Q.Show that f(x)=tan−1(sinx+cosx) is an increasing function in (0,4π).
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Monotonicity of Trigonometric Functions
The trigonometric functions rise and fall in a repeating pattern, so unlike a polynomial they are not monotonic over the whole real line — but on each piece of a period they are strictly increasing or strictly decreasing. Derivatives pin down exactly which piece is which.
The Idea
Picture the unit circle. As the angle x grows, sinx (the height) climbs from −1 up to 1 and back down, while cosx (the horizontal coordinate) does the same shifted by a quarter turn. Because the motion reverses at the top and bottom, each function alternates between increasing and decreasing stretches.
Sine
dxdsinx=cosx, so the sign of cosx decides the monotonicity of sinx:
- cosx>0 on (−2π,2π), so sinx is strictly increasing there.
- cosx<0 on (2π,23π), so sinx is strictly decreasing there.
This pattern repeats every 2π.
Cosine
dxdcosx=−sinx, so the sign of −sinx governs cosx:
- On (0,π), sinx>0, hence −sinx<0: cosx is strictly decreasing.
- On (π,2π), sinx<0, hence −sinx>0: cosx is strictly increasing.
Tangent
dxdtanx=sec2x>0 wherever it is defined. So tanx is strictly increasing on every interval (−2π+nπ, 2π+nπ) between its vertical asymptotes — but it does not carry that increase across an asymptote, so it is not monotonic on the whole line. …
Concept: Monotonicity of Trigonometric Functions — we check the sign of f′(x) in the given interval.
Step 1: Differentiate f(x).
f′(x)=1+(sinx+cosx)21⋅(cosx−sinx)
Step 2: The denominator 1+(sinx+cosx)2>0 for all x. So the sign of f′(x) depends only on cosx−sinx. …
Since tan−1 is strictly increasing, we only need to show that g(x)=sinx+cosx increases on (0,π/4). Its derivative g′(x)=cosx−sinx>0 on that interval, so f is increasing. The function is increasing on (0,4π).
The core idea here is monotonicity of composite functions. If an outer function is strictly increasing, then the composite inherits the monotonicity of the inner function. This is a powerful shortcut — instead of differentiating the whole mess, we can focus on the simpler part.
Here, f(x)=tan−1(sinx+cosx). The outer function tan−1 (or arctan) is strictly increasing on R — its derivative 1+x21 is always positive. So f will increase exactly when its inner function g(x)=sinx+cosx increases.
Monotonicity of composite functions:
If h is strictly increasing, then h(g(x)) is increasing iff g(x) is increasing.
So the problem reduces to: Show g(x)=sinx+cosx is increasing on (0,π/4).
Let's work through it.
-
Find the derivative of g.
g′(x)=cosx−sinx.
This is straightforward — derivative of sinx is cosx, derivative of cosx is −sinx.
-
Analyse the sign of g′(x) on (0,π/4).
On this interval, both cosx and sinx are positive. But which is larger?
At x=0: cos0=1, sin0=0, so cosx>sinx.
At x=π/4: cos(π/4)=sin(π/4)=22, so they are equal.
Since cosx decreases and sinx increases on (0,π/2), the difference cosx−sinx is positive for x<π/4 and zero at x=π/4. …
Method: Monotonicity of a Composite Function via the Sign of the Derivative
This method proves a function is increasing or decreasing on an interval by differentiating once and analysing the sign of a single, simpler factor — the standard approach whenever the function is built from an outer function whose own derivative is always positive, wrapped around a simpler inner expression.
Steps
Step 1: Differentiate using the Chain Rule
Write the function as a composition, f(x)=h(g(x)), and differentiate:
f′(x)=h′(g(x))⋅g′(x)
For h(u)=tan−1u, recall h′(u)=1+u21 — this factor is always positive, no matter what u is.
Step 2: Isolate the factor that actually controls the sign
Since h′(g(x))>0 always, the sign of f′(x) depends entirely on the sign of g′(x) (the derivative of the inner expression). This is the key simplification: you don't need to analyse the whole messy expression for f′(x) — only the simpler factor.
Step 3: Determine the sign of that factor on the given interval …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Differentiating f(x)=tan−1(sinx+cosx) directly and losing track of the sign
A student who differentiates the whole composite in one shot gets f′(x)=1+(sinx+cosx)2cosx−sinx, and then sometimes stops at the numerator without checking whether the denominator could ever be zero or negative. Why it's wrong: skipping the denominator check leaves the sign argument incomplete, even though 1+(anything)2>0 always holds. Correct approach: explicitly state the denominator is 1 plus a square, hence always positive, so the sign of f′(x) depends purely on cosx−sinx — that one line is what actually proves the claim.
