Q.Let f:R→R be defined by f(x)=2x+cosx, then f:
(A) has a minimum at x=π
(B) has a maximum at x=0
(C) is a decreasing function
(D) is an increasing function
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Monotonicity of Trigonometric Functions
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: check the sign of f′(x) over R.
- Differentiate: f′(x)=2−sinx.
- Since −1≤sinx≤1, we have 2−sinx≥2−1=1>0 for all x∈R. …
The function f(x)=2x+cosx has derivative f′(x)=2−sinx, which is always positive because sinx≤1. Therefore f is strictly increasing on R, and the correct option is (D).
The key to this problem lies in monotonicity — whether a function is increasing or decreasing. For a differentiable function, the sign of the derivative tells us everything: if f′(x)>0 for all x, the function is strictly increasing; if f′(x)<0 for all x, it is strictly decreasing. Here, the presence of cosx might tempt you to think about oscillations, but the linear term 2x dominates.
Let’s work through it.
- Find the derivative. Differentiate term by term:
f′(x)=dxd(2x)+dxd(cosx)=2−sinx.
- Analyse the range of f′(x). We know that sinx oscillates between −1 and 1 for all real x. So the smallest possible value of 2−sinx occurs when sinx is largest, i.e. sinx=1:
f′(x)≥2−1=1.
The largest possible value occurs when sinx=−1:
f′(x)≤2−(−1)=3.
Hence f′(x)∈[1,3] for all x∈R.
- Interpret the sign. Since 1>0, we have f′(x)>0 for every real x. A function whose derivative is positive everywhere is strictly increasing on its entire domain. …
Method: Proving Global Monotonicity Using Bounds on sin x / cos x
This technique applies whenever a function combines a steadily growing (or shrinking) term with a bounded oscillating trig term, and you must decide if it is increasing/decreasing everywhere — without being given a specific point.
Steps
Step 1: Differentiate the whole function.
Differentiate term by term using the standard rules, including dxdsinx=cosx and dxdcosx=−sinx.
Step 2: Isolate the bounded trig piece and apply its known range.
Every occurrence of sinx or cosx in the derivative satisfies
−1≤sinx≤1,−1≤cosx≤1.
Substitute the extreme values to find the smallest and largest values f′(x) can possibly take.
Step 3: Compare that worst-case bound to zero. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Assuming the oscillating trig term creates turning points.
Why it's wrong: seeing cosx inside a function tempts students to expect rises and falls like the trig function itself. Correct approach: what matters is the sign of the whole derivative, not the trig term alone — if the non-trig part of the derivative dominates the bounded trig part everywhere, the wiggle never actually flips the overall sign.
Mistake 2: Using a non-strict bound and losing track of whether it's actually strict.
Why it's wrong: some students loosely write f′(x)≥0 instead of working out the exact minimum, and miss that the bound is strictly greater than zero. Correct approach: work out the exact minimum of the derivative (here 2−sinx≥2−1=1) and confirm it is strictly greater than zero before declaring strict monotonicity. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 16 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-FN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=x+log(x+1x−1) is a well-defined real valued function then f is (A) monotonically decreasing function (B) monotonically increasing function (C) increasing in (1,∞) and decreasing in (−∞,−1) (D) decreasing in (1,∞) and increasing in (−∞,−1)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The function is defined only for ∣x∣>1, and its derivative f′(x)=x2−1x2+1 is always positive on both intervals, so f is monotonically increasing on each piece. The correct option is (B).
We need to decide the monotonicity of
f(x)=x+log(x+1x−1)
where it is a well-defined real-valued function. The logarithm requires its argument to be positive:
x+1x−1>0.
Solving this inequality gives x<−1 or x>1. So the domain is (−∞,−1)∪(1,∞). The function is not defined between −1 and 1, so we examine monotonicity separately on each interval.
The natural tool is the derivative. If f′(x)>0 on an interval, f is increasing there; if f′(x)<0, it is decreasing.
- Compute the derivative
f′(x)=1+dxd[log(x−1)−log(x+1)].
Using dxdlogu=uu′,
f′(x)=1+x−11−x+11.
- Simplify Combine the fractions:
x−11−x+11=(x−1)(x+1)(x+1)−(x−1)=x2−12.
Hence
f′(x)=1+x2−12=x2−1x2−1+2=x2−1x2+1.
