Calculus/Differentiation/Applications of Derivatives/Solutions

Relative Extrema edit

Find the relative maximum(s) and minimum(s), if any, of the following functions.

1.  
 
There are no roots of the derivative. The derivative fails to exist when x=-1 , but the function also fails to exists at that point, so it is not an extremum. Thus, the function has no relative extrema.
 
There are no roots of the derivative. The derivative fails to exist when x=-1 , but the function also fails to exists at that point, so it is not an extremum. Thus, the function has no relative extrema.
2.  
 
There are no roots of the derivative. The derivative fails to exist at   .  . The point   is a minimum since   is nonnegative because of the even numerator in the exponent. The function has no relative maximum.
 
There are no roots of the derivative. The derivative fails to exist at   .  . The point   is a minimum since   is nonnegative because of the even numerator in the exponent. The function has no relative maximum.
3.  
 

 
 
 
Since the second derivative is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum.

The derivative fails to exist when   , but so does the function. There is no relative maximum.
 

 
 
 
Since the second derivative is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum.

The derivative fails to exist when   , but so does the function. There is no relative maximum.
4.  
 

 
 
 
Since the second derivative of   at   is positive,   corresponds to a relative mimimum.
 

Since the second derivative of   at   is negative,   corresponds to a relative maximum.
 

 
 
 
Since the second derivative of   at   is positive,   corresponds to a relative mimimum.
 

Since the second derivative of   at   is negative,   corresponds to a relative maximum.
5.  
 

 
 

Since the second derivative is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum. There is no relative maximum.
 

 
 

Since the second derivative is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum. There is no relative maximum.
6.  
 

 
 
 
Since   is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum.
 

Since   is negative,   corresponds to a relative maximum.
 

 
 
 
Since   is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum.
 

Since   is negative,   corresponds to a relative maximum.

Range of Function edit

7. Show that the expression   cannot take on any value strictly between 2 and -2.
 

 
 
 
 
Since   is negative,   corresponds to a relative maximum.
 
 
For  ,   is positive, which means that the function is increasing. Coming from very negative  -values,   increases from a very negative value to reach a relative maximum of   at  .
For  ,   is negative, which means that the function is decreasing.
 
 
 
Since   is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum.
 
Between   the function decreases from   to  , then jumps to   and decreases until it reaches a relative minimum of   at  .
For  ,   is positive, so the function increases from a minimum of  .

The above analysis shows that there is a gap in the function's range between   and  .
 

 
 
 
 
Since   is negative,   corresponds to a relative maximum.
 
 
For  ,   is positive, which means that the function is increasing. Coming from very negative  -values,   increases from a very negative value to reach a relative maximum of   at  .
For  ,   is negative, which means that the function is decreasing.
 
 
 
Since   is positive,   corresponds to a relative minimum.
 
Between   the function decreases from   to  , then jumps to   and decreases until it reaches a relative minimum of   at  .
For  ,   is positive, so the function increases from a minimum of  .

The above analysis shows that there is a gap in the function's range between   and  .

Absolute Extrema edit

Determine the absolute maximum and minimum of the following functions on the given domain

8.   on  
  is differentiable on  , so the extreme value theorem guarantees the existence of an absolute maximum and minimum on   . Find and check the critical points:

 
 
 
 
Check the endpoint:
 

Maximum at  ; minimum at  
  is differentiable on  , so the extreme value theorem guarantees the existence of an absolute maximum and minimum on   . Find and check the critical points:

 
 
 
 
Check the endpoint:
 

Maximum at  ; minimum at  
9.   on  
 

 
 
 
 

Maximum at  ; minimum at  
 

 
 
 
 

Maximum at  ; minimum at  

Determine Intervals of Change edit

Find the intervals where the following functions are increasing or decreasing

10.  
 

 
  is the equation of a line with negative slope, so   is positive for   and negative for  .

This means that the function is increasing on   and decreasing on  .
 

 
  is the equation of a line with negative slope, so   is positive for   and negative for  .

This means that the function is increasing on   and decreasing on  .
11.  
 

 
  is the equation of a bowl-shaped parabola that crosses the  -axis at   and  , so   is negative for   and positive elsewhere.

This means that the function is decreasing on   and increasing elsewhere.
 

 
  is the equation of a bowl-shaped parabola that crosses the  -axis at   and  , so   is negative for   and positive elsewhere.

