1.

INTRODUCTION

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1.i) BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO
DERIVATIVE TESTS

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 FIRST ORDER DERIVATIVE TEST
The first-derivative test examines a function's monotonic properties (where the
function is increasing or decreasing), focusing on a particular point in its domain.

1.. If f(x)>0 for every x on some interval I, then f(x) is increasing on the interval.
2. If f(x)<0 for every x on some interval I, then f(x) is decreasing on the interval.
3. If f(x)=0 for every x on some interval I, then f(x) is constant on the interval.

APPLICATIONS
The first-derivative test is helpful in solving optimization problems in physics,
economics, and engineering.
In conjunction with the extreme value theorem, it can be used to find the absolute
maximum and minimum of a real-valued function defined on a closed and bounded
interval.
In conjunction with other information such as concavity, inflection points, and
asymptotes, it can be used to sketch the graph of a function.

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 SECOND ORDER DERIVATIVE TEST

After establishing the critical points of a function, the second-derivative test uses
the value of the second derivative at those points to determine whether such points
are a local maximum or a local minimum. If the function f is twice-differentiable at
a critical point x (i.e. a point where f’(x) =0), then:

Suppose that x=c is a critical point of f'(c) such that f'(c)=0 and
that f’(x) is continuous in a region around x=c. Then,

1. If f’(c)<0 then x=c is a relative maximum.

2. If f’(c)>0 then x=c is a relative minimum.
3. If f’(c)=0 then x=cx=c can be a relative maximum, relative
minimum or neither.

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 HIGHER ORDER DERIVATIVE TEST

The higher-order derivative test or general derivative test is able to determine whether a
function’s critical points are maxima, minima, or points of inflection for a wider variety of
functions than the second-order derivative test.

Say, we want to perform the general derivative test on the function f(x) = x⁶ + 5 at the point x =
0. To do this, we calculate the derivatives of the function and then evaluate them at the point of
interest until the result is nonzero.

Example

f(x) = x⁶ + 5, f(0) = 0 + 5 = 5

f′(x) = 6x⁵, f′(0) = 0

f″(x) = 30x⁴, f″(0) = 0

f‴(x) = 120x³, f‴(0) = 0

f⁽⁴⁾(x) = 360x², f⁽⁴⁾(0) = 0

f⁽⁵⁾(x) = 720x, f⁽⁵⁾(0) = 0

f⁽⁶⁾(x) = 720, f⁽⁶⁾(0) = 720

As shown above, at the point x = 0, the function f(x) = x⁶ + 5 has all of its derivatives at 0 equal
to 0, except for the 6th derivative, which is positive. Thus n = 6, and by the test, there is a local
minimum at 0.

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1.(ii) INTRODUCTION TO MONOTONIC
FUNCTIONS

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 In mathematics , as we know that a function is a relation between input and output .A function
can be increasing ,decreasing or constant for the given intervals throught their entire domain ,
and they are continuous and differentiable in the given interval

Increasing or decreasing functions are called monotonic functions and the property
of increasing or decreasing of a function is called monotonicity of the function.

Increasing and decreasing functions can be easily explained with the help of
derivatives as it is one of the most important applications of derivatives
Derivatives are generally used to identfy wheather the given function is increasing
or decreasing at a particular interval of time
This increase and a decrease of the function enhance the appropriateness of the
rate of change of quality obtained by the function

To clarify the concept further , let us have a look at graph of Fig 2 the function of
f(x)=x2

(Fig 1.)

As can be seen from the graph. The function f(x) = x2 decreases on [- ∞ ,0] and
increases on [0, ∞]. The function is monotonic on (- ∞,0) and (0, ∞), but it is not
monotonic on (- ∞, ∞).

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 INCREASING FUNCTIONS
When a function is increasing in the given interval, then such a type is known as an
increasing function.

Whenever x₁ < x₂, f(x₁) < f(x₂).

(Fig 2.)

Or , in terms of slope of a tangent, a function is increasing when the tangent has a

positive slope.

(Fig 3.)

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 STRICTLY INCREASING FUNCTIONS
When the value of y increases with the increase in the value of x, then such a type
of function is known as a strictly increasing function.

Whenever x₁ < x₂, f(x₁) < f(x₂).

(Fig 4.)

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 DECREASING FUNCTIONS
When a function is decreasing in the given interval, then such type of function is
known as a decreasing function.

