Q.(a) Find the sub intervals in which f(x)=cot−1(sinx+cosx), x∈(0,π) is increasing and decreasing.
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Part (a)Concept understanding — Derivative Sign Analysis
Derivative Sign Analysis: What the Slope Tells You
Imagine walking along a hilly road — sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill, occasionally flat. The derivative at any point is simply the slope of the road under your feet at that instant.
Derivative sign analysis figures out where a function is increasing, where it is decreasing, and where it has flat spots (critical points) — all from the sign of its derivative.
The Intuition First
If f′(x) is positive, the function is increasing — the graph rises as you move right. If f′(x) is negative, it is decreasing. If f′(x)=0, there is a horizontal tangent — a potential peak, valley, or flat inflection.
The key: a single point tells you little; you look at intervals. If f′(x)>0 for all x in (a,b), the function is strictly increasing on that whole interval. Same logic for negative.
The analysis is local — it describes behaviour on intervals, not isolated points. A zero derivative at a single point doesn't guarantee a max or min; check the sign change across that point.
The Precise Statement
Let f be differentiable on an open interval I. Then:
- If f′(x)>0 for all x in I, then f is strictly increasing on I.
- If f′(x)<0 for all x in I, then f is strictly decreasing on I.
- If f′(x)=0 for all x in I, then f is constant on I.
Points where f′(x)=0 (or where f′ does not exist) are critical points — the candidates for local maxima and minima.
If f′(x)>0 on (a,b)⟹f increasing on (a,b)
If f′(x)<0 on (a,b)⟹f decreasing on (a,b)
How to Perform It (Step-by-Step)
- Find the derivative f′(x).
- Find critical points: solve f′(x)=0 and check where f′(x) is undefined (but f is defined).
- Plot these on a number line — they split the domain into intervals.
- Pick a test point inside each interval and evaluate f′; only the sign matters.
- Record the sign in each interval and interpret: + means increasing, – means decreasing.
A Concrete Example
Take f(x)=x3−3x.
Step 1: f′(x)=3x2−3=3(x−1)(x+1).
Step 2: Critical points: x=−1 and x=1.
Step 3: Intervals: (−∞,−1), (−1,1), (1,∞).
Step 4: Test points:
- x=−2: f′(−2)=3(4−1)=9>0.
- x=0: f′(0)=−3<0.
- x=2: f′(2)=9>0.
Step 5: So f increases on (−∞,−1), decreases on (−1,1), increases on (1,∞). Thus x=−1 is a local maximum (sign changes + to –), and x=1 is a local minimum (– to +). …
Part (b)Concept understanding — Optimization Word Problem
Optimization Word Problems
Imagine planning a garden with 40 metres of fencing and wanting the largest rectangular area. A long, thin rectangle wastes space; a square feels roomier; somewhere in between lies the best shape. That is an optimisation problem — a fixed resource and a quantity to make as large (or as small) as possible.
Every optimisation word problem has the same skeleton: the best outcome — maximum area, minimum cost, largest volume, shortest time — under a constraint — limited material, a fixed budget, a given perimeter.
The Plan of Attack
The problem gives you a story, not a graph. Your job is to turn it into a single-variable function and find its peak or valley:
- Name the quantity to optimise — call it Q, and write it using variables.
- Find the constraint — a relation between those variables (e.g. "perimeter =40").
- Reduce to one variable — use the constraint to eliminate the rest.
- Differentiate — solve Q′(x)=0 to find the critical points.
- Confirm — use Q′′(x)<0 for a maximum or Q′′(x)>0 for a minimum.
- Answer the question asked — give the actual dimensions/cost, not just x.
In board exams these problems almost always reduce to a quadratic or cubic. Once Q(x) is written, the calculus is mechanical.
The Garden, Worked
40 m of fencing encloses a rectangle; maximise the area.
- Objective: A=lw.
- Constraint: 2l+2w=40, so l+w=20.
- Reduce: w=20−l, giving A(l)=l(20−l)=20l−l2.
