Monotonicity

GENERAL INTRODUCTION :
The most useful element taken into
consideration amongst the total postmortem
activities of functions, is their monotonic
behaviour.

(a) Monotonic function :

Functions are said to be monotonic if
they are either increasing or decreasing
in their entire domain e.g. f(x)=ex ; f(x)=lnx
& f(x)=2x + 3 are some of the examples of
functions which are increasing whereas
f(x)=–x3; f(x)=e–x and f(x)=cot–1(x) are some
of the examples of the functions which are
decreasing.

Increasing function
If x1 < x2  f(x1) < f(x2) then function is called
increasing function or strictly increasing
function.
Decreasing function
f(x) = e-x
If x1 < x2
but f(x1 ) > f(x2 ) in entire domain then function
is called decreasing function or strictly
decreasing function.

(b) Non-Monotonic :
Functions which are increasing as well as
decreasing in their domain are said to be non-
monotonic e.g. f(x) = sin x ; f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
  
and f(x) = |x|, however in the interval 0,  ,
 2 
f(x)=sinx will be said to be increasing.







Monotonicity


1.
 Monotonicity of a function at a point :
A function is said to be monotonically
increasing at x = a
if f(x) satisfies
f(a  h)  f(a)
f(a  h)  f(a) for a small
Positive h

A function is said to be monotonically

decreasing at
x = a if f(x) satisfies
f(a  h)  f(a)
f(a  h)  f(a) for a small
Positive h.

Note :
It should be noted that we can talk of
monotonicity of f(x) at x = a only if x = a lies in
the domain of f(x), without any consideration
of continuity or differentiability of f(x) at x = a.

Ex. For each of the following graph, comment whether f(x) is increasing or decreasing
or neither increasing nor decreasing at x = a.
Monotonicity

2.
Sol. (A) Neither monotonically increasing nor decreasing as
f(a–h) < f(a) and f(a + h) < f(a)
(B) Monotonically decreasing as f(a–h) > f(a) > f(a + h)
(C) Monotonically increasing as f(a–h) < f (a) < f(a + h)
(D) Neither monotonically increasing nor decreasing as
f(a–h) < f (a)but f(a + h) =f(a)

MONOTONICITY IN AN INTERVAL :
(a) For an increasing function in some interval,
if Δx > 0  Δy > 0 or Δx < 0  Δy < 0 then f
is said to be monotonic (strictly) increasing in
that interval. In other words if Δy and Δx have
dy
the same sign i.e.  0 for increasing
dx
dy
function. Hence if  0 in some (interval)
dx
then y is said to be increasing function in that
interval and conversely if f(x) is increasing in
dy
some interval then  0 in that Interval.
dx
dy
(b) Similarly, if  0 in some interval then y is
dx
decreasing in that interval and vice-versa.

Note :
Hence to find the intervals of monotonicity
dy
for a function y =f(x) one has to find and
dx
dy dy
solve the inequality, > 0 or < 0 The
dx dx

solution of this inequality gives the interval of

monotonicity.

It should however be noted that

dy
(a) at some point may be equal to zero but
dx
Monotonicity

f(x) may still be increasing at x = a. Consider

f(x) = x3 which is increasing at x = 0 although

3.
 f’(x) = 0. This is because f(0 + h) > f(0) and
dy
f(0 – h) < f(0). At all such points where 0
dx
but y is still increasing or decreasing are

known as point of inflection, which indicate

the change of concavity of the curve.

(b) If f is increasing for x > a and f is also increasing

for x < a then f is also increasing at x = a
provided f(x) is continuous at x = a.

(c) If f(x) is discontinuous at x = a then one can

draw the graph as shown x = a is the point of
maxima

(d) Similarly if f is decreasing for x > a and f is also

decreasing for x < a then f is also decreasing
at x = a provided f(x) is continuous at x = a.

(e) However if f(a) is not defined then monotonicity

will not be indicated at x = a
1
e.g. f(x)  is decreasing for x  (-∞, 1) 
x1
(1, ∞). However if f is increasing and decreasing
as shown then at x = 1 and x = 2, f will have
extremum values, being maximum at x = 1 and
minimum at x = 2.

Increasing and decreasing functions :

(i) A function f(x) is said to be monotonically
increasing for all such interval (a, b) where
f’(x) ≥ 0 and equality may hold only for
discrete values of x, i.e., f’(x) does not
identically become zero for x  (a, b) or any
sub-interval.
(ii) f(x) is said to be monotonically decreasing
for all such interval (a, b) where f’(x) ≤ 0 and
equality may hold only for discrete values of
Monotonicity

x.

