by chain rule
!# !# !#
It is given that
!K
!#
= 3cm/s
!"
Then, = 3x 3 (3) = 9x 3
!D
Thus, when x = 10cm
!"
Then = 9(10)3 = 900 cm( /s
!D
Therefore, the volume of the cube increasing when the edge is 10 cm long is 900
cm3/s.
27. 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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Ans. We know that area of a circle (A) is A = πr2
Then, Rate of change of the area with respect to time (t) is given by,
!B !,CD6 / !,CD6 / !D !D
!#
= = . !# = 2πr. !# ……………….. by chain rule
!# !#
It is given that
!D
!#
= 5cm/s
!B
Then, !D
= 2π(5) = 10πr
Thus, when r = 8cm
!B
Then !D
= 10π(8) = 80π cm3 /s
28. The radius of a circle is increasing at the rate of 0.7 cm/s. What is the rate of increase
of its circumference?
Ans. We know that circumference of a circle (C) is C = 2πr
Then, Rate of change of circumference with respect to time (t) is given by,
!O !(3CD) !(3CD) !D !D
= = . = 2π. ……………….. by chain rule
!# !# !# !# !#
It is given that
!D
!#
= 0.7cm/s
!O
Then, = 2π(0.7) = 1.4π cm/s
!D
29. 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.
Ans. (a) It is given that the length (x) is decreasing at the rate of 5 cm/minute and the width
(y) is increasing at the rate of 4 cm/minute, then we have,
!K !V
= −5cm/ min and = 4cm/min
!# !#
The perimeter (P) of a rectangle is given by:
P = 2( x + y )
!X !K !V
∴ = 2Y + [
!# !# !#
= 2(-5 +4) = -2 cm/min
Therefore, the rate of change of the perimeter is -2cm/min.

11
30. 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.
Ans. Let V be the volume of the sphere, then
]
V = πr (
(
Therefore, Rate of change of volume (V) with respect to time (t) is given by,
^
!" !Y CD. [ !D !D
= .
. = 4πr 3 . …….. by chain rule
!# !# !# !#
It is given that
!"
!#
= 900cm( /s
!D
Then, 900 = 4πr 3 . !#
!D _`` 33a
⟹ !#
= ]CD6 = CD6
Thus, when r = 15cm
!" 33a ;
Then, = =
!D C;a6 C
Therefore, the rate at which the radius of the balloon increases when the radius is
𝟏
15 cm is 𝛑 cm/s.
31. 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?
Ans. Let y be the height of the wall at which the ladder touches. Also, let the foot of the
ladder be x m away from wall.
we know that, by Pythagoras theorem,
x2 + y2 = 25
⟹ y = √25 − x 3
Then, the rate of change of height (y) with respect to time (t) is given by:
!V fK !K
= .
!# √3afK6 !#
!K 3gh
Now, it is given that =
!# i
Therefore,
!V f3K
=
!# √3afK6

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 And when x= 4m, then
!V f3×] 5
= =
!# √3af] 6 (
𝟖
Therefore, the height of the ladder on the wall is decreasing at the rate of cm/s.
𝟑

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