CH 2

2
Geometrical
Applications
of Calculus
TERMINOLOGY
Anti-differentiation: The process of finding a primitive
(original) function from the derivative. It is the inverse
operation to differentiation
Minimum turning point: A local stationary point (where

the first derivative is zero) and where the curve is
concave up. The gradient of the tangent is zero
Concavity: The shape of a curve as it bends around (it can

be concave up or concave down)
Monotonic increasing or decreasing function: A function is

always increasing or decreasing
Differentiation: The process of finding the gradient of a

tangent to a curve or the derivative
Point of inflexion: A point at which the curve is neither

concave upwards nor downwards, but where the
concavity changes
Gradient of a secant: The gradient (slope) of a line

between two points that lie close together on a curve
Gradient of a tangent: The gradient (slope) of a line that
is a tangent to a curve at a point on a function. It is the
derivative of the function
Horizontal point of inflexion: A stationary point (where
the first derivative is zero) where the concavity of the
curve changes
Instantaneous rate of change: The derivative of a function
Maximum turning point: A local stationary point (where
the first derivative is zero) and where the curve is
concave down. The gradient of the tangent is zero
Primitive function: The original function found by

working backwards from the derivative. Found by antidifferentiation
Rate of change: The rate at which the dependent variable
changes as the independent variable changes
Stationary (turning) point: A local point at which the
gradient of the tangent is zero and the tangent is
horizontal. The first derivative is zero
Chapter 2 Geometrical Applications of Calculus
INTRODUCTION
YOU LEARNED ABOUT differentiation in the Preliminary Course. This is the
process of finding the gradient of a tangent to a curve. This chapter looks at

how the gradient of a tangent can be used to describe the shape of a curve.
Knowing this will enable us to sketch various curves and find their maximum
and minimum values. The theory also allows us to solve various problems
involving maximum and minimum values.
DID YOU KNOW?

Although Newton and Leibniz are said to have discovered calculus, elements of calculus were
around before then. It was Newton and Leibniz who perfected the processes and developed the
notation associated with calculus.
Pierre de Fermat (160165) used coordinate geometry to find maximum and minimum
values of functions. His method is very close to calculus. He also worked out a way of finding the
tangent to a curve.
The 17th-century mathematicians who developed calculus knew that it worked, but it was
not fully understood. Limits were not introduced into calculus until the nineteenth century.
Gradient of a Curve
To learn about the shape of a curve, we first need to revise what we know
about the gradient of a tangent. The gradient (slope) of a straight line measures
the rate of change of y with respect to the change in x.
Since the gradient of a curve varies, we find the gradient of the tangent at
each point along the curve.
31
32
Maths In Focus Mathematics HSC Course
EXAMPLES
1.
2.
3.
4.
33
In the examples on the previous page, where the gradient is positive, the
curve is going up, or increasing (reading from left to right).
Where the gradient is negative, the curve is going downwards, or
decreasing.
The gradient is zero at particular points of the curves. At these points
the curve isnt increasing or decreasing. We say the curve is stationary at these
points.
If f l] x g > 0, the curve is increasing
If f l] x g < 0, the curve is decreasing
If f l] x g = 0, the curve is stationary
A curve is monotonic increasing or decreasing if it is always increasing or
decreasing; that is,
if f l] x g > 0 for all x (monotonic increasing)
or f l] x g < 0 for all x (monotonic decreasing)
EXAMPLES
1. Find all x values for which the curve f ] x g = x2 4x + 1 is increasing.
Solution
f l] x g = 2x 4
f l] x g > 0 for increasing curve
i.e. 2x 4 > 0
2x > 4
x>2
So the curve is increasing for x > 2.
This function is a
parabola.
CONTINUED
34
2. Find the stationary point on the parabola y = x2 6x + 3.
Solution
dy
dx
= 2x 6
dy
=0
dx
i.e.
2x 6 = 0
2x = 6
x=3
2
]
When x = 3, y = 3 6 3 g + 3
= 6
For stationary points,
So the stationary point is ^ 3, 6 h.
3. Find any stationary points on the curve y = x3 48x 7.
Solution
yl = 3x2 48
For stationary points, yl = 0
i.e.
3x2 48 = 0
3x2 = 48
x2 = 16
`
x = 4
When x = 4, y = 43 48 (4) 7
= 135
You will use stationary points

to sketch curves later in this
chapter.
When x = 4, y = ] 4 g3 48 ( 4) 7
= 121
So the stationary points are ^ 4, 135 h and ^ 4, 121 h.
35
PROBLEM
What is wrong with this working out?
Find the stationary point on the curve y = 2x2 + x 1.
Solution
yl = 4x + 1
i.e.
4x + 1 = 0
4x = 1
x = 0.25
When x = 0.25, y = 4 ( 0.25) + 1
= 1 + 1
=0
So the stationary point is ^ 0.25, 0 h.
Can you find the

correct answer?
2.1 Exercises
1.
Find the parts of each curve

where the gradient of the tangent
is positive, negative or zero. Label
each curve with +, or 0.
(d)
(a)
2.
Find all values of x for which the

curve y = 2x 2 x is decreasing.
3.
Find the domain over which

the function f ] x g = 4 x 2 is
increasing.
4.
Find values of x for which the

curve y = x 2 3x 4 is
(a) decreasing
(b) increasing
(c) stationary.
5.
Show that the function

f ] x g = 2x 7 is always
(monotonic) decreasing.
(b)
(c)
36
6.
Prove that y = x 3 is monotonic

increasing for all x 0.
7.
Find the stationary point on the

curve f (x) = x 3.
8.
Find all x values for which the

curve y = 2x 3 + 3x 2 36x + 9 is
stationary.
9.
Find all stationary points on the

curve
(a) y = x 2 2x 3
(b) f ] x g = 9 x 2
(c) y = 2x 3 9x 2 + 12x 4
(d) y = x 4 2x 2 + 1.
17. Sketch a function with f l] x g > 0

for x < 2, f l] 2 g = 0 and f l] x g < 0
when x > 2.
18. Draw a sketch showing a curve
dy
dy
with
< 0 for x < 4,
= 0 when
dx
dx
dy
x = 4 and
> 0 for x > 4.
dx
19. Sketch a curve with
x 1 and
dy
dx
dy
dx
> 0 for all
= 0 when x = 1.
10. Find any stationary points on the

curve y = ] x 2 g4.
20. Draw a sketch of a function

that has f l] x g > 0 for x < 2,
x > 5, f l] x g = 0 for x = 2, 5 and
f l] x g < 0 for 2 < x < 5.
11. Find all values of x for which

the curve f (x) = x 3 3x + 4 is
decreasing.
21. A function has f (3) = 2 and

f l] 3 g < 0. Show this information
on a sketch.
12. Find the domain over which the

curve y = x 3 + 12x 2 + 45x 30 is
increasing.
22. The derivative is positive at

the point (2, 1). Show this
information on a graph.
13. Find any values of x for which the

curve y = 2x 3 21x 2 + 60x 3 is
(a) stationary
(b) decreasing
(c) increasing.
23. Find the stationary points on the

curve y = ] 3x 1 g ] x 2 g4.
14. The function f ] x g = 2x 2 + px + 7

has a stationary point at x = 3.
Evaluate p.
15. Evaluate a and b if
y = x 3 ax 2 + bx 3 has stationary
points at x = 1 and x = 2.
16. (a) Find the derivative of
y = x 3 3x 2 + 27x 3.
(b) Show that the curve is
monotonic increasing for all
values of x.
24. Differentiate y = x x + 1 . Hence

find the stationary point on the
curve, giving the exact value.
25. The curve
f (x) = ax 4 2x 3 + 7x 2 x + 5
Find the value of a.
26. Show that f (x) = x has no
stationary points.
27. Show that f ] x g =
1
has no
x3
stationary points.
37
Types of Stationary Points