This means that the function is decreasing on   and increasing elsewhere.
12.  
 

 
  is the equation of a hill-shaped parabola that crosses the  -axis at   and  , so   is positive for   and negative elsewhere.

This means that the function is increasing on   and decreasing elsewhere.
 

 
  is the equation of a hill-shaped parabola that crosses the  -axis at   and  , so   is positive for   and negative elsewhere.

This means that the function is increasing on   and decreasing elsewhere.
13.  
If you did the previous exercise then no calculation is required since this function has the same derivative as that function and thus is increasing and decreasing on the same intervals; i.e., the function is increasing on   and decreasing elsewhere.
If you did the previous exercise then no calculation is required since this function has the same derivative as that function and thus is increasing and decreasing on the same intervals; i.e., the function is increasing on   and decreasing elsewhere.
14.  
 

 
  is negative on   and positive elsewhere.

So   is decreasing on   and increasing elsewhere.
 

 
  is negative on   and positive elsewhere.

So   is decreasing on   and increasing elsewhere.
15.  
 

 

  is decreasing on   and increasing elsewhere.
 

 

  is decreasing on   and increasing elsewhere.

Determine Intervals of Concavity edit

Find the intervals where the following functions are concave up or concave down

16.  
 

 

The function is concave down everywhere.
 

 

The function is concave down everywhere.
17.  
 

 
 
When  ,   is negative, and when  ,   is positive.

This means that the function is concave down on   and concave up on  .
 

 
 
When  ,   is negative, and when  ,   is positive.

This means that the function is concave down on   and concave up on  .
18.  
 

 
 
  is positive when   and negative when  .

This means that the function is concave up on   and concave down on  .
 

 
 
  is positive when   and negative when  .

This means that the function is concave up on   and concave down on  .
19.  
If you did the previous exercise then no calculation is required since this function has the same second derivative as that function and thus is concave up and concave down on the same intervals; i.e., the function is concave up on   and concave down on  .
If you did the previous exercise then no calculation is required since this function has the same second derivative as that function and thus is concave up and concave down on the same intervals; i.e., the function is concave up on   and concave down on  .
20.  
 

 
 
  is positive when   and negative when  .

This means that the function is concave down on   and concave up on  .
 

 
 
  is positive when   and negative when  .

This means that the function is concave down on   and concave up on  .
21.  
 

 
 
  is positive when   and negative when  .

This means that the function is concave down on   and concave up on  .
 

 
 
  is positive when   and negative when  .

This means that the function is concave down on   and concave up on  .

Word Problems edit

22. You peer around a corner. A velociraptor 64 meters away spots you. You run away at a speed of 6 meters per second. The raptor chases, running towards the corner you just left at a speed of   meters per second (time   measured in seconds after spotting). After you have run 4 seconds the raptor is 32 meters from the corner. At this time, how fast is death approaching your soon to be mangled flesh? That is, what is the rate of change in the distance between you and the raptor?
Velocity is the rate in change of position with respect to time. The raptor's velocity relative to you is given by

 
After 4 seconds, the rate of change in position with respect to time is

 
Velocity is the rate in change of position with respect to time. The raptor's velocity relative to you is given by

 
After 4 seconds, the rate of change in position with respect to time is

 
23. Two bicycles leave an intersection at the same time. One heads north going 12 mph and the other heads east going 5 mph. How fast are the bikes getting away from each other after one hour?
Set up a coordinate system with the origin at the intersection and the  -axis pointing north. We assume that the position of the bike heading north is a function of the position of the bike heading east.

 
The distance between the bikes is given by
 
Let   represent the elapsed time in hours. We want   when  . Apply the chain rule to  :
 

Thus, the bikes are moving away from one another at 13 mph.
Set up a coordinate system with the origin at the intersection and the  -axis pointing north. We assume that the position of the bike heading north is a function of the position of the bike heading east.

