Q.Prove that y=(2+cosθ)4sinθ−θ is an increasing function of θ in [0,2π].
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Increasing Function Test
The Intuition: What Does "Increasing" Really Mean?
Imagine walking along the graph of a function from left to right. If the function is increasing, then as you step right (increasing x), you always move upward — your height f(x) never drops. You might stay flat briefly, but you never go down.
That's the visual idea. But we need a precise way to check it without drawing the entire graph — that's the Increasing Function Test, which uses the derivative to tell you where a function is rising.
A function f is increasing on an interval if, for any two points x1<x2 in it, f(x1)≤f(x2). With strict inequality (<), it's strictly increasing.
The Core Idea: Derivative as a Slope Detector
The derivative f′(x) gives the slope of the tangent line — the instantaneous rate of change. Positive slope means the function is rising at that instant; negative means falling. So the natural question: if the derivative is positive everywhere on an interval, does that guarantee the function is increasing on that whole interval? The answer is yes — and that's the Increasing Function Test.
The Precise Statement
Increasing Function Test
Let f be continuous on [a,b] and differentiable on (a,b).
- If f′(x)>0 for every x in (a,b), then f is strictly increasing on [a,b].
- If f′(x)≥0 for every x in (a,b), then f is increasing (non-decreasing) on [a,b].
The conditions "continuous on the closed interval" and "differentiable on the open interval" ensure there are no jumps or corners that could break the logic.
Why Does This Work? (A Quick Proof Sketch)
The proof relies on the Mean Value Theorem. For x1<x2 in [a,b], there exists some c between them such that:
f(x2)−f(x1)=f′(c)(x2−x1)
Since x2−x1>0, if f′(c)>0 the right-hand side is positive, so f(x2)>f(x1). This holds for any pair x1<x2 — exactly the definition of strictly increasing.
The converse is not true. A function can be strictly increasing even if its derivative is zero at some isolated points. Example: f(x)=x3 is strictly increasing everywhere, but f′(0)=0. The test gives a sufficient condition, not a necessary one.
How to Use It in Practice
- Compute f′(x).
- Solve f′(x)>0 — the solution intervals tell you where f is strictly increasing.
- Check endpoints if needed. …
To prove a function is increasing on an interval, show y′≥0 there.
Step 1 — Differentiate (quotient rule on the first term):
y′=(2+cosθ)24cosθ(2+cosθ)−4sinθ(−sinθ)−1.
The fraction's numerator is 8cosθ+4cos2θ+4sin2θ=8cosθ+4.
Step 2 — Combine over one denominator:
y′=(2+cosθ)28cosθ+4−(2+cosθ)2=(2+cosθ)24cosθ−cos2θ=(2+cosθ)2cosθ(4−cosθ). …
y′=(2+cosθ)2cosθ(4−cosθ)≥0 for all θ∈[0,2π], so y is increasing on that interval.
The idea
A function is increasing on an interval when its derivative is non-negative throughout. So we compute y′, simplify it to a single fraction, and check its sign on [0,2π].
Set up
y=2+cosθ4sinθ−θ.
Work the steps
- Differentiate the quotient. With u=4sinθ, v=2+cosθ, so u′=4cosθ, v′=−sinθ:
dθdvu=v2u′v−uv′=(2+cosθ)24cosθ(2+cosθ)−4sinθ(−sinθ).
The numerator is
8cosθ+4cos2θ+4sin2θ=8cosθ+4,
using sin2θ+cos2θ=1. The derivative of −θ is −1, so
y′=(2+cosθ)28cosθ+4−1.
- Combine into one fraction by writing 1=(2+cosθ)2(2+cosθ)2:
y′=(2+cosθ)28cosθ+4−(2+cosθ)2.
Expand (2+cosθ)2=4+4cosθ+cos2θ, so the numerator is
8cosθ+4−4−4cosθ−cos2θ=4cosθ−cos2θ=cosθ(4−cosθ).