There are three types of stationary points.
Local minimum point
The curve is decreasing on the left and increasing on the right of the
minimum turning point.
x
f l] x g
LHS
Minimum
RHS
<0
>0
Local maximum point
The curve is increasing on the left and decreasing on the right of the
maximum turning point.
x
f l] x g
LHS
Maximum
RHS
>0
<0
Local maximum and minimum points are also called turning points,
as the curve turns around at these points. They can also be called relative
maxima or minima.
Point of horizontal inflexion
The derivative has the

same sign on both sides
of the inflexion.
The curve is either increasing on both sides of the inflexion or it is decreasing

on both sides. It is not called a turning point as the curve does not turn
around at this point.
38
x
f l] x g
LHS
Inflexion
RHS
>0
>0
or
<0
<0
The stationary points are important to the shape of a curve. A reasonably

accurate sketch of the curve can be made by finding these points, together
with the intercepts on the axes if possible.
EXAMPLES
1. Find the stationary point on the curve y = x 3 and determine which
type it is.
Solution
dy
dx
= 3x 2

i.e.
dy
=0
dx
3x 2 = 0
x=0
When x = 0, y = 0 3
=0
So the stationary point is ^ 0, 0 h.
To determine its type, check the curve on the LHS and the RHS.
x
Substitute x = 1 into
dy
dx
dy
dx
Since the curve is increasing on both sides, (0, 0) is a point of inflexion.
39
2. Find any stationary points on the curve f ] x g = 2x 3 15x 2 + 24x 7 and

distinguish between them.
Solution
f l] x g = 6x 2 30x + 24
For stationary points, f l(x) = 0
i.e.
6x 2 30x + 24 = 0
x 2 5x + 4 = 0
(x 1) (x 4) = 0
`
x = 1 or 4
f (1) = 2 ] 1 g3 15 ] 1 g2 + 24 ] 1 g 7
=4
So ^ 1, 4 h is a stationary point.
x
f l] x g
24
12
` ^ 1, 4 h is a maximum stationary point

f (4) = 2 ] 4 g3 15 ] 4 g2 + 24 (4) 7
= 23
x
f l] x g
12
24
` ^ 4, 23 h is a minimum stationary point.
Substitute x = 0 and x = 2
into f(x). Take care that
there is no other stationary
point between the x values
you choose.
40
2.2 Exercises
1.

curve y = x2 1 and show that it
is a minimum point by checking
the derivative on both sides of it.
2.

curve y = x4 and determine its
type.
3.

curve y = x3 + 2 and determine its
nature.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
The function f ] x g = 7 4x x2
has one stationary point. Find its
coordinates and show that it is a
maximum turning point.
Find the turning point on
the curve y = 3x 2 + 6x + 1 and
determine its nature.
For the curve y = ] 4 x g2 find the
turning point and determine its
nature.
The curve y = x3 6x2 + 5 has 2
turning points. Find them and
use the derivative to determine
their nature.
Show that the curve f ] x g = x5 + 1
has a point of inflexion at ^ 0, 1 h.
Find the turning points on
the curve y = x3 3x2 + 5 and
determine their nature.

curve f ] x g = x4 2x2 3. What
type of stationary points are they?
11. The curve y = x3 3x + 2 has
2 stationary points. Find their
coordinates and determine
their type.
12. The curve y = x5 + mx3 7x + 5

Find the value of m.
13. For a certain function,
f l] x g = 3 + x. For what value
of x does the function have a
stationary point? What type of
stationary point is it?
14. A curve has f l] x g = x (x + 1) . For
what x values does the curve have
stationary points? What type are
they?
15. For a certain curve,
dy
= (x 1) 2 (x 2) . Find the x
dx
values of its stationary points and
50
16. (a) Differentiate P = 2x + x with
respect to x.
(b) Find any stationary points
on the curve and determine their
nature.
h 2 2h + 5
,
8
find any stationary points and
17. For the function A =
18. Find any stationary points for

the function V = 40r r 3 and
determine their nature (correct to
2 decimal places).
120
curve S = 2r + r (correct to 2
decimal places) and determine
their nature.
20. (a) Differentiate A = x 3600 x 2 .
(b) Find any stationary points for
A = x 3600 x 2 (to 1 decimal
place) and determine their nature.
41
Higher Derivatives
A function can be differentiated several times:
differentiating f ] x g gives f l] x g
differentiating f l] x g gives f m] x g
differentiating f m] x g gives f n ] x g, and so on
the other notation is
d2 y d3 y
dx2 dx3
and so on
Only the first 2 derivatives

are used in sketching
graphs of curves.
EXAMPLES
1. Find the first 4 derivatives of f (x) = x3 4x2 + 3x 2.
Solution
f l(x) = 3x2 8x + 3
f m(x) = 6x 8
f n(x) = 6
f mm(x) = 0
2. Find the second derivative of y = ] 2x + 5 g7.
Solution
dy
dx
d2 y
dx2
= 7 ] 2x + 5 g6 $ 2
= 14 ] 2x + 5 g6
= 14 $ 6 ] 2x + 5 g5 $ 2
= 168 ] 2x + 5 g5
3. Find f m] 1 g if f ] x g = x 4 1
Solution
f l(x) = 4x3
f m(x) = 12x2
` f m(1) = 12 ] 1 g2
= 12
Differentiating further will

only give 0.
42
2.3 Exercises
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Find the first 4 derivatives of

x 7 2x 5 + x 4 x 3.
If f ] x g = x 9 5, find f m] x g .
Find f l] x g and f m] x g if
f ] x g = 2x 5 x 3 + 1 .
Find f l] 1 g and f m] 2 g, given

f ] t g = 3t 4 2t 3 + 5t 4.
Find the first 3 derivatives of
x 7 2x 6 + 4x 4 7.
Differentiate y = 2x 2 3x + 3
twice.
12. Find all values of x for

which f m] x g > 0 given that
f ] x g = x3 x2 + x + 9.
13. Differentiate ] 4x 3 g5 twice.

14. Find f l] x g and f m] x g if
f ]xg = 2 x .
15. Find the first and second

x+5
derivatives of f ] x g =
.
3x 1
16. Find
17. Find the value of b in
If f ] x g = x 4 x 3 + 2x 2 5x 1, find
f l] 1 g and f m] 2 g.
8.
Differentiate x 4 twice.
9.
If g ] x g =
x , find g m] 4 g .
10. Given h = 5t 3 2t 2 + t + 5, find

d2 h
when t = 1.
dt2
11. Find the value of x for which
d2 y
= 3 given y = 3x 3 2x 2 + 5x.
dx2
d2 v
if v = ] t + 3 g (2t 1) 2 .
dt2
y = bx 3 2x 2 + 5x + 4 if
when x =
1
.
2
d2 y
dx2
= 2
18. Find the exact value of f m] 2 g if

f (x) = x 3x 4 .
19. Find f m] 1 g if f ] t g = t (2t 1) 7.
20. Find the value of b if
f ] x g = 5bx 2 4x 3 and f m] 1 g = 3.
Sign of the Second Derivative

The second derivative gives extra information about a curve that helps us to
find its shape.
Since f m] x g is the derivative of f l] x g, then f m] x g and f l] x g have the same
relationship as f l] x g and f ] x g.
That is
if f m(x) > 0 then f l(x) is increasing

if f m(x) < 0 then f l(x) is decreasing
if f m(x) = 0 then f l(x) is stationary
43
Concavity
If f m] x g > 0 then f l] x g is increasing. This means that the gradient of the
tangent is increasing, that is, the curve is becoming steeper.
f (x) is increasing since a

1
gradient of is greater
2
than a gradient of 6.
Notice the upward shape of these curves. The curve lies above the
tangents. We say that the curve is concave upwards.
If f m] x g < 0 then f l] x g is decreasing. This means that the gradient of the
tangent is decreasing. That is, the curve is becoming less steep.
f (x) is decreasing since

1
4 is less then .
2
Notice the downward shape of these curves. The curve lies below the
tangents. We say that the curve is concave downwards.
If f m] x g = 0 then f l] x g is stationary. That is, it is neither increasing nor
decreasing. This happens when the curve goes from being concave upwards to
concave downwards, or when the curve changes from concave downwards to
concave upwards. We say that the curve is changing concavity.
The point where concavity

changes is called an
inflexion.
These points of inflexion

are called horizontal
inflexions, as the tangent
is horizontal.
The curve has a point of inflexion as long as concavity changes.
44
Class Investigation
How would you check that concavity changes?
If f m] x g > 0, the curve is concave upwards.