4.
Note :
By discrete points, we mean those points
where f’(x) = 0 does not form any interval.

Ex. Prove that f(x) = x3 is an increasing function.

Sol. Clearly f’(x) = 3x2 ≥ 0 in (-∞, ∞) and

equality holds only at x = 0 and not in
any interval, therefore f(x) = x3 is an
increasing function in (-∞, ∞).

Ex. Prove that f(x)=x – sin x is an increasing function.

Sol. f(x) = x – sinx

 f’(x) = 1 – cos x
Now, f’(x) > 0 everywhere except at
x = 0, ± 2π, ±4π etc. but all these
points are discrete and do not form an
interval hence we can conclude that
f(x) is monotonically increasing for xR
In fact, we can also see it graphically.

Non-decreasing function :
f(x) is said to be non-decreasing in domain
if for every x1, x2  D1, x1 > x2  f(x1) ≥ f(x2).
It means that the value of f(x) would never
Monotonicity

decrease with an increase in the value of x

(Figure).

5.
 Non-Increasing function :
f(x) is said to be non-increasing in domain if
for every x 1, x2  D1, x1 > x2 f(x1 )≤ f(x2). It means
that the value of f(x) would never increase
with an increase in the value of x (Figure).
Let us consider another function whose graph
is shown for x(a,b)
Here also f’(x) ≥ 0 for all x  (a, b) but note
that in this case equality of f’(x) = 0 holds for
all x  (c, d) and (e, b). Here f’(x) becomes
identically zero and hence the given function
cannot be assumed to be monotonically
increasing for x  (a, b).

Note :
(i) If a function is monotonic at x = a it can
not have extremum point at x = a and vice
versa i.e. a point on the curve can not
simultaneously be an extremum as well as
monotonic point.
(ii) If f is increasing then nothing definite can
be said about the function f’(x) w.r.t. its
increasing or decreasing behaviour.

x
Find intervals of monotonicity of f(x) =
Ex. lnx
lnx  1
f '(x) 
Sol. (ln x)2

sign of f’(x)

strictly increasing in (e, ∞) and strictly decreasing in (0, 1)  (1, e)

Ex. If the function f(x) = (a + 2) x3–3ax2 + 9ax–1 is always decreasing  x  R, find

‘a’

Sol. f’(x) = 3(a + 2) x2- 6ax + 9a ≤ 0  x  R

 3(a + 2) < 0 & 36a2 – 4  3 (a + 2)  9 a ≤ 0
Monotonicity

 a < –2 & a2 – 3a (a + 2) ≤ 0
 a <– 2 …(1) & a2 + 3a ≥ 0

6.
  a  (–∞, –3]  [0, ∞) …(2)
from (1) and (2)
a ≤ –3 Ans.

Ex. Find intervals of monotonicity of following functions :

2x
(a) f(x) = x4– 8x3 + 22x2 –24x + 7 (b) f(x) =
1  x2
| x 1 |
(c) f(x) = ln (x2– 2x) (d) f(x) =
x2

Sol. (a) We have f(x)=x4-8x3 + 22x2–24x + 7, x  R

and f’(x) = 4x3-24x2 + 44x–24
= 4(x-1)(x-2)(x–3)
From the sign scheme for f’ (x), we can see that f(x)
strictly decreases in (-∞,1)
strictly increases in (1,2)
strictly decreases in (2,3)
strictly increases in (3,∞).
The shape of the curve is drawn alongside.
2x
(b) We have f(x)  ,x R
1  x2


   
1  x2 2  2x(2x) 2 x 2  1  2(x  1)(x  1)
f(x)  

 

1  x  1  x  I  x 
2 2 2
2 2 2

From the sign scheme for f’ (x), we can see that f(x)
strictly decreases in (-∞, –1)
strictly increases in (–1, 1)
strictly decreases in (1, ∞)
The shape of the curve is shown alongside.

(c) We have f(x) = ln(x2–2x), x (–∞,0)  (2,∞)

2x  2 2(x  1)
and f(x)  
x2  2x x(x  2)
From the sign scheme for f’ (x),
we can see that f(x)
strictly decreases in (-∞, 0)
strictly increases in (2, ∞).
Also, we can see that f(0–) = –∞
Monotonicity

and f(2+) = –∞.

7.
 (x  1) x1
(d) we have f(x)   , x  1 and f(x)  ,x  1
2 2
x x
2 1 x2 2x
And f (x) 

  , x  1 and f (x) 

,x  1
3 2 3 3
x x x x
Now, from the sign scheme for f’(x), we have
 f(x) strictly increases in (-∞, 0)
strictly decreases in (0, 1)
strictly increases in (1, 2)
strictly decreases in (2, ∞).