Whenever x₁ < x₂, f(x₁) > f(x₂).

(Fig 5.)

Or ,in terms of slope of a tangent, a function is decreasing when the tangent has a
negative slope.

(Fig 6.)

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 STRICTLY DECREASING FUNCTIONS
When the value of y decreases with the increase in the value of x, then such type of
function is known as a strictly decreasing function.

Whenever x₁ < x₂, f(x₁) > f(x₂).

(Fig 7.)

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 CONSTANT FUNCTIONS
When a function is neither increasing nor decreasing in the given interval, then
such a type of function is known as a constant function.

For all x₁ and x₂, f(x₁) = f(x₂).

(Fig 8.)

Or , in terms of slope of a tangent, a function is constant when the tangent has a

zero slope.

(Fig 9.)

To effectively sum up the types of functions , let us take a look at the graph below

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 (Fig 10.)

Thus , the function graphed in Fig 11 is increasing on the interval [- ∞,0],

decreasing on the interval [0,1] , increasing again , on the interval [1,2] and
constant on the interval [2,+ ∞].

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2. OBJECT OF PROJECT

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-To understand the meaning of increasing

and decreasing functions.

- To understand how to show as well as

work out when a function is increasing or decreasing.

-To understand the monotonicity (increasing or decreasing)

of functions while using the concept of

geometrical significance of

(Fig.11)

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 3.TOOLS

> Concept of differentiation =

> Monotonicity of functions

> Derivative tests : a) First order

b) Second order

c) Higher order

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 4.PROCEDURE
(For both First and second order derivatives)

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Working rule to find local maxima and local minima

Let f(x) be the given function.

Method I. First derivative test

Step 1. Find f’(x) and put in equal to zero.

Step 2. Solve f’(x) = 0. Its roots could possibly be the points of local maxima or local minima

off. Suppose one of the roots is ‘a’.

Step 3. Determine the sign of f(x) for values of x slightly less than 'a’ and for values slightly

greater than a

One of the three cases may arise:

(i) If f(x) changes sign from positive to negative, (+ to -), then x =a is a point of maxima.

(ii) If f(x) changes sign from negative to positive, (- to +), then x =a is a point of minima.

(iii) If f(x) does not change sign as x increases through a, then x = a is neither a point of

maxima nor a point of minima. Such a point is called a point of inflexion.

Similarly, do for other roots.

Method 2. Second order derivative test

Step 1, Find f’(x) and put it equal to zero.

Step 2. Find the roots off’(x) = 0. These could possibly be the points of local maxima or minima.
Suppose one of the roots is x = a.

Step 3. Find the second derivative f"(x), by differentiating again of f(x) wr. 1. x.

Step 4. Check the sign of f"(x) at each root value obtained in step 2. Suppose we do it at x = a.

Then,

(i) If f’(a) <0 (i.e., -ve), then ‘a’ is a point of local maxima.
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 (ii) If f"(a)> 0 (i.e., +ve), then 'a’ is a point of local minima.

(iii) If f"(a)= 0, then the test fails.

Step 5. Now find the maximum or minimum value of x by substituting for x, the values of x

obtained in step 2 in the given function f(x).

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5.APPLICATION

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Question:

Find the turning points on the curve y = 2x3 - 21x2 + 36x - 20 and distinguish
between them. Also, find the maximum and minimum values of the function.

SOLUTION BY METHOD 1:

y = 2x³ – 21x² + 36x – 20

= 6x² – 42x + 36 = 6(x – 6)(x – 1)

= 0 gives x = 1 or 6

(i) If x is slightly less than 1, then = (+).

If x is slightly more than 1, then = (–).

Therefore, at x = 1, changes sign from + to –.

Therefore, the curve has a maximum point at x = 1.

The corresponding value of y (for x = 1) = 2 – 21 + 36 – 20 = –3.

The maximum value = –3.

(ii) If x is slightly less than 6, then = (–).

If x is slightly more than 6, then = (+).

At x = 6, changes sign from – to +.

Therefore, the curve has a minimum point at x = 6.

The corresponding value of y (for x = 6) = 432 – 756 + 216 – 20 = –128.

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Therefore, the minimum value = –128.

The two turning points are (1, –3) and (6, –128).