- Differentiate: A′(l)=20−2l=0⟹l=10.
- Confirm: A′′(l)=−2<0, a maximum.
So l=w=10 m — a 10 m × 10 m square.
A common slip: solving A′(l)=0 and stopping. Always check max vs min, and answer in the units asked.
The Common Families
| Problem type | Typical objective | Typical constraint |
|--------------|-------------------|--------------------| …
Part (a) — Increasing / decreasing intervals
For f(x)=cot−1(sinx+cosx), differentiate with u=sinx+cosx, dudcot−1u=1+u2−1 and u′=cosx−sinx:
f′(x)=1+(sinx+cosx)2−(cosx−sinx)=2+sin2xsinx−cosx.
Since 1≤2+sin2x≤3>0, the sign of f′ is the sign of sinx−cosx. On (0,π) this is zero only at x=4π:
- (0,4π): cosx>sinx⇒f′<0 (decreasing), …
(a) f′(x)=2+sin2xsinx−cosx; f is decreasing on (0,4π) and increasing on (4π,π). (b) The rectangle giving the largest cylinder is 12 cm×6 cm.
Part (a) — Monotonicity of f(x)=cot−1(sinx+cosx) on (0,π)
Differentiate. With u=sinx+cosx and dudcot−1u=1+u2−1, and u′=cosx−sinx,
f′(x)=1+(sinx+cosx)2−1(cosx−sinx)=1+(sinx+cosx)2sinx−cosx.
Simplify the denominator: (sinx+cosx)2=1+sin2x, so 1+(sinx+cosx)2=2+sin2x. Thus
f′(x)=2+sin2xsinx−cosx.
Sign of f′. Because −1≤sin2x≤1, the denominator satisfies 1≤2+sin2x≤3 — always positive. So signf′(x)=sign(sinx−cosx).
Critical point. sinx−cosx=0⇒tanx=1⇒x=4π in (0,π).
Test the sub-intervals.
- On (0,4π): cosx>sinx, so sinx−cosx<0⇒f′(x)<0 — f is decreasing. …
- CBSE 2026Set V11 markMCQQ.Statement I : The function f(x)=x2 is decreasing in the interval (0,∞) Statement II : Any function y=f(x) is decreasing if dxdy<0. Which of the following is correct?(a) Both the Statements I and II are true(b) Both the Statements I and II are false(c) Statement I is true and Statement II is false(d) Statement I is false and Statement II is true
›Reveal solutionSolution
Statement I is false and Statement II is true, so the answer is (d).
Statement I: For f(x)=x2, f′(x)=2x. On (0,∞) we have f′(x)=2x>0, so f is increasing there, not decreasing. False. …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markMCQQ.Let f(x)=∫ex(x−1)(x−2)dx. Then write the interval in which f(x) decreases.(a) (−∞,−2)(b) (−2,−1)(c) (1,2)(d) (2,+∞)
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since f(x)=∫ex(x−1)(x−2)dx, we get f′(x)=ex(x−1)(x−2); f decreases where f′(x)<0, i.e. on (1,2).
By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, if f(x)=∫ex(x−1)(x−2)dx, then
f′(x)=ex(x−1)(x−2)
A function decreases on an interval where its derivative is negative: f′(x)<0.
Since ex>0 for every real x, the sign of f′(x) is entirely determined by the sign of (x−1)(x−2):
- For x<1: both factors negative ⇒ product positive ⇒f′(x)>0. …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.(Continuing the aluminium-box case study of Q.38) What will be the dimensions of the largest box?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute the optimal square side x=32 m (found by maximising the volume function) into the length, breadth and height expressions.
From the case study, cutting a square of side x from each corner of the 3 m×8 m sheet and folding up the sides gives a box of:
- Length =(8−2x) m
- Breadth =(3−2x) m
- Height =x m
Maximising V(x)=x(3−2x)(8−2x)=4x3−22x2+24x using V′(x)=12x2−44x+24=0 (i.e. 3x2−11x+6=0) gives roots x=3 or x=32. Since 0<x<1.5 is required for the box to be valid, the admissible root is x=32, and V′′(32)=−28<0 confirms this is the maximum.