Mistake 2: Asserting cosx>sinx on (0,4π) without justifying it …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.If the function y=sinx(1+cosx) is defined in the interval [−π,π], then y is strictly increasing in the interval (A) (−π,−3π)∪(3π,π) (B) (6π,2π) (C) (−3π,3π) (D) (−π,−6π)∪(6π,π)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate, factor the resulting quadratic in cosx, and find where it is strictly positive on [−π,π]. Answer: (−3π,3π).
Concept and Intuition
A function is strictly increasing exactly where its derivative is strictly positive. Since y is built from sinx and cosx, differentiating and rewriting everything in terms of cosx (using sin2x=1−cos2x) turns the sign question into a simple quadratic-inequality problem.
Step-by-Step Solution
- y=sinx+sinxcosx.
- y′=cosx+(cos2x−sin2x)=cosx+cos2x−(1−cos2x)=2cos2x+cosx−1.
- Factor: let u=cosx. 2u2+u−1=(2u−1)(u+1).
- For x∈[−π,π], u=cosx∈[−1,1], so u+1≥0, equal to 0 only at x=±π (measure zero, irrelevant to an open interval of increase).
- So the sign of y′ matches the sign of (2u−1) except at the single endpoint points: y′>0⟺u>21⟺cosx>21. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.f(x)=sinx+cosx, g(x)=x2−1 then g(f(x)) is invertible if (A) 4−π≤x≤4π (B) 2−π≤x≤0 (C) 2−π≤x≤π (D) 0≤x≤2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
g(f(x)) simplifies to sin2x; it is invertible only on an interval where sin2x is
monotonic, which is x∈[−π/4,π/4].
Concept and Intuition
A function is invertible on a domain only if it is one-one there (for a continuous function,
this means strictly monotonic). sinθ itself is monotonic (increasing) only on
[−π/2,π/2] per period; the same logic applies to sin2x but with the argument 2x
restricted to that interval.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Simplify g(f(x))=f(x)2−1=(sinx+cosx)2−1.
- Expand: (sinx+cosx)2=sin2x+cos2x+2sinxcosx=1+sin2x.
- So g(f(x))=1+sin2x−1=sin2x.
- sinθ is one-one and increasing precisely for θ∈[−π/2,π/2].
- Setting θ=2x: −π/2≤2x≤π/2⇒−π/4≤x≤π/4. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If m and M are the absolute minimum and absolute maximum values of the function f(x)=22sinx−tanx in the interval [0,π/3], then m+M= (A) −1 (B) 0 (C) 1 (D) 2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find the interior critical point via f′(x)=0, then compare its value against
both endpoints of the closed interval to identify the true absolute max and
min: m+M=0+1=1.
Concept and Intuition
On a closed, bounded interval, the absolute extrema of a differentiable
function occur either at a critical point (where f′=0) or at an endpoint —
so the standard method is to find all critical points inside the interval and
compare f's value there against f at both endpoints.
Step-by-Step Solution
- f(x)=22sinx−tanx, so f′(x)=22cosx−sec2x.
- Set f′(x)=0: 22cosx=sec2x=cos2x1⇒22cos3x=1⇒cos3x=221=2−3/2.
- So cosx=2−1/2=21⇒x=4π, which is inside [0,π/3] (since π/4≈0.785<π/3≈1.047).
- Evaluate at all three candidates: f(0)=0−0=0. f(π/4)=22⋅22−tan4π=2−1=1. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-08-AN1 markMCQQ.If 0<x<2π, then (A) π2>xsinx (B) π2<xsinx (C) xsinx>1 (D) 2<xsinx
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests Jordan's inequality (concavity of sinx on (0,π/2)): π2<xsinx<1 there, so the answer is (B).
Concept and Intuition
sinx is concave down on (0,π/2) because dx2d2sinx=−sinx<0 there. A concave function lies above any chord joining two points on its graph (between those points). The chord from (0,sin0)=(0,0) to (2π,sin2π)=(2π,1) has slope π/2−01−0=π2, i.e. the line y=π2x. Concavity forces sinx above this line strictly in between.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Consider g(x)=sinx−π2x on [0,π/2].
- g(0)=0 and g(2π)=1−1=0.
- g′′(x)=−sinx<0 for 0<x<π/2, so g is strictly concave there, meaning g lies strictly above the straight line joining its zero endpoints — i.e. g(x)>0 for 0<x<π/2.
- Hence sinx>π2x⇒xsinx>π2 for all x strictly between 0 and π/2. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=3sinx−cosx−2ax+b decreases for all x∈R, then (A) a≤1 (B) a≥1 (C) a≤21 (D) a≥21
›Reveal solutionSolution
A function is decreasing everywhere exactly when its derivative is ≤0 everywhere; converting the trig part to a single sinusoid lets us pin down the worst case, giving a≥1.