If f m] x g < 0, the curve is concave downwards.
If f m] x g = 0 and concavity changes, there is a
point of inflexion.
EXAMPLES
1. Does the curve y = x 4 have a point of inflexion?
Solution
dy
dx
d2 y
dx2
= 4x 3
= 12x2
i.e.
The sign must change for

concavity to change.
d2 y
=0
dx2
12x2 = 0
x=0
For inflexions,
When x = 0, y = 04
=0
So ^ 0, 0 h is a possible point of inflexion.
Check that concavity changes:
x
d y
12
12
dx2
What type of point is it?
Since concavity doesnt change, (0, 0) is not a point of inflexion.
2. Find all values of x for which the curve f ] x g = 2x 3 7x 2 5x + 4 is

concave downwards.
Solution
f l(x) = 6x2 14x 5
f m(x) = 12x 14
For concave downwards, f m(x) < 0
12x 14 < 0
12x < 14
1
`
x<1
6
3. Find the point of inflexion on the curve y = x 3 6x 2 + 5x + 9.
Solution
yl = 3x2 12x + 5
y m = 6x 12
For inflexions, y m = 0
6x 12 = 0
6x = 12
`
x=2
When x = 2, y = 2 3 6 ] 2 g2 + 5 (2) + 9
=3
` ^ 2, 3 h is a possible point of inflexion

Check that concavity changes:
x
d y
2
dx 2
Since concavity changes, ^ 2, 3 h is a point of inflexion.
2.4 Exercises
1.
For what values of x is the curve

y = x3 + x2 2x 1 concave
upwards?
2.
Find all values of x for which

the curve y = ] x 3 g3 is concave
downwards.
3.
Prove that the curve

y = 8 6x 4x2 is always concave
downwards.
4.
Show that the curve y = x2 is

always concave upwards.
5.
Find the domain over which

the curve f ] x g = x3 7x2 + 1 is
concave downwards.
6.
Find any points of inflexion on

the curve g ] x g = x3 3x2 + 2x + 9.
7.
Find the points of inflexion on

the curve y = x4 6x2 + 12x 24.
45
46
8.

curve y = x 3 2. Show that it is an
inflexion.
9.
Find all values of x for

which the function
f ] x g = x 4 + 2x 3 12x 2 + 12x 1
is concave downwards.
10. Determine whether there are any

points of inflexion on the curve
(a) y = x 6
(b) y = x 7
(c) y = x 5
(d) y = x 9
(e) y = x 12
11. Sketch a curve that is always
concave up.
12. Sketch a curve where f m] x g < 0 for
x > 1 and f m] x g > 0 for x < 1.
13. Find any points of inflexion on the
curve y = x4 8x3 + 24x2 4x 9.
14. Show that f ] x g =
2
is concave
x2
upwards for all x 0.
15. For the function

f ] x g = 3x5 10x3 + 7
(a) Find any points of inflexion.
(b) Find which of these points

are horizontal points of inflexion
(stationary points).
16. (a) Show that the curve
y = x4 + 12x2 20x + 3 has no
points of inflexion.
(b) Describe the concavity of the
curve.
17. If y = ax3 12x2 + 3x 5 has
a point of inflexion at x = 2,
evaluate a.
18. Evaluate p if
f ] x g = x4 6px2 20x + 11 has a
point of inflexion at x = 2.
19. The curve
y = 2ax4 + 4bx3 72x2 + 4x 3
has points of inflexion at x = 2
and x = 1. Find the values of a
and b.
20. The curve y = x6 3x5 + 21x 8
has two points of inflexion.
(a) Find these points.
(b) Show that these points of
inflexion are not stationary
points.
If we combine the information from the first and second derivatives, this
will tell us about the shape of the curve.
EXAMPLES
1. For a particular curve, f ] 2 g = 1, f l] 2 g > 0 and f m] 2 g < 0. Sketch the
curve at this point, showing its shape.
Solution
f ] 2 g = 1 means that the point ^ 2, 1 h lies on the curve.
If f l] 2 g > 0, the curve is increasing at this point.
If f m ] 2 g < 0, the curve is concave downwards at this point.
47
2. The curve below shows the number of unemployed people P over

time t months.
d2 P
dP
and 2 .
dt
dt
(b) How is the number of unemployed people changing over time?
(c) Is the unemployment rate increasing or decreasing?
(a) Describe the sign of
Solution
(a) The curve is decreasing, so
dP
< 0 and the curve is concave upwards,
dt
d2 P
> 0.
dt2
(b) As the curve is decreasing, the number of unemployed people is
decreasing.
(c) Since the curve is concave upwards, the gradient is increasing. This
means that the unemployment rate is increasing.
so
Remember that the gradient,

or first derivative, measures
the rate of change.
48
2.5 Exercises
1.
For each curve, describe the sign

dy
d2 y
of
and 2 .
dx
dx
2.
The curve below shows the

population of a colony of seals.
(a)
(a) Describe the sign of the first

and second derivatives.
(b) How is the population rate
changing?
(b)
(c)
3.
Inflation is increasing, but the

rate of increase is slowing. Draw a
graph to show this trend.
4.
Draw a sketch to show the shape

of each curve:
(a) f l] x g < 0 and f m ] x g < 0
(b) f l] x g > 0 and f m] x g < 0
(c) f l] x g < 0 and f m] x g > 0
(d) f l] x g > 0 and f m] x g > 0
5.
The size of classes at a local TAFE

college is decreasing and the rate
at which this is happening is
decreasing. Draw a graph to show
this.
6.
As an iceblock melts, the rate at

which it melts increases. Draw a
graph to show this information.
7.
The graph shows the decay of a

radioactive substance.
(d)
(e)
Describe the sign of
dM
d2 M
and
.
dt
dt2
8.
9.
The population P of fish in a

certain lake was studied over
time, and at the start the number
of fish was 2500.
dP
(a) During the study,
< 0.
dt
What does this say about the
number of fish during the study?
d2 P
(b) If at the same time, 2 > 0,
d
what can you say about the
population rate?
(c) Sketch the graph of the
population P against t.
The graph shows the level of
education of youths in a certain
rural area over the past 100 years.
Describe how the level of

education has changed over this
period of time. Include mention
of the rate of change.
10. The graph shows the number of
students in a high school over
several years.
Describe how the school

population is changing over time,
including the rate of change.
Here is a summary of the shape of a curve given the first and second
derivatives.
dy
dx
d2 y
dx2
d2 y
dx2
d2 y
dx2
>0
<0
=0
>0
dy
dx
<0
dy
dx
=0
49
50
Class Investigation
There are three mistakes in this argument. Can you find all of them?
1
y = 2 x = 2x 2
dy
1 1
1
= 2c x 2 m =
2
dx
2 x
dy
dx
1
2 x
1
1
=0
i.e.
=0
= x
=x
So there are stationary points at x = 1 and x = 1.
Determining Types of Stationary Points

We can determine the type of a stationary point by looking at the first and
second derivatives together.
If f l] x g = 0 and f m] x g > 0, there is a minimum turning point.
The curve is concave

upwards at this point.
If f l] x g = 0 and f m] x g < 0, there is a maximum turning point.
The curve is concave

downwards at this point.
If f l] x g = 0, f m] x g = 0 and concavity changes, then there is a horizontal

point of inflexion.
Minimum turning point: f l] x g = 0, f m] x g > 0.