Substituting x=32:
Length=8−2(32)=8−34=320 m …
- CBSE 2026Set ANNUAL1 markQ.(Continuing the aluminium-box case study of Q.38) What will be the side of the square removed to form the largest box?
›Reveal solutionSolution
The optimal square side is the critical point of the volume function that lies in the valid domain and satisfies the second-derivative maximum test.
For a square of side x removed from each corner of the 3 m×8 m sheet, the box volume is:
V(x)=x(3−2x)(8−2x)=4x3−22x2+24x,0<x<1.5
Differentiating and setting V′(x)=0:
V′(x)=12x2−44x+24=0⟹3x2−11x+6=0
x=611±121−72=611±7⟹x=3 or x=32
Since the breadth (3−2x) must stay positive, only x<1.5 is valid, so x=3 is rejected and x=32 is the only admissible critical point.
Confirming it is a maximum: …
- CBSE 2025Set 65/4/11 markMCQQ.The values of λ so that f(x)=sinx−cosx−λx+C decreases for all real values of x are : (A) 1<λ<2 (B) λ≥1 (C) λ≥2 (D) λ<1
›Reveal solutionSolution
A function decreases everywhere when its derivative is non-positive for all x. Here f′(x)=cosx+sinx−λ must satisfy cosx+sinx≤λ for all x, which requires λ≥2 (the maximum of cosx+sinx).
A function decreases for all real x when its rate of change is never positive. This translates to the condition f′(x)≤0 for all x∈R. The question asks us to find which values of the parameter λ enforce this condition.
The key insight is that we need to understand the range of the trigonometric expression in the derivative, then choose λ large enough to dominate it everywhere.
Finding the derivative
- Differentiate f(x)=sinx−cosx−λx+C:
f′(x)=cosx+sinx−λ
- For f to be decreasing everywhere, we need:
f′(x)≤0for all x∈R
This means:
cosx+sinx−λ≤0
cosx+sinx≤λfor all x
Finding the maximum of cosx+sinx
- The condition cosx+sinx≤λ for all x is equivalent to requiring:
λ≥maxx∈R(cosx+sinx)
- To find this maximum, we can express the sum as a single sinusoid. Using the identity:
cosx+sinx=2sin(x+4π)
›Proof
Derivation of the identity:
We write cosx+sinx=Rsin(x+ϕ) for some amplitude R and phase ϕ.
Expanding: Rsin(x+ϕ)=R(sinxcosϕ+cosxsinϕ)=Rcosϕ⋅sinx+Rsinϕ⋅cosx
Comparing coefficients:
- Coefficient of sinx: Rcosϕ=1
- Coefficient of cosx: Rsinϕ=1
Squaring and adding: R2(cos2ϕ+sin2ϕ)=1+1=2, so R=2.
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.A gardener plans to plant flowers in a rectangular flower bed in such a way that a rectangle is inscribed in the semi-circular field (as shown in the figure). Radius of the semi-circular field is 30 m. Let the length of the rectangle be PQ = x m. Based on above information answer the following: What will be the breadth of the rectangular flower bed in terms of x?
›Reveal solutionSolution
The rectangle's top corners lie on the semicircle of radius 30, so the Pythagorean relation between half the length and the breadth gives the breadth as a function of x.
Place the centre O of the semicircle at the origin, with the diameter along the x-axis. Since the rectangle PQRS is symmetric about O with top side PQ=x, the top corners P,Q are at horizontal distance x/2 from O. Let the breadth (height of the rectangle) be b. …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.A gardener plans to plant flowers in a rectangular flower bed in such a way that a rectangle is inscribed in the semi-circular field (as shown in the figure). Radius of the semi-circular field is 30 m. Let the length of the rectangle be PQ = x m. Based on above information answer the following: What will be the area of rectangular region as a function of x?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Area = length × breadth, using the breadth found in terms of x.