Ex. If (x) = f(x) + f(1 –x) and f”(x) < 0 in (–1, 1), then show that (x) strictly in-
 1
creases in 0, .
 2 

Sol. We have (x) = f(x) + f(1 –x) and (x) = f’(x) –f’(1–x)
1
Which vanishes at points given by x = 1 – x i.e.x =
 1 2
f”(x) < 0 so f’(x) is decreasing for x  0,  i.e. 1 – x > x  f’(1–x) < f’(x)
 
2
  
hence ’(x) > 0  x   0, 1 
 
2
  
Hence,   1
(x) strictly increases in  0, .
 2 


Ǫ1 Find the interval in which f(x) = 2x3 + 3x2 – 12x – 1 is increasing.

Sol. 
f ' x  6x2  6x  12


6 x1  x  2
  
 f ' x  0 x  , 2  1,
  
 f  x  is increasing in  , 2   1,  


Ǫ2 Find the interval in which f(x) = x3 – 3x2 – 9x + 20 is strictly increasing or

strictly decreasing.

Sol. 
f ' x  3x  6x  9
2
Monotonicity


 3 x 2  2x  3 

8.
 
3 x1  x  3
 f ' x  0x  , 1  3, 

 f ' x  0  x  1, 3 .

 f x is strictly increasing in , 1  3, 

 f x is strictly decreasing in 1, 3



Ǫ3 Prove that the following functions are increasing for the given intervals :
(a) f  x   ex  sin x, x R 


 
(b) f  x   sin x  tan x  2x, x   0, 
 2 
 
(c) f  x   sec x  cosec x, x   0, 
 2 

Sol. 
(a) f ' x  ex  cos x  x  R
⏟ ⏟
1 1


 f' x  0  x  R

 f x is increasing

(b) f ' x  cos x  sec2 x  2

   
 f ' x  cos2 x  sec2 x  2 cos x  cos2 x  x  0, 
  
2
   

 f' x  0 
cos2 x  sec2 x  2
 

 f xis increasing for x  0, .
 
2
   

(c) f ' x  sec x tanx  cosec x cot x  0  x  0,
 
2
 
  

 
f x is increasing in  0,  Hence Proved.
 2 

If f  x   xe x 
1x 
Ǫ4 , then f(x) is
 1   1 
(A) increasing on  , 1 (B) decreasing on  , 1 
2  2 
Monotonicity

(C) increasing on R (D) decreasing on R

9.
 Sol. (A)
1x  x·ex1x 1  2x 

f ' x  ex  
 ex 
1x 1  x  2x2

 ex
1x
x  1 2x  1
  1

 f' x  0  x 

,1 

2
 

 f x is increasing on  1 
 ,1 .
  
2
 

Ǫ5 Let f  x    ex x  1  x  2dx , then f(x) decreases in interval.

(A) , 2 (B) (–2,–1) (C) (1, 2) (D) 2, 

Sol. (C)

 
f' x  ex x  1  x  2

 f' x  0 in (1, 2)

 
 f x decreases in (1, 2)

Ǫ6 Separate the intervals of monotonicity of following functions :

(A) f  x   3x 4  8x 3  6x 2  24x  7

 
(B) f  x    sin3 x  3 sin2 x  5, x    , 
 2 2 

 
(C) f  x   2 x  1 2 x  2  2

 
(D) f  x   cos   
x 

Sol. 
(A) f ' x  12x3  24x2  12x  24


 12 x 3  2x 2  x  2 

 12 x  1  x  1 x  2
  , 1  1, 2 .
Monotonicity

 f x is increasing in  1, 1  2,  and decreasing in

10.
 
(B) f ' x  3 sin2 x cos x  6 sinx cos x


 3 sinx cos x sinx  2 
 3 sinx cos x 2  sinx

2  sin x  0  x  R
cos x  0 x   ,  
  
 2 2 
 
sinx  0 x  
 0, 
 2     


 f' x  0  x  0,
 2

and f' x  0  x  , 0 
 2 
     
 
 f x is increasing in  and decreasing in   

0, 
 2  
 2 , 0

          
2
(C) f ' x  2x 𝑙 n 2 2x  2  2x  1 2 2x  2 2x 𝑙n 2

 2x 𝑙 n  2   2x  2 3  2x  4 
 4 

 f ' x  0 at x  1 and log 2  
 3 
 
, log  4    1,  and f(x) is decreasing in
 

 f x is increasing in
 2  
  3 
log  4   
 2   , 1 .
  3  
     

(D) f ' x   sin   2 
 x  x 
     
   sin  
 x 
2
x 


 f' x  0 when

x
 
 2n, 2n  1  , n  I  
 1 1 

f' x  0 when x   ,  ,n  I
 2n  1

2n  1 1 
 
 f x increases for x  
 2n 
,  ,n  I and it decreases else everywhere.
1

 2n

Monotonicity




11.
 Ǫ7 Find the complete set of values of  , for which the function
x 1 ,x  1

f  x     , x  1 is increasing at x = 1.
 x 2  x  3, x  1


Sol. For f(x) to be increasing at x = 1,

  
f 1  h  f 1  f 1  h , h  0   
 2  h    h  h2  3, h  0
23

2 2
ex  ex
Ǫ8 0,   R is the function defined by f  x  
If f :  2 , then check
ex  ex
2

whether f(x) is injective or not.

