M

Applications of Differentiation
Average Rate vs Instantaneous Rate
Average rates is the rate of change over a period of time.
This is equal to the gradient of a straight line
joining the two points.
For any function y = f ( x) , the average rate of
change of the function over the interval x   a, b 
is calculated as
f (b) − f (a)
.
b−a
In the example, f ( x) = ( x − 2)( x + 2) ,

f (b) − f (a)
average rate of change =
b−a
f (3) − f ( −1)
= =2
3 − (−1)

Instantaneous rate of change is found by drawing a tangent to the curve at a point and finding
the gradient of the tangent. This can be accurately found by differentiation.
In the example, gradient function f '( x) = 2 x ,

instantaneous rate of change at ( 3,5) = 2(3) = 6

Learn to use TI-84 Calculator to find gradient at a point.

𝑑𝑦
An interesting fact to explore is how is related to tan𝜃 where 𝜃 is the angle of inclination from the
𝑑𝑥
positive x-axis.
Example 1
The number of mosquitoes, N, around a dam on a certain night
can be modelled by the equation

N = 100 log e (2t + 1) + 5t + 1000

where t equals hours after sunset. Find

(a) the initial number of mosquitoes,
(b) the average rate of change in the first 4 hours,
(c) the instantaneous rate of change at any time t,
(d) the rate of change when t = 4 hours.
Stationary points

dy
• For the curve y = f ( x ) , stationary points occur when = 0.
dx
• There are two types of stationary points:

(a) turning points (maximum/minimum points)

(b) points of inflexion

Nature of dy Example
(the sign test)
stationary point dx
Minimum point changes from negative to positive

Maximum point changes from positive to negative

Point of inflexion does not change sign

Example 2

For the curve y = 2 x 3 + 3 x 2 − 12 x − 8 ,

(a) find the stationary points,

(b) determine the nature of each of these stationary points using the gradient table,
(c) sketch the graph of y = 2 x 3 + 3 x 2 − 12 x − 8 for −3 ≤ 𝑥 < 2,
(d) state the angle of inclination of the tangent at x = − 1.5.

Gradient Table:

x
dy
dx
Slope
Homework Exercise

1(a) Find the stationary points of the function f (x) = x 3 − 2 x 2 − 7 x − 4 and state their nature.
(b) Show that the graph passes through (4, 0).
(c) Give the coordinates of all axes intercepts and hence sketch the graph of f (x) for
−2 < 𝑥 ≤ 4.

Answer for (a): Answer for (b):

Answer for (c):

x-intercepts are
y-intercept is

Gradient Table:

x
dy
dx
Slope
2(a) Find the stationary points, and their nature, for the curve y = x 3 − x 2 − 16 x + 16 .
(b) Show that the graph passes through (1, 0) and give the coordinates of all other intercepts.
(c) Sketch the graph.
(d) State the angle of inclination of the tangent line when x = −3.

Answer for (a): Answer for (b):

Answer for (c):

x-intercepts are
y-intercept is

Gradient Table:

x
dy
dx
Slope
 Optimisation: Maximum and Minimum Problems (when the function is unknown)

These steps should be followed.

1. Draw a diagram if appropriate.

2. Identify the quantity to be maximised or minimised.
3. Express this quantity in terms of one variable only.
4. Solve f′(x) = 0.
5. Verify it is a maximum or minimum using the first derivative test (i.e. Gradient Table).
6. Sketch the graph for a suitable domain.
7. Answer the question.

The following formulas may be useful in problem solving:

Area of circle A = π r2
Curved surface area of a cylinder S = 2π rh
Surface area of a sphere S = 4π r2
Volume of a sphere
Volume of a cylinder V = π r2 h
Volume of a cone
Volume of a right pyramid
, where A is the area of the base
Distance between two points

Example 1

A cuboid container with a base length twice its width is to be made with 48 m2 of metal.
8 2x
a Show that the height is given by the expression h = − , where x is the width of the
x 3
base.
b Express the volume, V, in terms of x.
c Find the maximum volume.
Example 2
Find the minimum distance from the straight line with equation y = x – 4 to the point (1,1).

Example 3

A rectangle is inscribed under the parabola

y = 9 − (x − 3)2 so that two of its corners lie on the
parabola and the other two lie on the x-axis at equal
distances from the intercepts the parabola makes with
the x-axis.
a. Calculate the x-intercepts of the parabola.

b. Express the length and width of the rectangle in terms of x.

c. Hence show that the area of the rectangle is given by A = −2 x3 + 18 x 2 − 36 x .

d. For what values of x is this a valid model of the area?

e. Use Calculus to calculate, to 3 decimal places, the length and width of the rectangle
which gives the greatest area.
Optimisation Exercise
1 The frame of a container in the shape of a cuboid. If it
is to be made with a total length of 18 metres of steel
edging, find:
a the value of L in terms of x
b the expression for the volume in terms of x only
c the length of each edge for maximum volume
d the maximum volume.

2 A cuboid with a square base is to be made with 200 cm2 of material.

50 x
a Show that the height, h = − , where x is the side length of the base.
x 2
b Express the volume, V, in terms of x.
c Find the maximum volume (to the nearest unit).
3 A cylinder of cheese is to be removed from a spherical
piece of cheese of radius 8 cm. Find the maximum
possible volume of this cylindrical cheese. (Express
answer to the nearest unit.)

4 Find the minimum distance from the straight line with equation y = 2x + 3 to the point
(1,0).
5 A rectangular box with an open top is to be constructed from a rectangular sheet of
cardboard measuring 20 cm by 12 cm by cutting equal squares of side length x cm out of the
four corners and folding the flaps up.

The box has length l cm, width w cm and volume V cm3.

a. Express l and w in terms of x and hence express V in terms of x.

b. State any restrictions on the values of x.

c. Calculate the
length and width of the box with maximum volume and give this maximum volume to
the nearest whole number.

d. Sketch the graph of V against x for appropriate values of x.

6 Victoria wants to construct a time capsule in which to bury some of her treasures. The time
capsule will be a right circular cylinder of height h cm with a hemispherical cap of radius r cm on
top, as shown in the diagram.

Let the total volume of the capsule be V cm3 .

a) Express V in terms of r and h.

b) The total volume of the capsule will be 8000 cm3 .

8000 2r
Show that h = − .
 r2 3

c) Use Calculus to find the value of r which gives a minimum total surface area. Use the First
Derivative Test to verify the total surface area is a minimum.

d) Find the minimum surface area of the time capsule.