DIFFERENTIATION 2−APPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENTIATION
OBJECTIVES: By the end of this lesson, the student should be able to:
Apply
L’HÔPITAL’S RULE EQUATIONS OF NORMAL AND
TANGENTS
L’Hôpital’s rule goes a long way to ease the
evaluation of function having an Recall that a tangent is a straight line that
indeterminate form when looking for its touches a curve externally at one and only
limit. one point. Also, a tangent has the same
gradient as the curve at any given point. So
𝑓(𝑥) 0 ∞ 𝑑𝑦
If lim (𝑔(𝑥)) = 0 𝑜𝑟 ∞ , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 the gradient of a tangent is equal to 𝑑𝑥 at
𝑥→𝑎
that point.
𝑓(𝑥) 𝑓′(𝑥)
lim ( ) = lim ( ) A normal is a straight line that is
𝑥→𝑎 𝑔(𝑥) 𝑥→𝑎 𝑔′(𝑥)
perpendicular to a tangent so that the
product of their gradients is −1.
Example: Evaluate
𝑥 2 −9 Example: Find the equations of
1. lim ( 𝑥−3 )
𝑥→3 the tangent and normal to the
1−cos 𝑥
2. lim ( ) curve 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 8𝑦 = 0 at
𝑥→0 𝑥2
the point (0, 6)
Solutions
Solutions 𝑥 2 + 𝑦 2 − 6𝑥 + 8𝑦 = 0
𝑥 2 −9 2𝑥 𝑑𝑦 𝑑𝑦
1. lim ( 𝑥−3 ) = lim ( 1 ) ⇒ 2𝑥 + 2𝑦 −6+8 =0
𝑥→3 𝑥→3
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥
=𝟔
1−cos 𝑥 sin 𝑥 𝑑𝑦 6 − 2𝑥
2. lim ( ) = lim ( ) ⇒ =
𝑥→0 𝑥2 𝑥→0 2𝑥
𝑑𝑥 8 + 2𝑦
cos 𝑥 1
= lim ( )= 𝑑𝑦 6−2(6) 3
𝑥→0 2 2 At the point (6, 0), 𝑑𝑥 = 8+2(0) = − 4
Observe that L’Hôpital’s rule can be used as 3
many times as possible as it is applicable. Equation of tangent: 𝑦 − 0 = − 4 (𝑥 − 6)
That is, the rule can be used as many times
0 ∞ ⇒ 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 18
as direct substitution yields 0 𝑜𝑟 ∞
4
Equation of normal: 𝑦 − 0 = 3 (𝑥 − 6)
Note: L’Hôpital’s rule does not apply the
quotient rule. It differentiates the ⇒ 3𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 24
numerator and the denominator
separately.
TURNING (STATIONARY) POINTS At the turning points, 𝑑𝑥 = 0
𝑑𝑦
∆𝑦
Recall that 𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 = ∆𝑥 . If the curve is 48
⇒ 3𝑥 2 − =0
rising (monotone increasing), then both ∆𝑦 𝑥2
and ∆𝑥 are positive and so, the gradient is ⇒ 𝑥 4 − 16 = 0
positive. If the curve is falling (monotone
decreasing), then both ∆𝑦 is negative and ⇒ (𝑥 2 + 4)(𝑥 4 − 4) = 0 ⇒ 𝑥 = ±2
∆𝑥 is positive and so, the gradient is
When 𝑥 = 2, 𝑦 = 8 + 24 = 32 and when
negative. There are other points on a curve
𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −8 − 24 = −32
at which the gradient changes from positive
to negative or negative to positive. At these
points (called turning points), the gradient
𝑥 −2 2
is zero.
𝑑𝑦 + − +
𝑑𝑦
That is, at the turning points, 𝑑𝑥 = 0 𝑑𝑥
𝑆𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 m m
a i
x n
Clearly, (−2, −32) is the maximum turning
point while (2, 32) is the minimum turning
point.
𝑑𝑦
Second derivative test: Suppose 𝑑𝑥 = 0 ⇒
𝑑𝑦 𝑥 = 𝑥1 or 𝑥 = 𝑥2
First derivative test: If the gradient 𝑑𝑥
changes from positive through zero to 𝑑2 𝑦
If 𝑑𝑥 2 < 0 when 𝑥 = 𝑥1 , then (𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) is a
negative, then there is a maximum turning
𝑑2 𝑦
point. In the figure above, it is the point 𝑃. maximum turning point. If 𝑑𝑥 2 > 0 when
𝑑𝑦
However, if the gradient 𝑑𝑥 changes from 𝑥 = 𝑥2 , then (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 ) is a minimum turning
𝑑2 𝑦
negative through zero to positive, then point. If 𝑑𝑥 2 = 0, then no conclusion can be
there is a minimum turning point; in the drawn.
figure above, this corresponds to point 𝑄.
Note: the maximum and minimum turning
Example: Find the turning points values discussed here are local values,
48 which occur at the immediate vicinity of the
of the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 𝑥 and turning points
distinguish between them.
INFLEXION POINTS
𝑑2 𝑦
Points on the curve where 𝑑𝑥 2 = 0 are
Solution:
called inflexion points. It is at this point
48 𝑑𝑦 48 that the sense of concavity of the curve
𝑦 = 𝑥3 + ⇒ = 3𝑥 2 − 2
𝑥 𝑑𝑥 𝑥
changes, that is, the curve stops facing 𝑑𝑙
upwards and starts facing downwards, and = 0.00005 + (0.0000008)(100)
𝑑𝜃
vice versa.
