5.2 Applications of Differentiation
5.2 Applications of Differentiation
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For the curve y = f(x), you can find the equation of the tangent at the point (a, f(a)) using
y − f ( a ) = f ' ( a ) (x − a )
Using the derivative to find a normal
At any point on a curve, the normal is the line that goes through the point and is perpendicular to the
tangent at that point
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For the curve y = f(x), you can find the equation of the normal at the point (a, f(a)) using
1
y − f (a) = − (x − a ) Your notes
f '(a)
Examiner Tip
The formulae above are not in the exam formulae booklet, but if you understand what tangents
and normals are, then the formulae follow from the equation of a straight line combined with
parallel and perpendicular gradients (see Worked Example below).
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Worked example
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To identify the intervals on which a function is increasing or decreasing you need to:
1. Find the derivative f'(x)
2. Solve the inequalities f'(x) ≥ 0 (for increasing intervals) and/or f'(x) ≤ 0 (for decreasing intervals)
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On an exam, if you need to show a function is increasing or decreasing you can use either strict (<,
>) or non-strict (≤, ≥) inequalities
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Worked example
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''
d 2y
f (x ) or 2
dx
Note the positions of the power of 2's in the second version
The second order derivative can also be referred to simply as the second derivative
Similarly, the 'regular' derivative can also be referred to as either the first order derivative or the
first derivative
The second order derivative gives the rate of change of the gradient function (ie of the first derivative) –
this will be important for identifying the nature of stationary points
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When finding second derivatives be especially careful with functions that have negative or
fractional powers of x (see Worked Example below).
Mistakes made with fractions or negative signs can build up as you calculate the derivative more
than once.
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Worked example
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The graph of a quadratic function (ie a parabola) only has a single stationary point
For an 'up' parabola this is the minimum; for a 'down' parabola it is the maximum (no need to talk about
'local' here) Your notes
The y value of the stationary point is thus the minimum or maximum value of the quadratic function
For quadratics especially minimum and maximum points are often referred to as turning points
How do I determine the nature of stationary points on other curves?
For a function f(x) there are two ways to determine the nature of its stationary points
Method A: Compare the signs of the first derivative (positive or negative) a little bit to either side of
the stationary point
(After completing Steps 1 - 3 above to find the stationary points)
Step 4: For each stationary point find the values of the first derivative a little bit 'to the left' (ie slightly
smaller x value) and a little bit 'to the right' (slightly larger x value) of the stationary point
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Step 5: Compare the signs (positive or negative) of the derivatives on the left and right of the
stationary point
If the derivatives are negative on the left and positive on the right, the point is a local minimum
If the derivatives are positive on the left and negative on the right, the point is a local maximum
If the signs of the derivatives are the same on both sides (both positive or both negative) then the
point is a point of inflection
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Method B: Look at the sign of the second derivative (positive or negative) at the stationary point
(After completing Steps 1 - 3 above to find the stationary points)
Step 4: Find the second derivative f''(x)
Step 5: For each stationary point find the value of f''(x) at the stationary point (ie substitute the x-
coordinate of the stationary point into f''(x) )
If f''(x) is positive then the point is a local minimum
If f''(x) is negative then the point is a local maximum
If f''(x) is zero then the point could be a local minimum, a local maximum OR a point of inflection
(use Method A to determine which)
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Examiner Tip
Usually using the second derivative (Method B above) is a much quicker way of determining the
nature of a stationary point.
However, if the second derivative is zero it tells you nothing about the point.
In that case you will have to use Method A (which always works – see the Worked Example).
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Worked example
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Examiner Tip
If f(x) is a smooth curve then f'(x) will also be a smooth curve.
Take what you know about f'(x) (based on the table above) and then 'fill in the blanks' in between.
If all you have is the graph of f(x) you will not be able to specify the coordinates of the y-intercept
or any stationary points of f'(x).
Be careful – points where f(x) cuts the x-axis don't tell you anything about the graph of f'(x)!
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Differentiation can be used to find maximum and minimum points of a function (see Stationary Points)
Therefore it can be used to solve maximisation and minimisation problems in modelling questions
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Examiner Tip
Exam questions on this topic will often be divided into two parts:
First a 'Show that...' part where you derive a given formula from the information in the question
And then a 'Find...' part where you use differentiation to answer a question about the formula
Even if you can't answer the first part you can still use the formula to answer the second part.
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Worked example
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Examiner Tip
These problems can involve a lot of letters – be sure to keep track of what they all refer to.
Be especially sure that you are clear about which letters are variables and which are constants –
these behave very differently when differentiation is involved!
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Worked example
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