Maximum turning point: f l] x g = 0, f m] x g < 0.
Horizontal inflexion:
f l] x g = 0, f m] x g = 0
and concavity changes.
EXAMPLES
1. Find the stationary points on the curve f ] x g = 2x3 3x2 12x + 7 and
distinguish between them.
Solution
f l] x g = 6x2 6x 12
For stationary points, f l] x g = 0
i.e.
6x2 6x 12 = 0
x2 x 2 = 0
(x 2) (x + 1) = 0
x = 2 or 1
f (2) = 2 ] 2 g 3 3 ] 2 g 2 12 (2) + 7
= 13
So (2, 13) is a stationary point.

f (1) = 2 ] 1 g 3 3 ] 1 g 2 12 (1) + 7
= 14
Now f m(x) = 12x 6
f m(2) = 12 (2) 6
= 18
>0
(concave upwards)
f m(1) = 12 (1) 6
= 18
<0
(concave downwards)
So ^ 2, 13 h is a minimum turning point.
So ^ 1, 14 h is a maximum turning point.
2. Find the stationary point on the curve y = 2x5 3 and determine its
nature.
Solution
yl = 10x 4
i.e.
10x4 = 0
`
x=0
CONTINUED
51
52
When x = 0, y = 2 ] 0 g5 3
= 3
Now y m = 40x 3
When x = 0, y m = 40 ] 0 g3
=0
So ^ 0, 3 h is a possible point of inflexion.
Check concavity on the LHS and RHS:
x
d2 y
dx 2
40
40
Since concavity changes, ^ 0, 3 h is a horizontal point of inflexion.
2.6 Exercises
1.
Find the stationary point on

the curve y = x2 2x + 1 and
determine its nature.
2.

curve y = 3x4 + 1 and determine
what type of point it is.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

curve y = 3x2 12x + 7 and show
that it is a minimum point.
Determine the stationary point
on the curve y = x x2 and show
that it is a maximum turning
point.
8.
Find the stationary points on

the curve y = 3x4 4x3 12x2 + 1
and determine whether they are
maximum or minimum turning
points.
9.
Find any stationary points on the

curve y = ] 4x2 1 g4 and determine
their nature.
10. (a) Find any stationary points on

the curve y = 2x3 27x2 + 120x
and distinguish between them.
(b) Find any points of inflexion
on the curve.
Show that the curve f ] x g = 2x3 5

has an inflexion and find its
coordinates.
11. Find any stationary points on

the curve y = ] x 3 g 4 x and
Does the function f ] x g = 2x5 + 3

have a stationary point? If it
does, determine its nature.

curve y = x4 + 8x3 + 16x2 1 and

curve f ] x g = 2x3 + 15x2 + 36x 50
and determine their nature.
13. The curve y = ax2 4x + 1 has a

stationary point where x = 3.
(a) Find the value of a.
(b) Hence, or otherwise,
determine the nature of the
stationary point.
53
14. The curve y = x3 mx2 + 8x 7

has a stationary point where
x = 1. Find the value of m.
15. The curve y = ax3 + bx2 x + 5 has
a point of inflexion at ^ 1, 2 h .
Find the values of a and b.
Curve Sketching
We can sketch curves by finding all of their important features, such as
stationary points, points of inflexion and intercepts. Here is a summary of
strategies for sketching a curve.
1. Find stationary points ^ yl= 0 h .

2. Find points of inflexion ^ y m= 0 h .
3. Find intercepts on axes.
For x-intercept, y = 0
For y-intercept, x = 0
4. Find domain and range.
5. Find any asymptotes or limits.
6. Use symmetry, odd or even functions.
7. Draw up a table of values.
EXAMPLES
1. Find any stationary points and points of inflexion on the curve
f ] x g = x3 3x2 9x + 1 and hence sketch the curve.
Solution
f l(x) = 3x2 6x 9
and f m(x) = 6x 6
First, find the stationary points.
i.e.
3x 2 6x 9 = 0
x 2 2x 3 = 0
(x 3) (x + 1) = 0
`
x = 1 or 3
CONTINUED
We cannot always
find the x-intercept.
54
f (3) = ] 3 g 3 3 ] 3 g 2 9 (3) + 1
= 26
f ( 1) = ] 1 g 3 3 ] 1 g 2 9 ( 1) + 1
=6
We use the second derivative to determine their type.

f m(3) = 6 (3) 6
= 12
>0
(concave upwards)
f m(1) = 6 (1) 6
= 12
<0
(concave downwards)
` ^ 3, 26 h is a minimum turning point
^ 1, 6 h is a maximum turning point
Next, find any points of inflexion.

For inflexions, f m(x) = 0
i.e.
6x 6 = 0
6x = 6
x=1
f (1) = 1 3 3 ] 1 g 2 9 ] 1 g + 1
= 10
x
f m ]xg
Since concavity changes, ^ 1, 10 h is a point of inflexion.

Next, try to find intercepts on the axes.
For y -intercept, x = 0:
f ( 0 ) = 0 3 3 ] 0 g 2 9 ( 0) + 1
=1
For x-intercept, y = 0:
i.e. x 3 3x 2 9x + 1 = 0
This is too hard to solve.
Now sketch the graph using an appropriate scale so that all stationary
points and points of inflexion fit on the graph.
2. Sketch the curve y = 2x 3 + 1, showing any important features.
Solution
dy
dx
= 6x 2

i.e.
dy
=0
dx
6x 2 = 0
x=0
When x = 0, y = 2 ] 0 g 3 + 1
=1
d2 y
= 12x
dx 2
d2 y
At (0, 1) 2 = 12 (0)
dx
=0
So (0, 1) is a possible point of inflexion.
x
d2 y
dx2
12
12
Since concavity changes, (0, 1) is a horizontal inflexion.

For x-intercept, y = 0
2x 3 + 1 = 0
2x 3 = 1
x 3 = 0 .5
`
x = 0 .8
For y-intercept, x = 0
i.e.
CONTINUED
55
56
We already know this point. It is (0, 1), the inflexion. We can also find a
point on either side of the inflexion.
When x = 1, y = 2 ] 1 g 3 + 1
= 1
When x = 1, y = 2 ] 1 g 3 + 1
=3
2.7 Exercises
1.
Find the stationary point on

the curve f ] x g = x2 3x 4 and
determine its type. Find the
intercepts on the axes and sketch
the curve.
2.
Sketch y = 6 2x x2, showing

the stationary point.
3.

curve y = ] x 1 g 3 and determine
its nature. Hence sketch the
curve.
4.
Sketch y = x 4 + 3, showing any

stationary points.
5.

curve y = x 5 and show that it is a
point of inflexion. Hence sketch
the curve.
6.
7.
Sketch f ] x g = x 7.
curve y = 2x3 9x2 24x + 30 and
sketch its graph.
8.
(a) Determine any stationary

points on the curve
y = x 3 + 6x 2 7.
(b) Find any points of inflexion
on the curve.
(c) Sketch the curve.
9.
Find any stationary points

and inflexions on the curve
y = x 3 6x 2 + 3 and hence sketch
the curve.
10. Find any stationary points

y = 2 + 9x 3x2 x3. Hence sketch
the curve.
11. Sketch the function
f ] x g = 3x4 + 4x3 12x2 1,
showing all stationary points.
12. Find the stationary points on
the curve y = ] x 4 g (x + 2) 2 and
hence sketch the curve.
13. Find all stationary points

y = ] 2x + 1 g (x 2)4. Sketch the
curve.
2
1+x
has no stationary points. By
considering the domain and
range of the function, sketch the
curve.
57
15. Find any stationary points

x2
on the curve y =
. By also
x2
considering the domain of the
curve, sketch its graph.
14. Show that the curve y =
Maximum and Minimum Values

A curve may have maximum and minimum turning points, but they are not
necessarily the maximum or minimum values of the function.
EXAMPLE
You sketched this curve on

page 55.
This curve has a maximum turning point at ^ 1, 6 h . We call it a

relative maximum point, since it does not give the maximum value of
the graph. Similarly, the curve has a relative minimum turning point at
^ 3, 26 h . The curve does not have any absolute maximum or minimum
value since it increases to infinity and decreases to negative infinity.
If we restrict the domain of the curve to, say, 4 x 4, then the
curve will have an absolute maximum and minimum value. The absolute
maximum is the greatest value of the curve in the domain. The absolute
minimum is the least value of the curve in the domain.
In order to find the maximum or minimum value of a curve, find
the values of the function at the endpoints of the domain as well as its
turning points.
CONTINUED
The relative maximum

or minimum point
is also called a
local maximum or
minimum point.
58
When x = 4, y = ] 4 g 3 3 ] 4 g 2 9 ( 4) + 1
= 75
When x = 4, y = 43 3 ] 4 g 2 9 (4) + 1
= 19
The highest part of the

curve is at y = 6 and the
lowest part is at y = 75.
By restricting the curve to 4 x 4, the maximum value is 6 and the

minimum value is 75.
EXAMPLES
1. Find the maximum and minimum values of y for the function
f ] x g = x2 4x + 3 in the domain 4 x 3.
Solution
f l] x g = 2x 4

i.e.
2x 4 = 0
2x = 4
x=2
f ( 2 ) = 2 2 4 (2 ) + 3
= 1
f m(x) = 2
>0
(concave upwards)
` ^ 2, 1 h is a minimum turning point
Endpoints: f ] 4 g = ] 4 g 2 4 ( 4) + 3
= 35
f ( 3 ) = 3 2 4 (3 ) + 3
=0
The maximum value of y is 35 and the minimum value is l in the

domain 4 x 3.
2. Find the maximum and minimum values of the curve y = x 4 2x 2 + 1
for 2 x 3.
Solution
yl = 4x 3 4x
i.e.
4x 3 4x = 0
4x (x 2 1) = 0
4 x ( x + 1 ) (x 1 ) = 0
`
x = 0 or 1
When x = 1, y = 14 2 (1) 2 + 1
=0
When x = 1, y = ] 1 g 4 2 ] 1 g 2 + 1
=0
When x = 0, y = ] 0 g 4 2 ] 0 g 2 + 1
=1
Now y m = 12x2 4
When x = 1, y m = 12 ] 1 g 2 4
=8
>0
(concave upwards)
CONTINUED
59
60
So (1, 0) is a minimum turning point.