f' x 
 e x
2
 ex
2

e x
2
2x   ex 2x    ex
2 2
 ex
2

 2x e x
2
 ex
2



Sol.

2
ex  ex
2 2


2x  e x2  e x 2  ex2  e x 2  
2
 
2

  

 
2
ex  ex
2 2


8x
 0  x  0,  
 
2 2 2
ex  ex

 
 f x is increasing in 0,  
 f x is injective.


Ǫ9 Let f(x) and g(x) be two continuous functions defined from RR, such that
f x 1   f x 2  and g x 1   g x 2   x 1  x 2 . Find the solution set of


f g 2  2   f g 3  4

Sol.    
f x1  f x 2 x1  x2  f is increasing function.
g  x1   g  x 2  x1  x2  g is a decreasing function.
Monotonicity

 f  g  2  2    f  g  3  4 


12.
  
 g 2  2  g 3  4   ( f is increasing)

 2  2  3  4 ( g is decreasing)
   5  4  0
2

 
   1, 4 .

 
Ǫ10 Find the number of solution of the equation 3 tan x  x 3  2 in  0, 
 4 

Sol. 
Let f x  3 tanx  x3
 
 f ' x  3 sec2 x  3x2  0 in 0, 
 
4
 
 So f(x) is increasing and one–one
  
in  0, 
 4   3

f 0  0 and f   3   2.
4
  64

From graph, it is clear that there is only 1 solution.

GREATEST AND LEAST VALUE OF A FUNCTION

Case-I:
If a continuous function y = f(x) is strictly
increasing in the closed interval [a, b] then
f(a) is the least value. (figure-1) and f(b) is
greatest value
Case-II:
If a continuous function f(x) is strictly
decreasing in [a, b] then f(b) is the least
and f(a) is the greatest value of f(x) in [a, b].
(figure-2)
Case-III:
However if f(x) is non monotonic in [a, b] and
is continuous then the greatest and least
value of f(x) in [a, b] are those where f(x)
=0 or f’(x) does not exist or at the extreme
values. (figure-3)
Monotonicity

13.
 2
4x3
Ex. Find least and greatest value of f(x) = ex in [–5, 5]

f(x) = ex 4x3
2

Sol.
for f(x) max → x2 – 4x + 3 be maximum
in [–5, 5]
x2 – 4x + 3 will be maximum at x = – 5 in
the given interval.
i.e., 25 + 20 + 3 = 48
 Max f(x) = e48 at x = –5
x2 – 4x + 3 will be minimum at x = 2 i.e., 4 –8 + 3 = –1
 Min f(x) = e–1 at x = 2.

Ex. Find the image of interval [–1, 3] under the mapping specified by the function
f(x) = 4x3 – 12x.

Sol. f’(x) = 12x2–12 = 12(x2 – 1)

f’(x) = 0 at x = ±1, f(–1) = 8, f(1) = –8
f(3) = 72  greatest value is 72 and least value is –8
Thus the image of interval [–1,3] will be [–8,72]

Ex. Find the range of the following function f(x)  x3 2 5x

Sol. We have f(x)  x  3  2 5  x

Whose domain is x  [3, 5] and its derivative is
1 1 5x 2 x3
f(x)   
2 x3 5x 2 x3 5x
Now, solving
17
5x  2 x3 i.e. 5  x  4(x  3) given x 
5
Hence, we have 17   17 
f(x)  0x  3, and f(x)  0x  ,5 
   
5 5
   
 17   17 
 f(x) strictly increases in 3,
  and strictly decreases in  ,5  .
 5   5 
Now, we have
 17   17 17
f(3)  2 2, f(5)  2 and f  5   3 2 5  10 .
5 5
Monotonicity

Hence, the range is y  [ 2, 10]

14.
 x 4  x 2  2x  8
Ex. Find the range of the following function f(x) 
x4  x2  2x  4

Sol. We have
x4  x2  2x  8 4 4
f(x)   1  1
x  x  2x  4 x  x  2x  4
 x  1
4 2 4 2 2
2
 (x  1)2  2
Let g(x) = (x2 –1) 2 + (x–1)2 + 2, whose least value = 2
and greatest value = ∞
4 4
Thus, we have for f(x) greatest value = 1   3 and least value = 1   1 .
2 
Also, f(x) is continuous and defined on R. Hence, the range of f(x), is y  (1, 3].