Concept and Intuition
For f to decrease over the whole real line, its instantaneous slope f′(x) must never be positive — not just on average, but at every single x. Since f′(x) contains an oscillating trigonometric part plus a constant shift −2a, the constant must be large enough to push even the trig part's peak down to zero or below.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Differentiate: f′(x)=3cosx−(−sinx)−2a=3cosx+sinx−2a.
- Write 3cosx+sinx as Rsin(x+ϕ): here R=(3)2+12=2, so 3cosx+sinx=2sin(x+3π).
- So f′(x)=2sin(x+3π)−2a.
- We need f′(x)≤0 for every x, i.e. 2sin(x+π/3)≤2a for every x. …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-20-FN1 markMCQQ.If x=sin(2Tan−12), y=cos(2Tan−13), z=sec(3Tan−14) then ________ (A) x<y<z (B) y<z<x (C) z<x<y (D) z<y<x
›Reveal solutionSolution
Evaluating each expression via its inverse-tangent triangle gives x=0.8, y=−0.8, z≈−1.49, so z<y<x.
Concept and Intuition
For θ=Tan−1k, we can read sinθ,cosθ off a right triangle with opposite k, adjacent 1, hypotenuse 1+k2. Then multiple-angle formulas convert 2θ or 3θ expressions into pure numbers, which can then be directly compared.
Step-by-Step Solution
- For x=sin(2Tan−12): with tanϕ=2, sinϕ=52,cosϕ=51. Then x=2sinϕcosϕ=2⋅52⋅51=54=0.8.
- For y=cos(2Tan−13): with tanψ=3, sinψ=103,cosψ=101. Then y=cos2ψ−sin2ψ=101−109=−0.8.
- For z=sec(3Tan−14): with tanχ=4, cosχ=171. Using cos3χ=4cos3χ−3cosχ: cos3χ=17174−173=17174−51≈−0.6706. …
- AP EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-07-FN1 markMCQQ.The set of all x for which sinx≤x is (A) (0,2π) (B) (−2π,π) (C) (−2π,0) (D) (−2π,2π)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since g(x)=x−sinx is non-decreasing and zero at x=0, sinx≤x holds precisely for x≥0; of the given intervals, only (0,π/2) consists entirely of such x.
Concept and Intuition
Comparing x and sinx is a classic monotonicity argument: define g(x)=x−sinx. Its derivative g′(x)=1−cosx is always ≥0 (since cosx≤1), so g never decreases. Because g(0)=0−sin0=0, moving right from 0 keeps g≥0 (so x≥sinx), while moving left from 0 makes g≤0 (so x≤sinx, i.e. sinx≥x). So the inequality sinx≤x holds exactly on x≥0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let g(x)=x−sinx. Then g′(x)=1−cosx≥0 for all real x (equality only at isolated points x=2kπ), so g is (weakly) increasing throughout R.
- g(0)=0.
- For x≥0: since g is non-decreasing and g(0)=0, we get g(x)≥0, i.e. x≥sinx, i.e. sinx≤x. This holds for the entire ray x≥0.
- For x<0: g(x)≤g(0)=0, i.e. x≤sinx, i.e. sinx≥x — the reverse inequality, so sinx≤x fails (except possibly at isolated boundary points). …
- AP EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-25-FN1 markMCQQ.The larger of cos(logθ) and log(cosθ) if e−π/2<θ<π/2 is (A) cos(logθ) (B) log(cosθ) (C) None of function is larger (D) One of the two function is undefined on domain even to compare
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both expressions are well-defined throughout θ∈(e−π/2,π/2), and checking the domain shows cos(logθ) is always the larger of the two.
Concept and Intuition
Since θ ranges over positive values less than π/2, cosθ stays positive so log(cosθ) is a well-defined (and always ≤0, since cosθ≤1) real number. Meanwhile logθ ranges over (−π/2,log(π/2)) as θ ranges over the given interval, so cos(logθ) stays non-negative throughout most of the interval (since the argument of cosine stays within (−π/2,something<π/2) roughly). Comparing the two at representative points settles which is larger.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Check both functions are defined: θ>0 makes logθ real; θ<π/2 makes cosθ>0, so log(cosθ) is real (rules out option D).
- Evaluate at θ=1: log1=0, so cos(log1)=cos0=1. Also cos1≈0.540, so log(cos1)≈−0.616. Here 1>−0.616.
- Evaluate near the lower endpoint θ→e−π/2≈0.208: logθ→−π/2, so cos(logθ)→0. Meanwhile cos(0.208)≈0.978, so log(cosθ)≈−0.022. Here 0>−0.022. …
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