When x = 1, y m = 12 ] 1 g 2 4
=8
>0
(concave upwards)
So (1, 0) is a minimum turning point.

When x = 0, y m = 12 ] 0 g 2 4
= 4
<0
(concave downwards)
So (0, 1) is a maximum turning point.
Endpoints: When x = 2, y = ] 2 g 4 2 ] 2 g 2 + 1
=9
When x = 3,
y = 34 2 ] 3 g 2 + 1
= 64
The maximum value is 64 and the minimum value is 0 in the domain

2 x 3.
2.8 Exercises
1.
2.
Sketch y = x2 + x 2 for 2 x 2
and find the maximum value of y.
Sketch f ] x g = 9 x2 over the
domain 4 x 2. Hence find the
maximum and minimum values
of the curve over this domain.
3.
4.
Find the maximum value of the

curve y = x2 4x + 4 for 3 x 3.
Sketch f ] x g = 2x3 + 3x2 36x + 5
for 3 x 3, showing any
stationary points. Find the
of the function for 3 x 3.
5.
Find the maximum value of y for

the curve y = x5 3 for 2 x 1.
6.
Sketch the curve

f ] x g = 3x2 16x + 5 for 0 x 4
and find the maximum and
minimum values of the function
over this domain.
7.
Find the relative and absolute

maximum and minimum
values of the function
f ] x g = 3x4 + 4x3 12x2 3 for
2 x 2.
8.
Sketch y = x3 + 2 over the domain

3 x 3 and find its minimum
and maximum values in that
domain.
9.
Sketch y = x + 5 for 4 x 4
and find its maximum and
minimum values.
1
has no
x2
stationary points. Find the
of the curve for 3 x 3.
10. Show that y =
Problems Involving Maxima and Minima

Often a problem involves finding maximum or minimum values. For example,
a salesperson wants to maximise profit; a warehouse manager wants to
maximise storage; a driver wants to minimise petrol consumption; a farmer
wants to maximise paddock size.
PROBLEM
One disc 20 cm in diameter and one 10 cm in diameter are cut from a
disc of cardboard 30 cm in diameter. Can you find the largest disc that
can be cut from the remainder of the cardboard?
EXAMPLES
1. The equation for the expense per year (in units of ten thousand
dollars) of running a certain business is given by E = x 2 6x + 12, where
x is the number (in hundreds) of items manufactured.
(a) Find the expense of running the business if no items are
manufactured.
(b) Find the number of items needed to minimise the expense of the
business.
(c) Find the minimum expense of the business.
CONTINUED
61
62
Solution
E is the expense in units of
ten thousand dollars.
(a) When x = 0, E = 0 2 6 (0) + 12

= 12
So the expense of running the business when no items are
manufactured is 12 $10 000, or $120 000 per year.
(b)
This will give any maximum

or minimum values of E.
dE
= 2x 6
dx
dE
=0
dx
2x 6 = 0
2x = 6
x=3

i.e.
x is the number of items in

hundreds.
d2 E
=2>0
dx 2
(concave upwards)
` x = 3 gives a minimum value

So 300 items manufactured each year will give the minimum expenses.
(c) When x = 3, E = 32 6 ] 3 g + 12
=3
So the minimum expense per year is $30 000.

2. The formula for the volume of a pond is given by
V = 2h 3 12h 2 + 18h + 50, where h is the depth of the pond in metres.
Find the maximum volume of the pond.
Solution
Vl = 6h 2 24h + 18
For stationary points, Vl = 0
i.e.
6h 2 24h + 18 = 0
h 2 4h + 3 = 0
(h 1) (h 3) = 0
So h = 1 or 3
V m = 12h 24
When h = 1, V m = 12 (1) 24
= 12
<0
(concave downwards)
So h = 1 gives a maximum V.
When h = 3, V m = 12 (3) 24
= 12
>0
(concave upwards)
So h = 3 gives a minimum V.
When h = 1, V = 2 ] 1 g 3 12 ] 1 g 2 + 18 ] 1 g + 50
= 58
So the maximum volume is 58 m3.
In the above examples, the equation is given as part of the question.

However, we often need to work out an equation before we can start
answering the question. Working out the equation is often the hardest part!
EXAMPLES
1. A rectangular prism has a base with length twice its breadth. The volume
900
is to be 300 cm3. Show that the surface area is given by S = 4x2 + x .
Solution
Volume: V = lbh
= 2x x h
300 = 2x 2 h
300
=h
2x 2
(1)
Surface area:
S = 2 (lb + bh + lh)
= 2 (2x 2 + xh + 2xh)
= 2 (2x 2 + 3xh)
= 4x 2 + 6xh
Now we substitute (1) into this equation.
S = 4x 2 + 6 x $
300
2x 2
900
= 4x 2 + x
2. ABCD is a rectangle with AB = 10 cm and BC = 8 cm. Length AE = x cm
and CF = y cm.
CONTINUED
63
64
(a) Show that triangles AEB and CBF are similar.

(b) Show that xy = 80.
320
(c) Show that triangle EDF has area given by A = 80 + 5x + x .
Solution
(a) +EAB = +BCF = 90
(given)
+BFC = +EBA
(corresponding +s, AB < DC )
+BEA = +FBC
(similarly, AD < BC )
` AEB and CBF are similar (AAA)
10 x
(b) `
y =8
xy = 80
(similar triangles have sides in proportion)
(c) Side FD = y + 10 and side ED = x + 8

A=
1
bh
2
1
(y + 10) (x + 8)
2
1
(xy + 8y + 10x + 80)
2
We need to eliminate y from this equation.

xy = 80,
80
then y = x
If
80
Substituting xy = 80 and y = x into the area equation gives:
A=
=
1
(xy + 8y + 10x + 80)
2
80
1
(80 + 8 $ x + 10x + 80)
2
640
1
(160 + x + 10x)
2
320
= 80 + x + 5x
=
2.9 Exercises
1.
The area of a rectangle is to be

50 m2.
6.
A timber post with a rectangular

cross-sectional area is to be cut
out of a log with a diameter of
280 mm as shown.
Show that the equation of its

100
perimeter is given by P = 2x + x .
2.
A rectangular paddock on a
farm is to have a fence with a
120 m perimeter. Show that the
area of the paddock is given by
A = 60x x 2 .
3.
The product of two numbers is

20. Show that the sum of the
20
numbers is S = x + x .
4.
A closed cylinder is to have a

volume of 400 cm3.
(a) Show that y = 78400 x 2 .

(b) Show that the cross-sectional
area is given by A = x 78400 x 2 .
7.
A 10 cm 7 cm rectangular piece
of cardboard has equal square
corners with side x cut out and
folded up to make an open box.
Show that its surface area is

800
S = 2 r 2 + r .
5.
A 30 cm length of wire is cut into

2 pieces and each piece bent to
form a square.
Show that the volume of the box

is V = 70x 34x2 + 4x3.
8.
(a) Show that y = 30 x.