Ǫ1 Find range of following functions :

 
(a) f x  x2e x  
(b) f x  x  𝑙n 1  4x 

(c) f x 
x
 
(d) f x  2x 2  𝑙n | x |
𝑙n  x 

Sol. 
(a) f ' x  2xex  x2ex


 exx x  2 
 
 f x is decreasing in , 0  2,  and f(x) is increasing in (0, 2).
f    
; f 0  0;
4
f 2 ; f    0
e2
Graph :
 From graph, it is clear that range of
f(x) is 0,    1
(b) 1  4x  0  Domain : , 
 
4
 

4  4x  3
  1  4x  1  4x
f' x  1 
 3 1
 f' x  0  x   , 
 
4 4
   
3 

and f' x  0  x  ,

.

Monotonicity

4
 


15.
  3
 
 f x attains maxima at x 
4
lim f x 
 
 3 
x
3
f   ln 4  0
 
 4  4
lim f x   1
   
 1  4
x  
 4 
 3
  Range of f(x) is

 
, 𝑙n 4  .
4 
 
(c) Domain: x  0, x  1
𝑙nx  1

f' x 
𝑙nx2
     
 f' x  0  x  e & f' x  0  x  0, 1  1, e

 f x is decreasing in 0, 1  1, e and increasing in e,  .

lim f x  0 ; lim f x  

x0   x1  

lim f x   ; f e  e ; f    

x1  

 Range of f(x) is , 0  e, 

(d) Domain : x  R  0

f(x) is also an even function.

1 
2x  1 2x  1  
For x  0, f ' x  4x  x

x  1
1

 f' x  0  x  
& f' x  0  x  0,



2 2
 
 1   1 


f x is decreasing in  0,  and increasing in  ,   .
2 
 1  1  2 
 
f 0   ; f


 
  𝑙n 2 ; f       
 21 2 
 Range of f(x) is  𝑙n2,  
2 
 

Monotonicity




16.
 Ǫ2 f  x   ax  sin x . Find ‘a’ if the function has no critical point.

Sol. 
f ' x  a  cos x  0

 a  cos x  x  R

 a  , 1  1,   


Ǫ3  
If the function f x  sin x  a sin 2x 
1
3
sin 3x  2ax is monotonic increasing

x  R , then find ‘a’.


Sol. 
f ' x  cos x  2a cos 2x  cos 3x  2a  0


 2 sin x sin 2x  2a 2 sin2 x  0 
 4 sin2 x cos x  4a sin2 x  0

 4 sin2 x cos x  a  0 
 cos x  a  0
 a   cos x x  R
a1

x3

Ǫ4 Prove that f x   

dt
 
, x  0 is always an increasing function of x . (Note
2 𝑙nt
x

that f(0) and f(1) is not defined.)

Sol.  
f' x 
1
3x2   1
2x  
 
𝑙n x3 𝑙n x2 


x2  x x x  1


𝑙nx 𝑙nx

 f ' x  0  x  0, x  1 .

 f(x) is an increasing function of x. Hence Proved.

Ǫ5 Find all possible ‘b’ for which f(x) = sin2x – 8(b + 2)cos x – (4b2 + 16b + 6)x is
monotonic decreasing x  R and has no critical point.

 
Monotonicity

Sol. f' x  0 and f' x  0

 f' x  0

17.
    
 f ' x  2 cos 2x  8 b  2 sin x  4b2  16b  6  0  
     
 2 1  2 sin2 x  8 b  2 sin x  4b2  16b  6  0

 4  sin x  2 b  2  sin x  b  4b  1  0
2 2

  sin x  b  2    3
2

 sin x  b  2   3 or sin x  b  2  3
 b  sin x  3  2 or b  sin x  3  2
 b  1  3  2 or b  1  3  2


 b  , 3  3    3  1,  

 x
 5 4


Ǫ6 y
5
3 sin t  4 cos t dt in  , . Find the minimum and maximum value
 4 3 
 4

 of y.
dy  5 4 
Sol.  3 sinx  4 cos x  0 in  ,
dx 4 

 y is decreasing in this interval.
3
So y  4 
min
 f 
3
 
4
3

   3sint 4 cos t  dt
5
4
4
 3 cos t  4 3
sint 5
 
3  4

2 3  3 2 2 
   
2
 3

1 2
  2 

 ymin   3
2 2
 5 
ymax  f    0
 4 



Monotonicity




18.
 1

Ǫ7    
Use the function f x  x x x  0 to ascertain whether  e or e  is greater.