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Sign of f′(x) on the domain
- Numerator: x2+1>0 for all real x.
- Denominator: x2−1>0 when ∣x∣>1, which is exactly our domain.
Therefore, on both (−∞,−1) and (1,∞), we have f′(x)>0.
-
Conclusion about monotonicity …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.If f(x)=log(2x−3)−2x2+6x−4 is a real valued function then the interval in which f is an increasing function is (A) (−∞,2) (B) (23,2) (C) (2,∞) (D) (23,∞)
›Reveal solutionSolution
For a function to be increasing, its derivative must be positive. After finding the derivative and considering the domain, the function increases only on (23,2).
The key idea is simple: a function is increasing where its derivative is positive. But we must also respect the domain — the logarithm log(2x−3) is only defined when its argument is positive, so 2x−3>0, i.e., x>23. Any interval we consider must lie entirely within this domain.
Now, to find where f increases, we differentiate and solve f′(x)>0.
- Differentiate f(x) f(x)=log(2x−3)−2x2+6x−4 Using the chain rule: derivative of log(2x−3) is 2x−32. So
f′(x)=2x−32−4x+6.
- Set up the inequality for increasing We need f′(x)>0:
2x−32−4x+6>0.
- Combine into a single fraction Write −4x+6 as 2x−3(−4x+6)(2x−3):
2x−32+(−4x+6)(2x−3)>0.
Expand the numerator:
(−4x+6)(2x−3)=−8x2+12x+12x−18=−8x2+24x−18.
Add the 2:
2−8x2+24x−18=−8x2+24x−16.
Factor out −8:
−8(x2−3x+2)=−8(x−1)(x−2).
So the inequality becomes:
2x−3−8(x−1)(x−2)>0.
- Simplify the sign analysis Since −8 is a negative constant, multiplying both sides by −1 (which flips the inequality) gives:
2x−3(x−1)(x−2)<0.
Now we only need to find where this rational expression is negative.
- Find critical points The numerator (x−1)(x−2)=0 at x=1 and x=2. The denominator 2x−3=0 at x=23. These three points divide the real line into intervals. But remember: the domain of f is x>23, so we only care about intervals to the right of 23. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-FN1 markMCQQ.The range of the real valued function f(x)=sin−1(x2+x+1) is (A) [−2π,2π] (B) [0,2π] (C) [6π,2π] (D) [3π,2π]
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is that the argument of sin−1 must lie in [−1,1], and the quadratic inside the square root has a minimum of 43, so the range of x2+x+1 is [23,∞), but only [23,1] is valid for sin−1. Hence the output range is [3π,2π].
Concept and intuition:
The function f(x)=sin−1(x2+x+1) is an inverse sine of a square root. Inverse sine only accepts inputs in [−1,1], and its output is in [−2π,2π]. But here the input is a square root, so it’s always non‑negative. That already restricts the output to [0,2π]. The real question is: what are the actual possible values of x2+x+1 as x runs over all real numbers? That will determine the exact subinterval of [0,2π] that f can hit.
- Find the range of the quadratic inside the square root. The expression x2+x+1 is a quadratic with positive leading coefficient. Its minimum occurs at x=−21:
(−21)2+(−21)+1=41−21+1=43.
Since the quadratic opens upward, its range is [43,∞).
- Apply the square root. Taking the square root preserves order for non‑negative numbers, so
x2+x+1∈[43,∞)=[23,∞).
- Intersect with the domain of sin−1. The inverse sine function sin−1(t) is defined only for t∈[−1,1]. Since our t=x2+x+1 is always ≥23≈0.866, the only values that actually appear in the domain of sin−1 are those in the intersection: [23,∞)∩[−1,1]=[23,1]. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-05-AN1 markMCQQ.If y=log2sinx, then the minimum value of coshy is (A) 2 (B) e2 (C) 2e (D) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The problem reduces to finding the minimum of cosh(log2sinx) over x where sinx>0. Using the definition of cosh and properties of logs, this becomes a function of sinx alone; its minimum occurs when sinx=1, giving the answer 1.
The key here is to see that coshy is defined as 2ey+e−y, and y itself is log2sinx. So we are really composing a hyperbolic cosine with a logarithmic function of a trigonometric one. The domain is restricted: sinx must be positive for the log to be defined, so x∈(0,π) plus periodic copies.
Instead of jumping into calculus on a messy composite function, we can simplify algebraically first. That’s the smart move — let the structure of the expression do the work for you.