(b) Show that the total area
of the 2 squares is given by
A=
x2 30x + 450
.
8
A travel agency calculates the

expense E of organising a holiday
per person in a group of x people
as E = 200 + 400x. The cost C for
each person taking a holiday is
C = 900 100x. Show that the
profit to the travel agency on a
holiday with a group of x people
is given by P = 700x 500x 2 .
65
66
9.
Joel is 700 km north of a town,

travelling towards it at an average
speed of 75 km/h. Nick is 680 km
east of the town, travelling
towards it at 80 km/h.
Show that after t hours, the

distance between Joel and
Nick is given by
d = 952400 213800t + 12025t 2 .
10. Sean wants to swim from point

A to point B across a 500 m wide
river, then walk along the river
bank to point C. The distance
along the river bank is 7 km.
If he swims at 5 km/h and walks

at 4 km/h, show that the time
taken to reach point C is given by
t=
x2 + 0.25 7 x
.
+
5
4
When you have found the equation, you can use calculus to find the
maximum or minimum value. The process is the same as for finding stationary
points on curves.
Always check that an answer gives a maximum or minimum value. Use
the second derivative to find its concavity, or if the second derivative is too
hard to find, check the first derivative either side of this value.
EXAMPLES
1. The council wanted to make a rectangular swimming area at
the beach using a straight cliff on one side and a length of 300 m of
sharkproof netting for the other three sides. What are the dimensions of
the rectangle that encloses the greatest area?
Solution
Let the length of the rectangle be y and the width be x.
There are many differently

shaped rectangles that could
have a perimeter of 300 m.
Perimeter: 2x + y = 300 m
`
y = 300 2x
Area A = xy
= x (300 2x)
= 300x 2x 2
(1 )
7 substituting ] 1 g A
dA
= 300 4x
dx
dA
=0
dx
300 4x = 0
300 = 4x
75 = x

i.e.
d2 A
= 4 < 0
dx2
(concave downwards)
So x = 75 gives maximum A.
When x = 75, y = 300 2 (75)
= 150
So the dimensions that give the maximum area are 150 m 75 m.
2. Trinh and Soi set out from two towns. They travel on roads that meet
at right angles, and they walk towards the intersection. Trinh is initially
15 km from the intersection and walks at 3 km/h. Soi is initially 10 km
from the intersection and walks at 4 km/h.
(a) Show that their distance apart after t hours is given by
D2 = 25t2 170t + 325.
(b) Hence find how long it takes them to reach their minimum distance
apart.
(c) Find their minimum distance apart.
Solution
(a) After t hours, Trinh has walked 3t km. She is now 15 3t km from
the intersection.
After t hours, Soi has walked 4t km. He is now 10 4t km from the
intersection.
CONTINUED
67
68
By Pythagoras theorem:
D2 = ] 15 3t g 2 + ] 10 4t g 2
= 225 90t + 9t2 + 100 80t + 16t2
= 25t2 170t + 325
(b)
dD 2
= 50t 170
Dt
dD 2
dt
50t 170
50t
t
=0
i.e.
=0
= 170
= 3 .4
d2 D2
= 50 > 0
dt 2
So t = 3.4 gives minimum D 2 .
(concave upwards)
Now 0.4 60 minutes = 24 minutes

` 3.4 hours = 3 hours and 24 minutes
So Trinh and Soi are a minimum distance apart after 3 hours and
24 minutes.
(c) When t = 3.4, D 2 = 25 ] 3.4 g 2 170 (3.4) + 325
= 36
D = 36
=6
So the minimum distance apart is 6 km.
2.10 Exercises
1.
The height, in metres, of a

ball is given by the equation
h = 16t 4t 2, where t is time in
seconds. Find when the ball will
reach its maximum height, and
what the maximum height will be.
3.
The perimeter of a rectangle

is 60 m and its length is x m.
Show that the area of the
rectangle is given by the equation
A = 30x x 2 . Hence find the
maximum area of the rectangle.
2.
The cost per hour of a bike

ride is given by the formula
C = x 2 15x + 70, where x is the
distance travelled in km. Find the
distance that gives the minimum
cost.
4.
A farmer wants to make a

rectangular paddock with an area
of 4000 m2. However, fencing
costs are high and she wants the
paddock to have a minimum
perimeter.
(a) Show that the perimeter is

given by the equation
P = 2x +
A box is made from an 80 cm by

30 cm rectangle of cardboard by
cutting out 4 equal squares of
side x cm from each corner. The
edges are turned up to make an
open box.
Bill wants to put a small

rectangular vegetable garden in
his backyard using two existing
walls as part of its border. He
has 8 m of garden edging for the
border on the other two sides.
Find the dimensions of the garden
bed that will give the greatest area.
(a) Show that the volume of the

box is given by the equation
V = 4x 3 220x 2 + 2400x.
(b) Find the value of x that gives
the box its greatest volume.
(c) Find the maximum volume of
the box.
8000
x .
(b) Find the dimensions of
the rectangle that will give the
minimum perimeter, correct to
1 decimal place.
(c) Calculate the cost of fencing
the paddock, at $48.75 per metre.
5.
6.
9.
Find two numbers whose sum

is 28 and whose product is a
maximum.
7.
The difference of two numbers

is 5. Find these numbers if their
product is to be minimum.
8.
A piece of wire 10 m long is

broken into two parts, which are
bent into the shape of a rectangle
and a square as shown. Find the
dimensions x and y that make the
total area a maximum.
10. The formula for the surface

area of a cylinder is given by
S = 2 r ] r + h g, where r is the
radius of its base and h is its
height. Show that if the cylinder
holds a volume of 54 m3, the
surface area is given by the
108
equation S = 2 r 2 + r .
Hence find the radius that gives
the minimum surface area.
11. A silo in the shape of a cylinder
is required to hold 8600 m3 of
wheat.
69
70
(a) Find an equation for the

surface area of the silo in terms of
the base radius.
(b) Find the minimum surface
area required to hold this amount
of wheat, to the nearest square
metre.
12. A rectangle is cut from a circular
disc of radius 6 cm. Find the area
of the largest rectangle that can
be produced.
13. A poster consists of a photograph
bordered by a 5 cm margin. The
area of the poster is to be 400 cm2.
16. A half-pipe is to be made from

a rectangular piece of metal of
length x m. The perimeter of the
rectangle is 30 m.
(a) Find the dimensions of

the rectangle that will give the
maximum surface area.
(b) Find the height from the
ground up to the top of the halfpipe with this maximum area,
correct to 1 decimal place.
17. Find the least surface area, to the
nearest cm2, of a closed cylinder
that will hold a volume of
400 cm3.
(a) Show that the area of the

photograph is given by the
4000
equation A = 500 10x x
(b) Find the maximum area
possible for the photograph.
18. The picture frame shown below

has a border of 2 cm at the top
and bottom and 3 cm at the
sides. If the total area of the
border is to be 100 cm2, find
the maximum area of the frame.
14. The sum of the dimensions of a

box with a square base is 60 cm.
Find the dimensions that will
give the box a maximum volume.
15. A surfboard is in the shape of
a rectangle and semicircle, as
shown. The perimeter is to be
4 m. Find the maximum area
of the surfboard, correct to
2 decimal places.
19. A 3 m piece of wire is cut into

two pieces and bent around
to form a square and a circle.
Find the size of the two lengths,
correct to 2 decimal places, that
will make the total area of the
square and circle a minimum.
20. Two cars are travelling along

roads that intersect at right
angles to one another. One starts
200 km away and travels towards
the intersection at 80 kmh-1,
while the other starts at 120 km
away and travels towards the
intersection at 60 kmh-1.
Show that their distance
apart after t hours is given by
d 2 = 10 000t 2 46 400t + 54 400
and hence find their minimum
distance apart.
(a) Show that