1 𝑙n x 

Sol. 
f x  xx  e x

 𝑙nx 
x  1  𝑙nx 

 f' x  e 

2

 x 
   
 f ' x  0  1  𝑙n x  0

 x  0, e

 f x  0x  e, 

So f(x) increases in (0, e) and then decreases.
1 1 

Since   e,   ee
e e
 1  1
     ee 
   
   
 e  e


Ǫ8  
If f x | px  q | r | x |, x  R, p, q,r  0 , assume its minimum value only at one

point, then find the relation between p, q, r.

 q
 px  q  rx; x 
 p
q
Sol. 
f x    x
q px rx; 0
 p
q  px  rx; x0


 q
p  r; x


 p
q

 f ' x  r  p; 0  x 

 p
p  r; x0


q

 f' x  0  x 
p
Monotonicity

19.
 
 f' x  0  x  0
q
In 0  x  ,
p
Case-I : r  p  f' x  0  q
Graph will have minimum x  0, 
 
p
 
So this case is rejected
Graph :
r p
Case-II : r > p

 f' x  0
Graph:
 r  p satisfies the condition
Case-III : r < p

 f' x  0

Graph :
q
 Again, f(x) has minima at only .
p
So, r < p satisfies the condition.
 Overall, for f(x) to have only one minima, necessary condition is p  r .

Ǫ9    
Find the minimum value of the function, f x  8x  8  x  4 4 x  4  x , x  R .

Sol. Let 2x  2x  t

 t2  4x  4x  2


 t 3  8x  8x  3 2x  2x 

Now, Since 2x  2x  2,   t  2,  
  
 f x  8x  8x  4 4x  4x 
  t  3t   4  t  2  , t  2,  
3 2

Differentiating, we get 3t  8t  3
= (t – 3) (3t + 1) > 0 when t > 3

 g t  t 3  4t 2  3t  8 decreases in [2, 3] and then increases.
Monotonicity

 g  t  has minima at t = 3.

20.
 
 minima value  g 3  27  36  9  8  10 .
 fmin  10

Ǫ10  
If x  0; f x  5x2 
A
x5
, A  0 (constant), find smallest A such that

f  x   24x  0 .

Sol. Applying A.M  G.M ,

A A 1
x2  x2  x2  x2  x2    A2  7
2x5 2x5  
7  
 4 
 A2 71

f x 7
 4 
 

Also, fmin  24
1 7
 A2 7 A2  24 
7  24   
 4  4 7
   
  24 7  24 27
 A2  4  A2
   
7 7
   
  24 2
7

 A  2  , 
 7 
   
 
7
, smallest A possible is 2  24 2 .
 
7
 
 3 b3  b2  b  1
x  ,0  x  1
Ǫ11 Let f  x    b2  3b  2
 2x  3 , 1  x  3
Find all possible real values of b such that f(x) has the smallest possible value
at x = 1.

3x2, 0  x  1
Sol. 
f' x  
2 , 1  x  3
Monotonicity

21.
 
 f x decreases in (0, 1) and then increases

 There are 3 possible cases depending

on continuity of function:
Case-I : lim f x  f 1
x1
  


Case-II : lim f x  f 1
x1
  



Case-III : lim f x  f 1
x1
  
It is clear that only case-I and case-II satisfies the condition.

 lim f x  f 1  1
x1
 
b3  b2  b  1
 1   1
b2  3b  2
b3  b2  b  1
 0
b2  3b  2


b  1 b  1 0
2

b  1 b  2
 b   2, 1   1,  


Ǫ12 a, b  R satisfying | a  1|  | b  1 || a |  | b || a  1 || b  1| . Find minimum


value of | a  b |, a  b . 

Sol. 
Let f x | x  a |  | x  b |

 f 1  f 1  f 0 given

 2x  a  b, xb


 f x  b  a , axb
a  b  2x, x  a

Since f(0) = f(–1) = f(1), it is only possible
if –1, 0, 1 lies in [a, b]
Now 1 –(–1) = 2
b  a  2
when a  1 and b  1
Monotonicity

| a  b |min  2


22.
 Ǫ13 Find all possible values of ‘a’ for which f x  log a 4ax  x 2    is monotonically
 3 
increasing for every x   ,2  
 2 


f x 

𝑙n 4ax  x 2   f' x 
4a  2x
Sol.  
𝑙n a 𝑙n a  4ax  x 2 

 
Now 4ax  x 2  0 (Domain).