Hence
y′=(2+cosθ)2cosθ(4−cosθ). …
Method: Proving Monotonicity on a Closed Interval Using the Quotient Rule and a Trig Identity
For a function combining a trigonometric fraction with a linear term (like θ), proving monotonicity on a specific closed interval combines two skills: correctly applying the quotient rule, and then using a Pythagorean identity to collapse the messy result into something whose sign is clear on that particular interval.
Steps
Step 1: Apply the quotient rule to the fractional trig term
For a term of the form b+cosθasinθ, use (vu)′=v2u′v−uv′, then differentiate the remaining linear term (like −θ) separately and subtract 1.
Step 2: Expand the numerator and apply sin2θ+cos2θ=1
The numerator from the quotient rule typically contains both a cos2θ and a sin2θ term — recognising and substituting the Pythagorean identity is what collapses the expression into a simple polynomial in cosθ alone. Skipping this step leaves an expression whose sign looks impossible to determine.
Step 3: Combine everything into a single fraction over a common denominator
Rewrite the −1 using the same denominator as the quotient-rule term, then simplify the combined numerator fully — factor it if possible.
Step 4: Determine the sign of each factor specifically on the given closed interval …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting to apply sin2θ+cos2θ=1 to simplify the numerator
Why it's wrong: After applying the quotient rule, the numerator contains both a cos2θ and a sin2θ term; without substituting the Pythagorean identity, the expression looks messy and its sign is not obviously determinable, which can make a student wrongly conclude the proof is "stuck." Correct approach: always look for sin2θ+cos2θ appearing after expanding a quotient-rule numerator involving both sine and cosine, and replace it with 1 immediately.
Mistake 2: Assuming cosθ can be negative on [0,2π] …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] The function f(x)=tan−1(sinx+cosx) is an increasing function in
(A) (4π,2π) (B) (0,2π) (C) (−2π,4π) (D) (−2π,2π)›Reveal solutionSolution
The function f(x)=tan−1(sinx+cosx) is increasing where its derivative is positive.
The derivative simplifies to 1+(sinx+cosx)2cosx−sinx, which is positive when cosx>sinx, i.e., x∈(−43π,4π) modulo 2π.
Among the given options, the interval (−2π,4π) fits, so the correct option is (C).
Concept & Intuition
We want to know where f(x)=tan−1(sinx+cosx) is increasing.
A function is increasing where its derivative is positive.
The derivative of tan−1(u) is 1+u2u′, which is always positive in denominator, so the sign of f′(x) is just the sign of u′=dxd(sinx+cosx).
Thus, the problem reduces to: Where is the derivative of sinx+cosx positive?
That derivative is cosx−sinx. So we simply need cosx>sinx.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Differentiate
f′(x)=1+(sinx+cosx)21⋅(cosx−sinx)
The denominator 1+(sinx+cosx)2 is always positive (since it’s 1 plus a square). So the sign of f′(x) is exactly the sign of cosx−sinx.
- Solve cosx−sinx>0
cosx>sinx
Divide both sides by cosx (careful with sign changes — better to use a unit circle approach).
Alternatively, rewrite as:
cosx−sinx=2cos(x+4π)
Because cosx−sinx=2(21cosx−21sinx)=2cos(x+4π).
- Inequality becomes
2cos(x+4π)>0⇒cos(x+4π)>0
Cosine is positive when its argument is in (−2π,2π) modulo 2π.
So:
−2π<x+4π<2π
Subtract 4π:
−43π<x<4π
- Match with given options
The interval (−43π,4π) is not directly listed, but we look for a subinterval that lies entirely inside it.
- Option (A): (4π,2π) — outside, since 4π is the right endpoint. …
- KCET 2022Set C-41 markMCQQ.The function f(x)=4sin3x−6sin2x+12sinx+100 is strictly (A) decreasing in [0,2π] (B) increasing in (π,23π) (C) decreasing in (2π,π) (D) decreasing in [−2π,2π]
›Reveal solutionSolution
Differentiate and factor: f′(x)=12cosx(sin2x−sinx+1), where the bracket is always positive, so f decreases exactly where cosx<0 — i.e. on (π/2,π).
