Q.The function f(x)=tanx−x:
(A) always increases
(B) always decreases
(C) never increases
(D) sometimes increases and sometimes decreases
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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. …
The key idea is monotonicity of trigonometric functions — we check the sign of f′(x).
Step 1: Differentiate f(x)=tanx−x:
f′(x)=sec2x−1.
Step 2: Use the identity sec2x=1+tan2x:
f′(x)=(1+tan2x)−1=tan2x. …
The function f(x)=tanx−x is always increasing on every interval where it is defined (i.e., where tanx is defined), because its derivative f′(x)=sec2x−1=tan2x≥0 and is zero only at isolated points. The correct option is (A).
Why monotonicity? The core idea
To decide whether a function "always increases," "always decreases," or does something else, we look at its derivative. If f′(x)≥0 everywhere (and not identically zero on any interval), the function is non-decreasing — and if it's strictly positive except at isolated points, the function is strictly increasing. The same logic applies for decreasing with f′(x)≤0.
Here, f(x)=tanx−x. The derivative is straightforward, but we must be careful about the domain: tanx is undefined at x=2π+nπ, so we consider each continuous interval separately.
Step-by-step solution
- Find the derivative
f′(x)=dxd(tanx)−dxd(x)=sec2x−1.
- Simplify using a trigonometric identity Recall that sec2x=1+tan2x. Therefore:
f′(x)=(1+tan2x)−1=tan2x.
f′(x)=tan2x
- Analyze the sign of f′(x) The square of any real number is always non-negative. So:
tan2x≥0for all x where tanx is defined.
Hence f′(x)≥0 on every interval of continuity.
- Where is f′(x)=0? tan2x=0 exactly when tanx=0, i.e., at x=nπ (integer n). These are isolated points — they do not form an interval. Between these points, tan2x>0. …
Method: Proving Strict Monotonicity Using a Trigonometric Identity
Apply this when a derivative expression can be simplified into a perfect square (or similarly always-nonnegative form) using a standard trig identity, to prove a function always increases or always decreases.
Steps
Step 1: Differentiate the function normally.
Apply the standard derivative rules — here dxdtanx=sec2x — to get the raw derivative expression.
Step 2: Rewrite the derivative using a known identity to reveal a squared (always non-negative) term.
Common identities like sec2x=1+tan2x let you simplify a derivative that doesn't look obviously signed into one that clearly is:
f′(x)=sec2x−1=tan2x.
Step 3: Argue that a squared quantity is never negative.
Since any real number squared is ≥0, the rewritten derivative is ≥0 everywhere it is defined. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Thinking f′(x)=0 at some points means the function is constant there.
Why it's wrong: a zero derivative at isolated, separated points (not on a whole interval) does not make the function constant — it is flat only for an instant and continues increasing immediately afterward. Correct approach: check whether f′(x)=0 holds on an entire interval or only at scattered points; only the former implies a constant piece.
Mistake 2: Ignoring the domain restrictions of tanx. …
- 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 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 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 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 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. …
- 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 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. …
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