-
Write y=log2sinx. Then coshy=2ey+e−y.
-
Substitute y:
ey=elog2sinx=2log2sinx⋅log2e? That’s messy. Better: recall alogbc=clogba. Here, elog2sinx=sinxlog2e. But there’s an even cleaner path.
-
Use the change-of-base: log2sinx=ln2lnsinx. Then
ey=eln2lnsinx=(sinx)1/ln2.
Similarly, e−y=(sinx)−1/ln2.
-
So coshy=21[(sinx)1/ln2+(sinx)−1/ln2].
Let t=sinx. Since x is real and we need sinx>0, we have t∈(0,1]. The function becomes
f(t)=21(ta+t−a), where a=ln21>0. …
-
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-FN1 markMCQQ.The period of the function f(x)=3tan(27πx)−5sec(35πx)2sin(3πx)cos(52πx) is (A) 30 (B) 60 (C) 300 (D) 150
›Reveal solutionSolution
The overall period is the LCM of the periods of the numerator and denominator, which gives 30.
Concept
For a quotient of periodic functions, the fundamental period is the least common multiple (LCM) of the periods of the numerator and the denominator. For sin(kx) and cos(kx) the period is ∣k∣2π; for tan(kx) and sec(kx) it is ∣k∣π and ∣k∣2π respectively.
Solution
Component periods:
- sin(3πx): π/32π=6
- cos(52πx): 2π/52π=5
- tan(27πx): 7π/2π=72 …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-FN1 markMCQQ.Let y=4sin2θ−cos2θ. If l and m are the minimum and maximum values of y respectively, then (A) lm=lm (B) lm=ml (C) l+m=ml (D) l−mlm=1+m
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using cos2θ=1−2sin2θ, y=6sin2θ−1∈[−1,5], so l=−1, m=5 and lm=m/l=−5.
Rewrite cos2θ=1−2sin2θ:
y=4sin2θ−(1−2sin2θ)=6sin2θ−1.
Since sin2θ∈[0,1]:
ymin=6(0)−1=−1=l,ymax=6(1)−1=5=m.
Test the options: …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-AN1 markMCQQ.If a,b are real numbers and α is a real root of x2+12+3sin(a+bx)+6x=0 then the value of cos(a+bα) for the least positive value of a+bα is (A) −1 (B) 21 (C) 21 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Completing the square forces sin(a+bα)=−1 and α=−3; the least positive a+bα=23π gives cos(a+bα)=0. Option (D).
Rewrite the equation as
(x+3)2+3+3sin(a+bx)=0.
At a real root x=α,
3sin(a+bα)=−[(α+3)2+3]≤−3,
so sin(a+bα)≤−1. Since sin≥−1, equality is forced:
sin(a+bα)=−1and(α+3)2=0⇒α=−3. …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-04-FN1 markMCQQ.If a,b are real numbers and α is a real root of x2+12+3sin(a+bx)+6x=0 then the value of cos(a+bα) for the least positive value of a+bα is (A) 0 (B) 21 (C) −1 (D) 21
›Reveal solutionSolution
The equation is rewritten as a perfect square plus a sine term, forcing both to be zero for a real root. This gives α=−3 and, for the least positive value of a+bα, cos(a+bα)=0.
The given equation is x2+12+3sin(a+bx)+6x=0. At first glance, it mixes a quadratic in x with a sine term that depends on x through a+bx. That looks messy — but the trick is to notice that the quadratic part can be completed into a perfect square.
Rewrite the quadratic terms: x2+6x+12=(x2+6x+9)+3=(x+3)2+3. So the equation becomes
(x+3)2+3+3sin(a+bx)=0,
or
(x+3)2+3[1+sin(a+bx)]=0.
Now, x is a real number, so (x+3)2≥0. Also, sin(anything)≥−1, so 1+sin(a+bx)≥0. That means the left-hand side is a sum of two non-negative terms. For their sum to be zero, each term must individually be zero.
-
From (x+3)2=0, we get x=−3. Since α is a real root, α=−3.
-
From 1+sin(a+bα)=0, we get sin(a+bα)=−1.