Step 1 — Differentiate
f(x)=4sin3x−6sin2x+12sinx+100
Using the chain rule on each term (each is a power of sinx, whose derivative is cosx):
f′(x)=12sin2xcosx−12sinxcosx+12cosx
Step 2 — Factor out the common 12cosx
f′(x)=12cosx(sin2x−sinx+1)
This factorisation is the key move: it separates the sign into two independent pieces.
Step 3 — Show the bracket is always positive
Put t=sinx and consider g(t)=t2−t+1. Its discriminant is
D=(−1)2−4(1)(1)=1−4=−3<0
A quadratic with negative discriminant and positive leading coefficient has no real roots and is positive for every real t. (Equivalently, complete the square: t2−t+1=(t−21)2+43 ≥43>0.)
So the bracket never changes sign.
Step 4 — The sign of f′ is the sign of cosx
sign(f′(x))=sign(cosx)
Therefore:
- f is strictly increasing where cosx>0;
- f is strictly decreasing where cosx<0. …
- COMEDK 2024Set 2024-A1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] The function y=tanx−x is
(A) decreasing in (0,4π) and increasing in (4π,2π) (B) a decreasing function in (0,2π) (C) an increasing function in (0,2π) (D) increasing in (0,4π) and decreasing in (4π,2π)›Reveal solutionSolution
The monotonicity of y=tanx−x on (0,π/2) is determined by its derivative y′=sec2x−1=tan2x, which is always non‑negative and zero only at x=0. Hence the function is strictly increasing on the whole interval, making option (C) correct.
Concept & Intuition
To decide whether a function is increasing or decreasing on an interval, we look at its derivative. If the derivative is positive everywhere (except possibly at isolated points), the function is strictly increasing; if negative, it is strictly decreasing. Here, y=tanx−x is the difference between tanx and x. Since tanx grows faster than x for x>0 (its slope is sec2x>1), we expect the difference to increase. The derivative will confirm this.
Step‑by‑step reasoning
- Find the derivative
y=tanx−x⇒y′=sec2x−1.
Using the identity sec2x=1+tan2x, we can rewrite:
y′=(1+tan2x)−1=tan2x.
-
Analyze the sign of y′ on (0,π/2)
- For any x∈(0,π/2), tanx>0 (since sine and cosine are both positive, with sine > 0).
- Therefore tan2x>0 for every x in (0,π/2).
- At the endpoint x=0, tan0=0 so y′=0, but that’s a single point, not an interval.
-
Interpret the sign
Because y′>0 for all x in (0,π/2), the function is strictly increasing on the entire open interval (0,π/2). (A derivative that is zero at an isolated endpoint does not affect monotonicity on the open interval.)
-
Match with the options …
- COMEDK 2023Set 2023-E1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] f(x)=2x−tan−1x−log(x+x2+1) is monotonically increasing, when
(A) x<0 (B) x∈R−{0} (C) x∈R (D) x>0›Reveal solutionSolution
A derivative that is non-negative everywhere and zero only at an isolated point still gives a (strictly) increasing function on the whole line. Hence f is monotonically increasing for all x in R.
Concept: a differentiable function is increasing where f'(x) >= 0.
f(x) = 2x - arctan x - log(x + sqrt(x^2 + 1)).
Derivatives:
d/dx arctan x = 1/(1 + x^2)
d/dx log(x + sqrt(x^2+1)) = 1/sqrt(x^2 + 1) (this is sinh^-1 x)
So f'(x) = 2 - 1/(1 + x^2) - 1/sqrt(1 + x^2).
Put t = 1/sqrt(1 + x^2), so 0 < t <= 1 (t = 1 only at x = 0).
Then f'(x) = 2 - t^2 - t = -(t^2 + t - 2) = -(t + 2)(t - 1) = (t + 2)(1 - t). …
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-M1 markMCQQ.The least value of ' a ' such that the function x2+ax+1 is increasing on [1,2] is (A) 4 (B) 2 (C) −2 (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a quadratic to be increasing on an interval, its derivative must be non‑negative throughout; the least such a is found by checking the endpoint where the derivative is smallest, giving a≥−2, so the minimum is −2.