 
The distance between the bikes is given by
 
Let   represent the elapsed time in hours. We want   when  . Apply the chain rule to  :
 

Thus, the bikes are moving away from one another at 13 mph.
24. You're making a can of volume 200 m  with a gold side and silver top/bottom. Say gold costs 10 dollars per m  and silver costs 1 dollar per m . What's the minimum cost of such a can?
The volume of the can as a function of the radius,  , and the height,  , is

 
We are constricted to have a can with a volume of  , so we use this fact to relate the radius and the height:
 
The surface area of the side is
 
and the cost of the side is
 
The surface area of the top and bottom (which is also the cost) is
 
The total cost is given by
 
We want to minimize  , so take the derivative:
 
Find the critical points:
 
Check the second derivative to see if this point corresponds to a maximum or minimum:
 
 
Since the second derivative is positive, the critical point corresponds to a minimum. Thus, the minimum cost is

 
The volume of the can as a function of the radius,  , and the height,  , is

 
We are constricted to have a can with a volume of  , so we use this fact to relate the radius and the height:
 
The surface area of the side is
 
and the cost of the side is
 
The surface area of the top and bottom (which is also the cost) is
 
The total cost is given by
 
We want to minimize  , so take the derivative:
 
Find the critical points:
 
Check the second derivative to see if this point corresponds to a maximum or minimum:
 
 
Since the second derivative is positive, the critical point corresponds to a minimum. Thus, the minimum cost is

 
25. A farmer is investing in   of fencing so that he can create an outdoor pen to display three different animals to sell. To make it cost effective, he used one of the walls of the outdoor barn as one of the sides of the fenced in area, which is able to enclose the entire area. He wants the internal areas for the animals to roam in to be congruent (i.e. he wants to segment the total area into three equal areas). What is the maximum internal area that the animals can roam in, given these conditions?
One important factor to consider when maximizing the area given the length of material given is that one of the sides is not made of the same material, but one that already exists (i.e. the barn wall is used in place of the fencing). Additionally, the roaming areas are congruent, so   for some length and width, and the perimeter is therefore  . Try to draw the situation as presented and the area and perimeter arguments may make more sense.

Notice that  , so  . Therefore, to maximize the total area (which will also maximize the internal roaming areas for the animal since each area is congruent), we take the derivative of the area function with respect to length.

 
 

Notice that since   for all  , it implies that   is a local maximum.

 
Therefore, the maximum internal roaming area for one of the animals is  .
One important factor to consider when maximizing the area given the length of material given is that one of the sides is not made of the same material, but one that already exists (i.e. the barn wall is used in place of the fencing). Additionally, the roaming areas are congruent, so   for some length and width, and the perimeter is therefore  . Try to draw the situation as presented and the area and perimeter arguments may make more sense.

Notice that  , so  . Therefore, to maximize the total area (which will also maximize the internal roaming areas for the animal since each area is congruent), we take the derivative of the area function with respect to length.

 
 

Notice that since   for all  , it implies that   is a local maximum.

 
Therefore, the maximum internal roaming area for one of the animals is  .
 
Question 27 figure: A sphere with radius   and center  . The corners of the sphere are labeled and fitted perfectly inside the sphere.
26. What is the maximum area of a rectangle inscribed (fitted so that the corners of the rectangle are on the circumference) inside a circle of radius  ?
A rectangle's diagonals meet at the same point. Since it is inscribed inside a circle, the midpoint of the circle is the same as the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle. Therefore, the radius and a point   on the circle and rectangle are related by the relation  .

Since it must be the case that  , it also means that the set of points   also satisfy the relation. The distance between two horizontally or vertically related points is thus   and   respectively, so the area of the rectangle is given by  .

Therefore, in terms of  , the area of the rectangle is   where  . Taking the derivative to find the maximum,

 

Notice that there exists a critical point on   (since the derivative does not exist on those points). We only worry about   since   is outside of the points of interest.

Set the derivative to zero to find the other critical points.

 

Since   falls outside our points of interest, the only critical points we care about is at  . Therefore, we test the three critical points:

 
The largest area from the critical points tested is  .
A rectangle's diagonals meet at the same point. Since it is inscribed inside a circle, the midpoint of the circle is the same as the intersection of the diagonals of the rectangle. Therefore, the radius and a point   on the circle and rectangle are related by the relation  .

Since it must be the case that  , it also means that the set of points   also satisfy the relation. The distance between two horizontally or vertically related points is thus   and   respectively, so the area of the rectangle is given by  .

Therefore, in terms of  , the area of the rectangle is   where  . Taking the derivative to find the maximum,

 

Notice that there exists a critical point on   (since the derivative does not exist on those points). We only worry about   since   is outside of the points of interest.

Set the derivative to zero to find the other critical points.

 

Since   falls outside our points of interest, the only critical points we care about is at  . Therefore, we test the three critical points:

 
The largest area from the critical points tested is  .
27. A cylinder is to be fitted inside a glass spherical display case with a radius of  . (The sphere will form around the cylinder.) What is the largest volume that a cylinder will have inside such a display case?
Notice in the figure that the corners of the cylinder can connect to the center of the sphere  . Additionally, the center of the sphere is also the center of the cylinder, so given a height   and radius  , the relation of the corners of the cylinder to the sphere are thus given by  .