2400 2y y
x=
.
4
(b) Show that the area of the
enclosure is given by
A=
4800y 4y2 y2
.
8
(c) Find the dimensions x and

y (to the nearest metre) that
maximises the area.
23. Points A ^ a, 0 h, B ^ 0, b h and
O ^ 0, 0 h form a triangle as shown
and AB always passes through the
point ^ 1, 2 h .
21. X is a point on the curve

y = x 2 2x + 5. Point Y lies
directly below X and is on the
curve y = 4x x 2.
y
B (0, b)
y
X
A (-a, 0)
2a
.
a1
(b) Find values of a and b that
give the minimum area of
triangle OAB.
(a) Show that b =
(a) Show that the distance d

between X and Y is given by
d = 2x 2 6x + 5.
(b) Find the minimum distance
between X and Y.
24. Grant is at point A on one side

of a 20 m wide river and needs to
get to point B on the other side
80 m along the bank as shown.
22. A park is to have a dog-walking

enclosure in the shape of a
rectangle with a semi-circle at the
end as shown, and a perimeter of
1200 m.
20 m
80 m
Grant swims to any point on the

other bank and then runs along
the side of the river to point B. If
he can swim at 7 km/h and run
at 11 km/h, find the distance he
71
72
swims (x) to minimise the time

taken to reach point B. Answer to
the nearest metre.
25. A truck travels 1500 km at an

hourly cost given by
s 2 + 9000 cents where s is the
average speed of the truck.
(a) Show that the cost for
the trip is given by
C = 1500 b s +
9000 l
.
s
(b) Find the speed that minimises

the cost of the trip.
(c) Find the cost of the trip to the
nearest dollar.
Class Challenge
Can you solve either of these problems?
1. Herons problem
One boundary of a farm is a straight river bank, and on the farm stands
a house and some distance away, a shed; each is sited away from the
river bank. Each morning the farmer takes a bucket from his house to
the river, fills it with water, and carries the water to the shed.
Find the position on the river bank that will allow him to walk the
shortest distance from house to river to shed. Further, describe how the
farmer could solve the problem on the ground with the aid of a few
stakes for sighting.
2. Lewis Carrolls problem
After a battle at least 95% of the combatants had lost a tooth, at least
90% had lost an eye, at least 80% had lost an arm, and at least 75% had
lost a leg. At least how many had lost all four?
Primitive Functions
This chapter uses differentiation to find the gradient of tangents and
stationary points of functions.
Sometimes you may know f l] x g and need to find the original function,
]
g
f x . This process is called anti-differentiation, and the original function is
called the primitive function.
EXAMPLE
Sketch the primitive function (the original function) given the derivative
function below.
Solution
Reversing what you would do to sketch the derivative function, the
parts at the x-axis have a zero gradient, so show stationary points on the
original function. There are stationary points at x1 and x2.
The parts of the graph above the x-axis show a positive gradient, so
the original function is increasing. This happens to the left of x1 and to
the right of x2.
The parts of the graph below the x-axis show a negative gradient, so
the original function is decreasing. This happens between x1 and x2.
Sketching this information gives:
CONTINUED
73
74
The only problem is, we do not have enough information to know

where the curve turns around. There are many choices of where we could
put the graph:
The primitive function gives

a family of curves.
The examples below use what we know about differentiation to find out
how to reverse this to find the primitive function.
EXAMPLES
1. Differentiate x2. Hence find a primitive function of 2x.
Solution
The derivative of x2 is 2x
` a primitive function of 2x is x2
2. Differentiate x2 + 5. Hence find a primitive function of 2x.
Solution
The derivative of x2 + 5 is 2x
` a primitive function of 2x is x2 + 5
3. Differentiate x 2 3. Hence find a primitive function of 2x.
Solution
The derivative of x2 3 is 2x
` a primitive function of 2x is x2 3
Thus 2x has many different primitive functions. In general, the primitive

of 2x is x 2 + C, where C is a constant (real number).
EXAMPLES
1. Find the primitive of x.
Solution
The derivative of x2 is 2x.
The derivative of
x2
x2
is x. So the primitive of x is
+ C.
2
2
2. Find the primitive of x2.
Solution
The derivative of x3 is 3x2.
x3
The derivative of
is x2.
3
x3
So the primitive of x2 is
+ C.
3
Continuing this pattern gives the general primitive function of x n.
dy
xn + 1
+C
n+1
dx
where C is a constant
If
= xn then y =
Proof
] n + 1 g xn + 1 1
d xn + 1
c
+ Cm =
n+1
dx n + 1
= xn
EXAMPLES
dy
= 6x2 + 8x. If the curve passes

dx
through the point ^ 1, 3 h, find the equation of the curve.
1. The gradient of a curve is given by
Solution
dy
dx
= 6x 2 + 8x
y = 6c
x3
x2
m + 8c m + C
3
2
` y = 2x 3 + 4 x 2 + C
CONTINUED
75
76
The curve passes through ^ 1, 3 h
` 3 = 2 ]1 g3 + 4 ]1 g2 + C
=2+4+C
9 = C
Equation is y = 2x 3 + 4x 2 9.
2. If f m] x g = 6x + 2 and f l] 1 g = f ] 2 g = 0, find f ] 3 g .
Solution
f m(x) = 6x + 2
f l(x) = 6 c
x2
m + 2x + C
2
= 3x 2 + 2x + C
Now f l(1) = 0
So
`
0 = 3 ] 1 g 2 + 2 (1) + C
5 = C
f l(x) = 3x2 + 2x 5
f (x) = 3 c
x3
x2
m + 2 c m 5x + C
3
2
= x 3 + x 2 5x + C
Now f ( 2) = 0
So
0 = ] 2 g 3 + ] 2 g 2 5 (2) + C
= 8 + 4 + 10 + C
6 = C
f (x) = x 3 + x 2 5x 6
f ( 3) = 3 3 + 3 2 5 ( 3) 6
= 27 + 9 15 6
= 15
2.11 Exercises
1.
Find the primitive function of

(a) 2x 3
(b) x2 + 8x + 1
(c) x5 4x3
(d) ] x 1 g 2
(e) 6
2.
Find f (x) if
(a) f l(x) = 6x 2 x
(b) f l(x) = x4 3x2 + 7
(c) f l(x) = x 2
(d) f l(x) = (x + 1) (x 3)
1
(e) f l(x) = x 2
3.
Express y in terms of x if
dy
= 5x 4 9
(a)
dx
(b)
dy
dx
= x 4 2x 2
x3
=
x2
(c)
dx 5
(e)
4.
dy
dx
dy
dx
2
x2
= x3
2x
+1
3
Find the primitive function of

(a) x
(b) x 3
1
(c) 8
x
(d) x
(e) x
5.
If
dy
dx
2
7
+ 2x
2x 2
= x3 3x2 + 5 and y = 4 when
x = 1, find an equation for y in

terms of x.
6.
7.
8.
9.
If f l(x) = 4x 7 and f (2) = 5, find

f (x) .
Given f l] x g = 3x 2 + 4x 2 and
f ( 3) = 4, find f ] 1 g.
Given that the gradient of the
tangent to a curve is given
dy
by
= 2 6x and the curve
dx
passes through ^ 2, 3 h, find the
equation of the curve.
If
dx ]
= t 3 g 2 and x = 7 when
dt
t = 0, find x when t = 4.
d2 y
2
= 8 and
dy
= 0 and
dx
dx
y = 3 when x = 1, find the
equation of y in terms of x.
10. Given
= 12x + 6 and
dy
12. If f m(x) = 6x 2 and

f l] 2 g = f ] 2 g = 7, find the
function f ] x g .
dy
(d)
d2 y
= 1 at the
dx
dx
point ^ 1, 2 h, find the equation
of the curve.
11. If
13. Given f m(x) = 5x 4, f l(0) = 3 and

f ] 1 g = 1, find f ] 2 g .
d2 y
= 2x + 1 and there is a
dx2
stationary point at (3, 2), find the
14. If
d2 y
= 8x and the
dx2
tangent at (2, 5) makes an angle
of 45 with the x-axis. Find the
15. A curve has
16. The tangent to a curve with

d2 y
= 2x 4 makes an angle
dx2
of 135 with the x-axis in the
positive direction at the point
^ 2, 4 h . Find its equation.
17. A function has a tangent parallel
to the line 4x y 2 = 0
at the point ^ 0, 2 h and
f m(x) = 12x 2 6x + 4. Find the
equation of the function.
d2 y
= 6 and the
dx2
tangent at ^ 1, 3 h is perpendicular
to the line 2x + 4y 3 = 0. Find
the equation of the curve.
18. A curve has
19. A function has f l(1) = 3 and

f (1) = 5. Evaluate f (2) given
f m] x g = 6x + 18.
d2 y
= 12x 24 and
dx2
a stationary point at ^ 1, 4 h .
Evaluate y when x = 2.
20. A curve has
77
78
Test Yourself 2
1.
Find the stationary points on the curve

y = x 3 + 6x 2 + 9x 11 and determine their
nature.
2.
Find all x-values for which the curve

y = 2x 3 7x 2 3x + 1 is concave upwards.
dy
= 6x2 + 12x 5. If the
dx
curve passes through the point (2, 3),
find the equation of the curve.
3.
A curve has
4.
If f (x) = 3x 5 2x 4 + x 3 2, find
(a) f (1)
(b) f l(1)
(c) f m] 1 g
5.
The height in metres of an object thrown

up into the air is given by h = 20t 2t 2
where t is time in seconds. Find the
maximum height that the object reaches.
6.
Find the stationary point on the curve

y = 2x 2 and determine its nature.
7.
Find the domain over which the curve

y = 5 6x 3x 2 is decreasing.
8.
For the curve y = 3x 4 + 8x 3 48x 2 + 1

(a) find any stationary points and
determine their nature
(b) sketch the curve.
9.
Find the point of inflexion on the curve

y = 2x 3 3 x 2 + 3 x 2.
10. If f m(x) = 15x + 12, and f (2) = f l(2) = 5,

find f (x) .
11. A soft drink manufacturer wants to
minimise the amount of aluminium in
its cans while still holding 375 mL of soft
drink. Given that 375 mL has a volume
of 375 cm3,
(a) show that the surface area of a can is