The key idea is that a function is increasing on an interval if its derivative is ≥0 for every point in that interval. Here f(x)=x2+ax+1 is a parabola opening upward; its derivative is linear, so the condition reduces to a simple inequality.
-
Find the derivative
f′(x)=2x+a.
For f to be increasing on [1,2], we need f′(x)≥0 for all x∈[1,2].
-
Where is the derivative smallest on [1,2]?
Since f′(x)=2x+a is linear with positive slope (2>0), it is smallest at the left endpoint x=1.
So the most restrictive condition is f′(1)≥0.
-
Set up the inequality
f′(1)=2(1)+a=2+a≥0⇒a≥−2.
-
Check the other endpoint
At x=2, f′(2)=4+a. If a≥−2, then f′(2)≥2>0, so it automatically satisfies.
Thus the condition a≥−2 is both necessary and sufficient.
-
Interpret the question …
-
- COMEDK 2025Set 2025-E1 markMCQQ.The function y=x3logx is strictly increasing function for (A) 0<x<e31 (B) x>e31 (C) x<2 (D) x<e31
›Reveal solutionSolution
To determine where y=x3logx is strictly increasing, we compute its derivative and find where it is positive. The function increases for 0<x<e1/3, so the correct option is (A).
We are given the function
y=x3logx
and asked for the interval where it is strictly increasing.
A function is strictly increasing where its derivative is positive (and not zero on any interval). So the natural plan is: differentiate, set the derivative > 0, and solve for x.
1. Differentiate using the quotient rule
Let u=logx and v=x3. Then
y′=v2u′v−uv′=x6x1⋅x3−(logx)(3x2)
Simplify the numerator:
x1⋅x3=x2
So
y′=x6x2−3x2logx=x6x2(1−3logx)=x41−3logx
2. Determine where the derivative is positive
Since x4>0 for all x>0 (the domain of logx), the sign of y′ is the sign of the numerator:
1−3logx>0⟹3logx<1⟹logx<31
Exponentiate both sides:
x<e1/3
Also, recall the domain: x>0 because logx is defined only for positive x.
Thus y′>0 exactly when
0<x<e1/3
3. Interpret the result
This means the function is strictly increasing on (0,e1/3) and strictly decreasing for x>e1/3.
Now check the options:
- (A) 0<x<e1/3 — matches exactly. …
- COMEDK 2026Set 2026-A1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=x3+23x2+3x+3, then f(x) is (A) Even function (B) Decreasing function (C) Increasing function (D) Odd function
›Reveal solutionSolution
The function f(x)=x3+23x2+3x+3 is strictly increasing for all real x because its derivative is always positive. The correct option is (C).
Why this approach works
We need to decide whether f(x) is even, odd, increasing, or decreasing.
- Even/odd are symmetry properties: even means f(−x)=f(x); odd means f(−x)=−f(x).
- Increasing/decreasing are monotonicity properties: we check the sign of the derivative f′(x). If f′(x)>0 for all x, the function is strictly increasing; if f′(x)<0 for all x, it is strictly decreasing.
The fastest path is to test symmetry first (it’s quick), then check the derivative.
Step-by-step reasoning
- Test for evenness Compute f(−x):
f(−x)=(−x)3+23(−x)2+3(−x)+3=−x3+23x2−3x+3
Compare with f(x)=x3+23x2+3x+3.
They are not equal (signs on x3 and 3x differ), so f is not even.
- Test for oddness For oddness we need f(−x)=−f(x). Compute −f(x):
−f(x)=−x3−23x2−3x−3
This is not equal to f(−x)=−x3+23x2−3x+3 (the x2 and constant terms differ in sign). So f is not odd.
TipA quick check: an odd function must have f(0)=0. Here f(0)=3=0, so it cannot be odd. Similarly, an even function would have f(1)=f(−1), but f(1)=1+1.5+3+3=8.5 and f(−1)=−1+1.5−3+3=0.5, so not even.
- Find the derivative
f′(x)=3x2+3x+3=3(x2+x+1)
- Analyze the sign of f′(x) …
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