Given the volume of a cylinder is  , and  , the volume of the cylinder with respect to the height is

 
 

Setting the derivative to zero yields the critical points.

 .

Keep in mind that the volume must be positive, so  . As such, we only need to look at the critical point  . Taking the second derivative

 

Since the critical point   is positive, and   is linear,  , and   is trending downward,

 , so by the second derivative test,   is a local maximum.

Recall the radius of the sphere is  , so  .

 
Therefore, the maximum volume of the cylinder inscribed inside a sphere is  .
Notice in the figure that the corners of the cylinder can connect to the center of the sphere  . Additionally, the center of the sphere is also the center of the cylinder, so given a height   and radius  , the relation of the corners of the cylinder to the sphere are thus given by  .

Given the volume of a cylinder is  , and  , the volume of the cylinder with respect to the height is

 
 

Setting the derivative to zero yields the critical points.

 .

Keep in mind that the volume must be positive, so  . As such, we only need to look at the critical point  . Taking the second derivative

 

Since the critical point   is positive, and   is linear,  , and   is trending downward,

 , so by the second derivative test,   is a local maximum.

Recall the radius of the sphere is  , so  .

 
Therefore, the maximum volume of the cylinder inscribed inside a sphere is  .
28. A   tall man is walking away from a light that is  -feet above the ground. The man is walking away from the light at   feet per second. How fast (speed not velocity) is the shadow, cast by the man, changing its length with respect to time?
 

The light and the man are related by a triangle relation as shown. The man,  , is moving away from the light at a rate of   feet per second, so the length of   must be changing. Therefore, set that length to be  . Assuming the length of the shadow and the distance from the post is  , i.e.  , the shadow has  .

Notice the similar triangles involved:   because   (show this yourself!). As such, we may relate lengths as shown:

 
The length of the shadow as a function of the person's distance from the post is  . Therefore, the rate of change of the length of the shadow is  .
 

The light and the man are related by a triangle relation as shown. The man,  , is moving away from the light at a rate of   feet per second, so the length of   must be changing. Therefore, set that length to be  . Assuming the length of the shadow and the distance from the post is  , i.e.  , the shadow has  .

Notice the similar triangles involved:   because   (show this yourself!). As such, we may relate lengths as shown:

 
The length of the shadow as a function of the person's distance from the post is  . Therefore, the rate of change of the length of the shadow is  .

29. A canoe is being pulled toward a dock (normal to the water) using a taut rope. The canoe is normal to the water while it is being pulled. The rope is hauled in at a constant  . The dock is   above the water. Answer items (a) through (b).

(a) How fast is the boat approaching the dock when   of rope are out?
Since the boat is   feet from the dock, of height  , and the two measures are perpendicular, the pythagorean theorem applies. The length of the rope,  , is the hypotenuse between   and  , so
 .

Implicitly taking the derivative of the relation ( ) tells us that   (notice that the height of the dock is constant). Isolating for  :

 
Since the boat is   feet from the dock, of height  , and the two measures are perpendicular, the pythagorean theorem applies. The length of the rope,  , is the hypotenuse between   and  , so
 .

Implicitly taking the derivative of the relation ( ) tells us that   (notice that the height of the dock is constant). Isolating for  :

 
(b) Hence, what is the rate of change of the angle between the rope and the dock?
In this situation, the angle between the dock and the rope is  . Note that with the given quantities,  . Implicitly taking the derivative tells us that
 
One additional note to keep in mind is that the angle is a unit-less quantity quantitatively, but in context, it was useful to define the units.
In this situation, the angle between the dock and the rope is  . Note that with the given quantities,  . Implicitly taking the derivative tells us that
 
One additional note to keep in mind is that the angle is a unit-less quantity quantitatively, but in context, it was useful to define the units.
30. A very enthusiastic parent is video taping a runner in your class during a   race. The parent has the runner center frame and is recording   from the straight-line track. The runner in your class is running at a constant  . What is the rate of change of the shooting angle if the runner passes the parent half a second after the parent's direct shot (after the point in which the runner's motion and the parent's line of sight are perpendicular)?
In this situation, the angle between the runner and the direct line from the track is  . Implicitly taking the derivative tells us that
 

Notice that  . Since   after the direct line shot,  . Therefore, because  ,

 
One additional note to keep in mind is that the angle is a unit-less quantity quantitatively, but in context, it was useful to define the units.
In this situation, the angle between the runner and the direct line from the track is  . Implicitly taking the derivative tells us that
 

Notice that  . Since   after the direct line shot,  . Therefore, because  ,

 
One additional note to keep in mind is that the angle is a unit-less quantity quantitatively, but in context, it was useful to define the units.