SOLUTION BY METHOD 2

y = 2x³ – 21x² + 36x – 20

= 6x² – 42x + 36 = 0

= 6(x – 6)(x – 1) = 0

Therefore, x = 1 or x = 6.

Now, = 12x – 42.

When x = 1, = 12 – 42 = –30, which is negative ( < 0).

Therefore, the curve has a maximum point at x = 1.

When x = 6, = 72 – 42 = 30, which is positive ( > 0).

Therefore, the curve has a minimum point at x = 6.

Maximum value = (value of y at x = 1) = 2 – 21 + 36 – 20 = –3.

Minimum value = (value of y at x = 6) = 432 – 756 + 216 – 20 = –128.

Therefore, (1, –3) is the maximum point and (6, –128) is the minimum point.

EXAMPLE SUMS

Based on the overall topic of monotonicity -INCREASING & DECREASING FUNCTIONS

Question 01

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Show that the following function (x³ – 3x² + 3x – 100) is increasing on R
Solution :Let f(x) = x³ – 3x² + 3x – 100
Then f′(x) = 3x² – 6x + 3 = 3(x – 1)²
Being a square, (x – 1)² is +ve for all values of x
Thus f′(x) is +ve for all values of x .Hence f(x) is increasing function on R.

Question 02

Find the intervals in which the function f(x)= 2x³ – 15x² + 36x +1 is increasing or decreasing
solution: y = 2x³ – 15x² + 36x + 1
= 6x² – 30x + 3

=0 => 6(x – 2)(x – 3)=0 Therefore x=2 or x=3

Therefore, function is:

(Fig 12.)

• Increasing in the interval (–∞, 2) ∪ (3, ∞)

• Decreasing in the interval (2, 3).

Question 03

Find the values of x for which f(x)=(x(x+2))2 is an increasing function Also find points on
the curve , where the tangent is parallel to the x axis

Solution: Given ,

f(x) = x²(x – 2)²

f′(x) = 4x(x – 1)(x – 2)

f′(x)=0 > x(x-1)(x-2) =0 Therefore , x = 0, 1, 2.

The points x=0,x=1 and x=2 divide the real line into the disjoint intervals (-∞,0),(0,1),(1,2) and
(2, ∞) . The nature of the function f(x) in these intervals is as determined in the following table

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From the above table it is clear that f(x) is increasing in [0,1] and [2, ∞] , i.e. 0≤x ≤ and x ≥2.
Now since the tangent is parallel to the x-axis so

=0=> 4x(x-1)(x-2)=0=> x = 0,1,2

(Fig 13.)

When x=0,y=(0)2(0-2)2=0 , when x=1 ,y=(1)2(1-2)2=1

When x=2,y=(2)2(2-2)2=0

Hence the required points are (0,0) , (1,1) , (2,0)

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 6.FINDINGS
With the help of this project, we were able to understand the concept of
monotonicity of functions and the property of increasing or decreasing functions
using derivatives.

We also understood the process of solving various problems pertaining to

increasing and decreasing functions, as well as the usage of derivative tests of first
order and second order.

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 7.CONCLUSION
From this project, we conclude that:

• Derivatives are powerful tools to study the nature of functions.

• Monotonicity helps in determining whether a function is increasing,

decreasing, or constant in a given interval.

• The first derivative test and second derivative test provide quick methods for
finding maxima and minima.

• Higher-order derivative tests extend the concept further for complex

functions.

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 8.BIBLIOGRAPHY
• https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/increasing-and-decreasing-functions/

• https://www.askiitians.com/iit-jee-applications-of-derivatives/increasing-and-decreasing-
functions/

• https://www.vedantu.com/iit-jee/increasing-and-decreasing-functions

• https://www.slideshare.net/JamesTagara/119-increasing-amp-decreasing-functions

• https://www.slideshare.net/ShaunWilson10/increasing-decreasing-functions-58398874

• https://eskool.com/learn/maths-104-12/application-of-derivatives/2984/ppt#15

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derivative_test

• ISC Math Book 2, Anubhuti Gangal, O.P. Malhotra & S.K. Gupta (2021). Applications of
Derivatives (pp. 11-26 – 11-37).

• ISC Math Book 2, Anubhuti Gangal, O.P. Malhotra & S.K. Gupta (2021). Maxima and
Minima (pp. 12-5 – 12-6).

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