= 0.00013𝑚/℃
RATES OF CHANGE = 0.13𝑚𝑚/℃
𝑑𝑦 b) When 𝜃 = 400℃,
The differential coefficient 𝑑𝑥 represents the
𝑑𝑙
rate of change of 𝑦 with respect to 𝑥 or the = 0.00005 + (0.0000008)(400)
gradient of the curve, 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). Similarly, 𝑑𝜃
𝑑𝑥 = 0.00037𝑚/℃
represents the rate of change of 𝑥 with
𝑑𝑡
respect to 𝑡. The term “rate of change” = 0.37𝑚𝑚/℃
implies we will be working with respect to 2. The rate of change of light with respect
time. 𝑑𝑙
to voltage is given by 𝑑𝑉.
Since 𝐼 = 4 × 10−4 𝑉 2 ,
Examples
𝑑𝑙
1. The length 𝑙 metres of a = 8 × 10−4 𝑉
certain metal rod at 𝑑𝑉
When the light is increasing at 0.6 candelas
temperature 𝜃℃ is given per volt then
by 𝑙 = 1 + 0.00005𝜃 +
0.0000004𝜃 2 . Determine +0.6 = 8 × 10−4 𝑉 ,
the rate of change of From which, voltage
length, in 𝑚𝑚/℃, when 𝑉 = 0.6/8 × 10−4 = 0.075 × 104
the temperature is (a)
= 𝟕𝟓𝟎 𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒕𝒔
100℃ and (b) 400℃
2. The luminous intensity I SMALL CHANGES
candelas of a lamp at
If 𝑦 is a function of 𝑥, i.e. 𝑦 = 𝑓 (𝑥), and
varying voltage 𝑉 is given
the approximate change in 𝑦 corresponding
by 𝐼 = 4 × 10−4 𝑉 2
to a small change 𝛿𝑥 in 𝑥 is required, then
Determine the voltage at
which the light is 𝛿𝑦 𝑑𝑦
increasing at a rate of ≈
𝛿𝑥 𝑑𝑥
0.6 𝑐𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡.
𝑑𝑦
𝛿𝑦 ≈ 𝛿𝑥 𝑜𝑟 𝛿𝑦 ≈ 𝑓′(𝑥)𝛿𝑥
𝑑𝑥
Solutions
𝑑𝑙
1. The rate of change of length means 𝑑𝜃
Since length 𝑙 = 1 + 0.00005𝜃 +
0.0000004𝜃 2 , then
𝑑𝑙
=0.00005 + 0.0000008𝜃
𝑑𝜃
a) When 𝜃 = 100℃,
Examples THEOREMS IN
DIFFERENTIATION
1. Given 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥,
determine the approximate Intermediate Value Theorem: If 𝑓 is
i
change in 𝑦 if 𝑥 changes continuous on an interval 𝐼 and if two
from 1 𝑡𝑜 1.02 points, 𝑎, 𝑏 ∈ 𝐼, 𝑎 < 𝑏, 𝑓(𝑎) ≠ 𝑓(𝑏), then
2. A circular template has a for any 𝑚 between 𝑓(𝑎) and 𝑓(𝑏), there
radius of 10 𝑐𝑚 (±0.02). exists a point 𝑐 in [𝑎, 𝑏] such that
Determine the possible
𝑓(𝑐) = 𝑚
error in calculating the
area of the template. Find This theorem states in other words that if
also the percentage error. the domain of a continuous function is an
interval, then the range of the function
must also be an interval
Solutions
Rolle’s Theorem: Let 𝑓 be continuous on
𝑑𝑦
1. Since 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 – 𝑥, then 𝑑𝑥 = 8𝑥 − 1 [𝑎, 𝑏] and differentiable in ]𝑎, 𝑏[. If 𝑓(𝑎) =
Approximate change in 𝑦, 𝑓(𝑏), then there exists at least one point in
𝑑𝑦 ]𝑎, 𝑏[ 𝑠𝑢𝑐ℎ 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0
𝛿𝑦 ≈ ∙ 𝛿𝑥 ≈ (8𝑥 − 1)𝛿𝑥
𝑑𝑥 Mean Value Theorem: Suppose that 𝑓 is
When 𝑥 = 1 and 𝛿𝑥 = 0.02,
continuous on [𝑎, 𝑏] and differentiable in
𝛿𝑦 ≈ [8(1) − 1](0.02)
]𝑎, 𝑏[, then there exists at least one point 𝑐
≈ 𝟎. 𝟏𝟒
in ]𝑎, 𝑏[ such that
2. Area of circular template, 𝐴 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ,
hence 𝒇(𝒃) − 𝒇(𝒂)
𝑑𝐴 𝒇′ (𝒄) =
= 2𝜋𝑟 𝒃−𝒂
𝑑𝑟
Approximate change in area, Notice that Rolle’s theorem is a
𝑑𝐴 particular case of the Mean Value
𝛿𝐴 ≈ · 𝛿𝑟 ≈ (2𝜋𝑟)𝛿𝑟 Theorem.
𝑑𝑟
When 𝑟 = 10 𝑐𝑚 and 𝛿𝑟 = 0.02,
𝛿 𝐴 = (2𝜋(10))(0.02) ≈ 0.4𝜋 𝑐𝑚2
i.e. the possible error in calculating
the template area is approximately
𝟏. 𝟐𝟓𝟕 𝒄𝒎𝟐 .
0.4𝜋
𝑷𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓 ≈ × 100
𝜋102
= 𝟎. 𝟒𝟎%