Approximation Problems edit

By assumption, for these problems, assume   and   unless stated otherwise. One may use a calculator or design a computer program, but one must indicate the method and reasoning behind every step where necessary.

35. Approximate   using whatever method. If you use Newton's or Euler's method, do it in a maximum of THREE (3) iterations.
This is an example solution and does not mean that other methods do not exist. We will use Euler's method. To use this, express the derivative   in terms of  .
 

We know  . Since  ,

 .

We will use step size   since it will be the easiest to calculate without the use of a calculator. Let  .

 
 
With this,  .
This is an example solution and does not mean that other methods do not exist. We will use Euler's method. To use this, express the derivative   in terms of  .
 

We know  . Since  ,

 .

We will use step size   since it will be the easiest to calculate without the use of a calculator. Let  .

 
 
With this,  .
36. Approximate   using whatever method. If you use Newton's or Euler's method, do it in a maximum of THREE (3) iterations.
This is an example solution and does not mean that other methods do not exist. We will use the Newton-Rhapson method. To use this, we need to find an equation that allows   to be the root of the function. One obvious example is  . From there,  . Let  
 
 
With this,  
This is an example solution and does not mean that other methods do not exist. We will use the Newton-Rhapson method. To use this, we need to find an equation that allows   to be the root of the function. One obvious example is  . From there,  . Let  
 
 
With this,  
37. Approximate   using whatever method. If you use Newton's or Euler's method, do it in a maximum of THREE (3) iterations.
This is an example solution and does not mean that other methods do not exist. We will use the local-point linear approximation. We know  . Let  ;  . The tangent line equation at the point   is  . Because   is a small difference, we may assume that  . Therefore  . With this,   using linearization.
This is an example solution and does not mean that other methods do not exist. We will use the local-point linear approximation. We know  . Let  ;  . The tangent line equation at the point   is  . Because   is a small difference, we may assume that  . Therefore  . With this,   using linearization.

Advanced Understanding edit

45. Consider the differentiable function   for all   and continuous function   below, where   is linear for all   and differentiable for all  , and   and   are continuous for all  .

 
a. Approximate  .
To approximate, choose two nearby points.
 
To approximate, choose two nearby points.
 
b. Using your answer from (a), find  .
 . Additionally,   are differentiable at   since   is differentiable for all   and   is linear for all  . Therefore, L'hôpital's rule applies.
 

Since   is linear for all  ,

 

Using the answer from (a),

 
 . Additionally,   are differentiable at   since   is differentiable for all   and   is linear for all  . Therefore, L'hôpital's rule applies.
 

Since   is linear for all  ,

 

Using the answer from (a),

 
c. Assume  . Find an approximation of the first positive root of   shown on the graph. Use only ONE (1) iteration.
There exists a   that satisfies  . Using only one iteration of the Newton-Rhapson method, choose  .   and   by assumption.
 
  is the first positive root of the function  .
There exists a   that satisfies  . Using only one iteration of the Newton-Rhapson method, choose  .   and   by assumption.
 
  is the first positive root of the function  .
d. A computer program found that there exists only one local maximum and minimum on the function   and found no local maximum or minimum for  . Based on this finding, what flaw exists in the program and how can it be fixed?
The program is taking the derivatives of functions and is considering all inputs where the derivative evaluated at that point is zero, but it failed to consider the case where the derivative does not exist. In cases where the derivative does not exist, the program must still check to see that the sign of the derivative changes before and after the point. Based on the sign changes, it can determine whether there is a local minimum or maximum. Thus, to fix the program, add one more case that considers when the derivative does not exist.
The program is taking the derivatives of functions and is considering all inputs where the derivative evaluated at that point is zero, but it failed to consider the case where the derivative does not exist. In cases where the derivative does not exist, the program must still check to see that the sign of the derivative changes before and after the point. Based on the sign changes, it can determine whether there is a local minimum or maximum. Thus, to fix the program, add one more case that considers when the derivative does not exist.