Case-I :  
a  1  𝑙n a  0


f ' x  0  4a  2x  0
 x  2a  x  2 a  1
  condition is satisfied for a  1 …(i)
Case-II :    
a  0, 1  𝑙n a  0
 f ' x  0  4a  2x 0
x
 x  2a  a 
2
Since x   3  3
 , 2 , a 
2 4
 3   
 a  0,  …(ii)

4 
  
Also, 4ax  x2  0 (domain)
 4a  x
x
a 
4
max imum possible values of x
a 
4
2 
a
4 
1
a …(iii)
2
i  ii  iii
 1 3
 a   ,   1,   
 2 4 
Monotonicity

23.
 ESTABLISHING INEǪUALITIES :
Notion of monotonicity helps in establishing
variety of inequalities involving algebraic and
transcendental function with much greater
ease.
If f(x)  g(x) or f(x)  g(x) is to be shown in some
interval we create a new function h(x) = f(x)
– g(x) and using monotonicity check whether
h(x)  0 or h(x)  0 in the given interval.

ILLUSTRATION:

  
Ǫ1 Prove that 2 sin x + tan x  3x  0  x  
 2 

Sol. f(x) = 2 sinx + tanx – 3x

f’(x) = 2 cos x + sec2x –3  
f”(x) = – 2sinx + 2sec2xtanx = 2sinx[sec 3x – 1]  0 x 
  0, 

 
 2 
 f’(x)     f’(x)  f’(0)
in 0, 
 2 
or f’(x)  0  f(x)  hence f(x)  f(0)
  
in 0,   f(x)  0  2sinx + tanx  3x
 2 

x .
Ǫ2 Find the set of values of x for which ln(1 + x) >
1 x
x = ln(1 + x) + 1  1
Sol. f(x) = ln(1 + x) –
1 x 1 x
Domain: x > – 1
f’(x) = 1  1

x
1  x (1  x) 2
(1  x)2
f’(x)  0  x  0  f(x)  & f’(x)  0 x  0  f(x)
f’(0) = 0
 f(x) > f(0) xDf – {0}
 f(x) > 0  x(–1, 0)  (0, )
Monotonicity

24.
 x2
Show that ln(1 + x) > x – x(0, )
Ǫ3 2
x2
Consider the function f(x) = ln(1 + x) – x + , x  (0, )
Sol. 2
1 1

f' x 
1 x
 1
2
2x  
x2
  0 x 0
x1
 f(x) strictly increases in (0, )
 f(x) > f(0+) = 0
x2
i.e. ln (1 + x) > x – which is the desired result.
2

Ǫ4 Show that the equation x5 – 3x – 1 = 0 has a unique root in [1, 2].

Sol. Consider the function

f(x) = x5 – 3x – 1, x  [1, 2]
and f’(x) = 5x4 – 3 > 0  x  [1, 2]
 f(x) strictly increases in [1, 2]
Also, we have
f(1) = 1 – 3 – 1 = – 3
and f(2) = 32 – 6 – 1 = 25
From the shape of the curve shown alongside,
we can see that the curve y = f(x) will cut the
X-axis exactly once in [1, 2]
i.e. f(x) will vanish exactly once in [1, 2]

x < ln(1 + x) < x  x > 0

Ǫ5 Prove that
1 x
x
Sol. Consider the function f(x) = ln(1 + x) – , x > 0.
1 x
1 1 x
Then f’(x) =    0x  0
1 x (1  x) 2
(1  x) 2

 f(x) strictly increases in (0, )

x
 f(x) > 0, f(0+) = 0 & i.e. ln(1 + x) > which proves the LHI.
1 x
Now, consider the function g(x) = x – ln(1 + x), x > 0
1 x
 
g' x  1  
1 x 1 x
Monotonicity

 g'  x  0 x0
 g(x) strictly increases in (0, )  g(x) > g(0+) = 0
i.e. x > ln(1 + x) which proves the RHI. 25.
 Using calculus, find the order of relation between x and tan1 x when
Ǫ6
x  0,  .