So a+bα=a+b(−3)=a−3b must satisfy sin(a−3b)=−1. …
-
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-06-AN1 markMCQQ.The number of solutions of the equation cos6x+cos4x+cos2x=−1 in [0,π] is (A) 4 (B) 3 (C) 6 (D) 5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting t=cos2x reduces the equation to 2t(2t−1)(t+1)=0, giving cos2x=0,21,−1 and exactly 5 solutions in [0,π], option (D).
Let t=cos2x. Using cos4x=2t2−1 and cos6x=4t3−3t:
(4t3−3t)+(2t2−1)+t=−1.
4t3+2t2−2t−1=−1⇒4t3+2t2−2t=0⇒2t(2t2+t−1)=0.
Factoring the quadratic, 2t(2t−1)(t+1)=0, so
cos2x=0,cos2x=21,cos2x=−1.
For x∈[0,π] we have 2x∈[0,2π]:
- cos2x=0: 2x=2π,23π⇒x=4π,43π (2 solutions). …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.Consider the following statements Assertion (A): For x∈R−{1}, dxd(tan−1(1−x1+x))=dxd(tan−1x) Reason (R): For x<1, tan−1(1−x1+x)=4π+tan−1x, for x>1, tan−1(1−x1+x)=−43π+tan−1x The correct answer is (A) Both (A) and (R) are true, (R) is the correct explanation of (A) (B) Both (A) and (R) are true, (R) is not the correct explanation of (A) (C) (A) is true, but (R) is false (D) (A) is false, but (R) is true
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A) — option (A).
Since tan(4π+tan−1x)=1−x1+x, taking principal values gives
- for x<1: tan−1(1−x1+x)=4π+tan−1x,
- for x>1: tan−1(1−x1+x)=−43π+tan−1x.
So (R) is true. In each interval the expression differs from tan−1x only by a constant, hence …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-AN1 markMCQQ.If α=tan(2sin−1(32)) and β=sin(2tan−1(31)), then the maximum value of αsinθ+βcosθ= (A) 1 (B) 52009 (C) 32024 (D) 45+53
›Reveal solutionSolution
α=tan(2sin−132)=45 and β=sin(2tan−131)=53; the maximum is α2+β2=2009/5.
α: with sin−132=ϕ, tanϕ=52, so
α=tan2ϕ=1−542⋅52=1/54/5=45,α2=80.
β: with tan−131=ψ, tanψ=31, so …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-04-AN1 markMCQQ.The number of solutions of the equation tanθ+cot2θ=1 lying in the interval (−π,π) is (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 3 (D) 4
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to rewrite tanθ+cot2θ in terms of tanθ using the double-angle identity for cot2θ, simplify to a quadratic in tanθ, solve, and then count distinct solutions in (−π,π) — there are 2 solutions.
The equation mixes tanθ and cot2θ. The natural instinct is to express everything in terms of a single trigonometric function, and tanθ is the most convenient choice because cot2θ has a neat double-angle formula in terms of tanθ.
Recall that cot2θ=tan2θ1, and tan2θ=1−tan2θ2tanθ. So
cot2θ=2tanθ1−tan2θ.
This substitution will turn the equation into an algebraic one in t=tanθ, provided we are careful about where tanθ is undefined (i.e., θ=±2π in (−π,π)) and where cot2θ is undefined (i.e., 2θ=nπ, or θ=2nπ). We'll check those points separately after solving.
- Substitute and simplify. Let t=tanθ. Then the equation becomes
t+2t1−t2=1.
Multiply through by 2t (assuming t=0 for now):
2t2+(1−t2)=2t⇒t2+1=2t.
So t2−2t+1=0, i.e., (t−1)2=0. Hence t=1.
-
Solve tanθ=1 in (−π,π).
The general solution is θ=4π+nπ, n∈Z.
In the interval (−π,π), the values are:
- For n=0: θ=4π.
- For n=−1: θ=4π−π=−43π.
- For n=1: θ=4π+π=45π, which is outside (−π,π) since 45π>π. So we have two candidate solutions: θ=4π and θ=−43π.
-
Check for excluded points.
We multiplied by 2t, so we must check if t=0 (i.e., θ=0,±π) could be a solution. Plug θ=0 into the original equation: tan0+cot0 is undefined because cot0 blows up. Similarly, θ=±π gives tan(±π)=0 but cot(2π) or cot(−2π) is undefined. So no extra solutions there.
Also check points where tanθ is undefined: θ=±2π. At θ=2π, tanθ is undefined, so it cannot satisfy. At θ=−2π, same issue. …
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