750
given by S = 2 r2 + r
(b) find the radius of the can that gives
the minimum surface area.
12. For the curve y = 3x 4 + 8x 3 + 6x 2,
(a) find any stationary points
(b) determine their nature
(c) sketch the curve for 3 x 3.
13. A rectangular prism with a square base is
to have a surface area of 250 cm2.
(a) Show that the volume is given by
125x x3
V=
.
2
(b) Find the dimensions that will give
the maximum volume.
14. Find all x-values for which the curve
y = 3x 2 18x + 4 is decreasing.
d2 y
= 6x + 6, and there is a stationary

dx2
point at (0, 3), find the equation of the
curve.
15. If
16. The cost to a business of manufacturing

x products a week is given by
C = x 2 300x + 9000. Find the number
of products that will give the minimum
cost each week.
17. Show that y = x 3 is monotonic
decreasing for all x 0.
18. Sketch a primitive function for each

graph.
(a)
(a) Show that the area of the garden is

1
A = x 25 x2 .
2
(b) Find the greatest possible area of the
garden bed.
20. For the curve y = x 3 + 3x 2 72x + 5,
(a) find any stationary points on the
curve and determine their nature
(b) find any points of inflexion
(c) sketch the curve.
(b)
21. Find the domain over which the

curve y = x 3 3x 2 + 7x 5 is concave
downwards.
22. A function has f l(3) = 5 and f (3) = 2. If
f m(x) = 12x 6, find the equation of the
function.
(c)
23. Find any points of inflexion on the curve

y = x 4 6x 3 + 2x + 1 .
24. Find the maximum value of the curve
y = x 3 + 3x 2 24x 1 in the domain
5 x 6.
25. A function has f l(2) < 0 and f m(2) < 0.
Sketch the shape of the function near
x = 2.
19. A 5 m length of timber is used to border

a triangular garden bed, with the other
sides of the garden against the house
walls.
79
80
Challenge Exercise 2
1.
2.
Find the first and second derivatives of

5x
.
] 4x2 + 1 g3
Sketch the curve y = x ] x 2 g3, showing
any stationary points and inflexions.
3.
Find all values of x for which the curve

y = 4x 3 21x 2 24x + 5 is increasing.
4.
Find the maximum possible area if a

straight 8 m length of fencing is placed
across a corner to enclose a triangular
space.
10. Find the radius and height, correct to

2 decimal places, of a cylinder that holds
200 cm3, if its surface area is to be a
minimum.
11. A curve passes through the point (0, 1)
and the gradient at any point is given by
] x + 3 g ] x 5 g. Find the equation of the
curve.
12. The cost of running a car at an average
v2
speed of km/h is given by c = 150 +
80
cents per hour. Find the average speed, to
the nearest km/h, at which the cost of a
500 km trip is a minimum.
13. Find the equation of a curve that is
always concave upwards with a stationary
point at (1, 2) and y-intercept 3.
5.
Find the greatest and least values of the

function f (x) = 4x 3 3x 2 18x in the
domain 2 x 3.
6.
Show that the function f (x) = 2 (5x 3)3

has a horizontal point of inflexion at
^ 0 .6 , 0 h .
7.
Two circles have radii r and s such that

r + s = 25. Show that the sum of areas of
the circles is least when r = s.
8.
The rate of change of V with respect to t

is given by
t=
9.
dV ]
= 2t 1 g 2 . If V = 5 when
dt
1
, find V when t = 3.
2
(a) Show that the curve y = x 1 has

no stationary points.
(b) Find the domain and range of the
curve.
(c) Hence sketch the curve.
14. Given f l(x) = x (x 3) (x + 1) and f (0) = 0

(a) find the equation for f (x)
(b) find any stationary points on the
function
(c) sketch the function.
15. The volume of air in a cubic room on
a submarine is given by the formula
V = 4x 3 + 27x 2 24x + 2, where x is
the side of the room in metres. Find the
dimensions of the room that will give
the maximum volume of air.
16. If f m(x) = x 9 and f l(1) = f (2) = 7,
find f (3) .
17. Given
dy
dx
1
and y = 1 when x = 4,
x
5 h2
^
find
d2 y
(a)
when x = 6
dx2
(b) y when x = 6.
18. Show that y = x n has a stationary point at

(0, 0) where n is a positive integer.
(a) If n is even, show that (0, 0) is a
minimum turning point.
(b) If n is odd, show that (0, 0) is a point
of inflexion.
19. Find the maximum possible volume if a
rectangular prism with a length twice its
breadth has a surface area of 48 cm2.
20. (a) Find the stationary point on the
curve y = x k + 1 where k is a positive
integer.
(b) What values of k give a minimum

turning point?
21. Find the minimum and maximum values
x+3
of y = 2
in the domain 2 x 2.
x 9
22. The cost of running a car at an average
V2
speed of V km/h is given by c = 100 +
75
cents per hour. Find the average speed (to
the nearest km/h) at which the cost of a
1000 km trip is a minimum.
81

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2

Minimum turning point: A local stationary point (where

Concavity: The shape of a curve as it bends around (it can

Monotonic increasing or decreasing function: A function is

Differentiation: The process of finding the gradient of a

Point of inflexion: A point at which the curve is neither

Gradient of a secant: The gradient (slope) of a line

Primitive function: The original function found by

Chapter 2 Geometrical Applications of Calculus

process of finding the gradient of a tangent to a curve. This chapter looks at

DID YOU KNOW?

Maths In Focus Mathematics HSC Course

Chapter 2 Geometrical Applications of Calculus

Maths In Focus Mathematics HSC Course

2. Find the stationary point on the parabola y = x2 6x + 3.

So the stationary point is ^ 3, 6 h.

3. Find any stationary points on the curve y = x3 48x 7.

You will use stationary points

So the stationary points are ^ 4, 135 h and ^ 4, 121 h.

Chapter 2 Geometrical Applications of Calculus

Can you find the

Find the parts of each curve

Find all values of x for which the

Find the domain over which

Find values of x for which the

Show that the function

Maths In Focus Mathematics HSC Course

Prove that y = x 3 is monotonic

Find the stationary point on the

Find all x values for which the

Find all stationary points on the

17. Sketch a function with f l] x g > 0

> 0 for all

10. Find any stationary points on the

20. Draw a sketch of a function

11. Find all values of x for which

21. A function has f (3) = 2 and

12. Find the domain over which the

22. The derivative is positive at

13. Find any values of x for which the

23. Find the stationary points on the

14. The function f ] x g = 2x 2 + px + 7

24. Differentiate y = x x + 1 . Hence

Chapter 2 Geometrical Applications of Calculus

Types of Stationary Points

Local minimum point

Local maximum point

Point of horizontal inflexion

The derivative has the

The curve is either increasing on both sides of the inflexion or it is decreasing

Maths In Focus Mathematics HSC Course

The stationary points are important to the shape of a curve. A reasonably

For stationary points,

Since the curve is increasing on both sides, (0, 0) is a point of inflexion.

Chapter 2 Geometrical Applications of Calculus

2. Find any stationary points on the curve f ] x g = 2x 3 15x 2 + 24x 7 and

` ^ 1, 4 h is a maximum stationary point

` ^ 4, 23 h is a minimum stationary point.