Sol.  
Let f x  x  tan1 x
1 x2

 f 0  0 ; f' x  1     0
1  x2 1  x2
 
 f x is increasing x  0,  
Since f 0  0, f x  0  x  0 .

 x  tan1 x  0  x  0

 x  tan1 x  x  0

 
p

Ǫ7 For 0  p  1 and for any a > 0, b > 0, prove that a  b  a p  bp

Sol. To prove: a  b p  ap  bp
Or
p p
a  a
  1    1
b b
   
   p  xp  1, 0  p  1
Let f x  x  1

 f '  x   p  x  1  pxp1
p1

p p
   0x  0

 1  x 1p x1p
 Since f 0  0, f x  0x  0

  x  1  xp  1  0x  0
p

  x  1  xp  1  x  0
p

p p
a  a
   1   b   1 a, b  0
b   

 a b p  ap  bp a, b  0, 0  p  1 Hence proved.
Monotonicity

26.
 tan x x 
Ǫ8 Proved that :
x

sin x
for 0  x  
2
tanx x 
To proved :  for 0  x  
Sol. x sin x 2
Or

sinx tan x  x2  0 for 0  x  
2
   sinx tanx  x2
Let f x

f ' x  sinx sec2 x  cos x tanx  2x

 
 sin x 1  sec2 x  2x

     
f '' x  cos x 1  sec2 x  sin x 2 sec x sec x tan x  2


 sec x  cos x  2  2––– 
sec2–––
x sin x tan x
0 0
 

 f '' x  0 x  0, 
 
2
 
  


f' x is increasing in  0, 
 2 
 
  
Since f' x  0 at x = 0, f' x  0 in x  0, 
 
2
 
  


f x is increasing in  0, 
 2 
    
Again, since f 0  0, f x  0 in 0, 

 
 
2
 
  sin x tanx  x 
2   
0 in  0,  
 tanx x   
 2 
 Hence proved.
  in0, 
x sin x  2 


Ǫ9 Establish the inequality given below by examining the sign of the derivative of
1  1 1
an appropriate function:  𝑙n 1   for x  0
 1   x  x
x   
 2  
Let
Monotonicity

Sol. 1  1 

f x  1  𝑙 n 1 x 
x   
2

27.
 1 1  12 

f' x  2  1 x 

 1 
x  2  1   
  x
4 1
 
 2x  12 
x x1 
4x2  4x  4x2  4x  1

 2x  12 x  x  1
1

 f' x  0
 2x  1 x  x  1
2

 
 f x is an increasing function

f    0  0  0

Since f     0 and f(x) is increasing function,

 f x  0x  0
1  1 
 1  𝑙 n 1  x   0
x  
2
1  
  𝑙 n 1  1  for x > 0
1  x
x 
2
Now Let g x  𝑙   1   1
n 1 x  x
 
1 1

 g' x  

x x1  x2
1
  0x  0
x 2
x  1

g x  is increasing x  0

Again, g     0

Since g(x) is increasing x  0 ,


g x  0 x  0
 1 1
Monotonicity

𝑙   x  0 Hence proved.
n 1 
 x  x


28.
 Ǫ10  
If f x  𝑙n 𝑙n x     where x > e, prove that
    
1 1
 f m 1  f m  for m  e
  
m  1 𝑙n m  1 m.𝑙n m  
1
Sol. 
f' x   0x  e
 
𝑙n x x

 
f '' x 
1
 𝑙n  x   1  0x  e
 x𝑙n  x 
2


 f' x is a decreasing function
b

We know that g x  min b  a    g  x  dx  gmax b  a 

a

Applying it on f' x in   m, m  1

m1

f 'min m  1  m 

m
f'  x  dx  f 'max m  1  m


1 1

Since f' x is decreasing function, f' x  min  and f 'max 
m  1 𝑙n m  1  
m𝑙n m
1 1
 
 f m 1 f m     m  e Hence proved.
m  1 𝑙n m  1 m𝑙n m 

x
 1
Ǫ11  
Prove that f x  1   is always an increasing function for all x in its do-
 x 
main. State its range and also plot the graph of the function.

Domain of f x f0
Sol. 1
1  0
x
1x
 0
x

 x  , 1  1,    
 1 
lim x 1 1

   x 


lim f x  e
x 

x

 f   e
Monotonicity

 
f 1  

29.
 x𝑙n 1 1 


x

lim f x  lim e
x

x



  1  
𝑙
 n  1  
  x  
 1 
 x 


 lim e  

x

 
f  e
 lim f x  e
x
 
x𝑙n1 1
x

f x  e   
   
 1    1  x  1  
 
 f ' x  x𝑙n 1  𝑙n 1  x    
x 
   2 
e
  
    1  1  x 
 


x   x  
 
 1   1 1 
 
 f ' x   1    𝑙n  1   
x x x  1

     
Let g x  𝑙   1   1
 n 1 x  x  1
 
 1    1  1
g' x  
    
1  x2 
 1  
x 
x1  2


1 1
 
x x1   x1
2

 
 g x will decrease for x > 0 and

increase for x < 0

Since, g(x) increases for x < 0 and then
decreases for x > 0
We can conclude that g(x) > 0

 f' x  0  f x  is increasing.

 Graph of f(x)
Range : (1, ∞) – {e}
Monotonicity

30.