The rectangle has length PQ=x and breadth b=900−x2/4 (from the semicircle constraint). So the area is …
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.A gardener plans to plant flowers in a rectangular flower bed in such a way that a rectangle is inscribed in the semi-circular field (as shown in the figure). Radius of the semi-circular field is 30 m. Let the length of the rectangle be PQ = x m. Based on above information answer the following: Gardener wants maximum area for the rectangular flower bed. For this to happen, what will be the value of x?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Maximize A(x)2 (equivalent and algebraically simpler) by setting its derivative to zero.
From A(x)=x900−x2/4, consider A2=x2(900−4x2)=900x2−4x4 (maximizing A2 maximizes A since A≥0).
dxd(A2)=1800x−x3=x(1800−x2)
Setting this to zero: x=0 (rejected, gives zero area) or x2=1800⇒x=1800=302.
…
- CBSE 2025Set ANNUAL1 markQ.A gardener plans to plant flowers in a rectangular flower bed in such a way that a rectangle is inscribed in the semi-circular field (as shown in the figure). Radius of the semi-circular field is 30 m. Let the length of the rectangle be PQ = x m. Based on above information answer the following: What will be the area of remaining field (in sq. m) after having the flower bed of maximum area?
›Reveal solutionSolution
Subtract the maximum rectangle area from the total semicircular field area.
Total area of the semicircular field: 21πr2=21π(30)2=450π sq. m.
At maximum, x=302, so breadth b=900−4(302)2=900−41800=900−450=450=152.
…
- CBSE 2024Set 65/2/11 markMCQQ.The function f(x)=x3−3x2+12x−18 is: (A) strictly decreasing on R (B) strictly increasing on R (C) neither strictly increasing nor strictly decreasing on R (D) strictly decreasing on (−∞,0)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The derivative f′(x)=3x2−6x+12 is always positive (its discriminant is negative and leading coefficient positive), so f(x) is strictly increasing on R. The correct option is (B).
The core question here is about monotonicity — whether a function is always increasing, always decreasing, or neither. For a polynomial, the sign of its derivative tells us everything. If the derivative is positive everywhere, the function is strictly increasing; if negative everywhere, strictly decreasing; if it changes sign, the function is neither.
Let’s see what f′(x) looks like.
- Find the derivative. f(x)=x3−3x2+12x−18 Differentiating term by term:
f′(x)=3x2−6x+12
- Analyze the sign of f′(x). This is a quadratic: 3x2−6x+12. To check if it ever becomes negative or zero, compute its discriminant:
D=(−6)2−4⋅3⋅12=36−144=−108
Since D<0, the quadratic has no real roots — it never touches or crosses the x-axis.
- What does a negative discriminant mean for sign? The leading coefficient 3>0, so the parabola opens upward. A quadratic that opens upward and has no real roots is always positive. Therefore, f′(x)>0 for every real x. …
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markQ.[Case study] Let a cone be inscribed in a sphere of radius R. The height and radius of the cone are h and r respectively; x denotes the distance from the sphere's centre O to the centre of the cone's base. Write the relation between r and R in terms of x.
›Reveal solutionSolution
r2=R2−x2.
From the figure, O is the sphere's centre, C is the centre of the cone's circular base, OC=x, CA=r (radius of the cone's base), and OA=R (a radius of the sphere, since A lies on the sphere).
…
- CBSE 2024Set ANNUAL1 markQ.[Case study, same setup as above — cone of height h, radius r inscribed in a sphere of radius R, with x the distance from the sphere's centre to the cone's base] Write the volume V of the cone in terms of R and x.
›Reveal solutionSolution
V=3π(R+x)2(R−x).
From the figure, the cone's height is h=R+x (from the base at C up to the apex D at the top of the sphere), and from the previous part, r2=R2−x2.
Volume of a cone: V=31πr2h. …
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