- \[ f(x)=(2x-1)^2+3 \]
- \[ f(x)=9x^2+12x+3 \]
- \[ f(x)=-(x-1)^2+10 \]
- \[ g(x)=x^3+1 \]
Theory and Concept
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To find the maximum or minimum value of a differentiable function, we first locate its critical points. A critical point is generally obtained by solving
Once a critical point is obtained, the second derivative test can be used:
- If \(f''(a)>0\), then \(f(x)\) has a local minimum at \(x=a\).
- If \(f''(a)<0\), then \(f(x)\) has a local maximum at \(x=a\).
- If \(f''(a)=0\), the second derivative test is inconclusive. Another method, such as the first derivative test or direct analysis of the function, must be used.
For polynomial functions defined on all real numbers, we should also distinguish between a local extremum and an absolute maximum or minimum. In this question, the quadratic functions can be analysed directly because their squared terms are always non-negative. For the cubic function \(g(x)=x^3+1\), the derivative analysis shows that the function is increasing throughout its domain.
Step-by-step Plan
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Differentiate the given function.
Set the first derivative equal to zero to obtain the critical point.
Find the second derivative.
Apply the second derivative test wherever it gives a definite conclusion.
If the second derivative is zero at a critical point, do not conclude that the function has neither maximum nor minimum. Instead, analyse the sign of the first derivative or the function itself.
Substitute the critical point into the original function to obtain the corresponding extremum value.
(i) \(f(x)=(2x-1)^2+3\)
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Given — \[f(x)=(2x-1)^2+3\]
- Find the first derivative
- Using the chain rule,\[f'(x)=2(2x-1)\frac{d}{dx}(2x-1)+\frac{d}{dx}(3)\]\[f'(x)=2(2x-1)(2)+0\]\[f'(x)=4(2x-1)\]
- Find the critical point
- For a possible maximum or minimum,\[f'(x)=0\]
- Therefore,\[4(2x-1)=0\]
- Since \(4\neq0\),\[2x-1=0\]\[2x=1\]\[x=\frac{1}{2}\]
- Find the second derivative
- \[f'(x)=4(2x-1)\]
- Differentiating again,\[ f''(x)=\frac{d}{dx}\left[4(2x-1)\right] \]\[f''(x)=4\frac{d}{dx}(2x-1) \]\[f''(x)=4(2) \]\[f''(x)=8 \]
- Therefore,\[f''\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=8>0\]
- Since the second derivative is positive at the critical point, the function has a minimum at\[ x=\frac{1}{2}. \]
- Find the minimum value
- Therefore, the minimum value is \(3\), attained at \(x=\frac12\).
- There is no maximum value because\[ (2x-1)^2\to\infty \]as \(|x|\to\infty\). Hence,\[ f(x)\to\infty. \]
(ii) \(f(x)=9x^2+12x+3\)
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Given — \[f(x)=9x^2+12x+3\]
- Find the first derivative
- Differentiating term by term,\[f'(x)=18x+12+0\]\[f'(x)=18x+12\]
- Find the critical point
- Set the first derivative equal to zero:\[f'(x)=0\]\[18x+12=0\]\[18x=-12\]\[x=-\frac{12}{18}\]\[x=-\frac{2}{3}\]
- Thus, the critical point occurs at\[x=-\frac23\]
- Find the second derivative
- \[f'(x)=18x+12\]
- Therefore,\[f''(x)=18\]
- Hence,\[f''\left(-\frac23\right)=18>0\]
- Since the second derivative is positive, the function has a minimum at\[ x=-\frac23 \]
- Find the minimum value
- \[f\left(-\frac23\right)=9\left(-\frac23\right)^2+12\left(-\frac23\right)+3\]\[=9\left(\frac49\right)-8+3\]\[=4-8+3\]\[=-1\]
- Therefore, the minimum value is \(-1\).
- There is no maximum value because the coefficient of \(x^2\) is positive and\[ f(x)\to\infty \]as \(|x|\to\infty\).
(iii) \(f(x)=-(x-1)^2+10\)
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Given — \[f(x)=-(x-1)^2+10\]
- Find the first derivative
- Differentiating using the chain rule,
- \[f'(x)=-2(x-1)\frac{d}{dx}(x-1)+0\]\[f'(x)=-2(x-1)\]
- Expanding,\[f'(x)=-2x+2\]
- Find the critical point
- \[f'(x)=0\]
- Therefore,\[-2(x-1)=0\]
- Since \(-2\neq0\),\[x-1=0\]\[x=1\]
- Find the second derivative
- \[f'(x)=-2x+2\]
- Differentiating,\[f''(x)=-2\]
- Therefore,\[f''(1)=-2<0\]
- Since the second derivative is negative at the critical point, the function has a maximum at\[ x=1. \]
- Find the maximum value
- \[f(1)=-(1-1)^2+10\]\[=-(0)^2+10\]\[=0+10\]\[=10\]
- Therefore, the maximum value is \(10\).
- There is no minimum value because\[ -(x-1)^2\to-\infty \]as \(|x|\to\infty\). Consequently,\[ f(x)\to-\infty. \]
(iv) \(g(x)=x^3+1\)
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Given — \[g(x)=x^3+1\]
- Find the first derivative
- Differentiating,\[g'(x)=3x^2\]
- Find the critical point
- Set the first derivative equal to zero:\[g'(x)=0\]\[3x^2=0\]
- Since \(3\neq0\),\[x^2=0\]\[x=0\]Thus, \(x=0\) is a critical point.
- Apply the second derivative test
- \[g'(x)=3x^2\]
- Differentiating again,\[g''(x)=6x\]
- At the critical point \(x=0\),\[g''(0)=6(0)\]\[g''(0)=0\]
- Here,\[ g''(0)=0. \]Therefore, the second derivative test is inconclusive. It is not correct to conclude directly that the function has neither a maximum nor a minimum merely because the second derivative is zero.
- Use the first derivative to determine the nature of the critical point
- We have\[g'(x)=3x^2\]
- For every real \(x\),\[x^2\geq0\]
- Therefore,\[3x^2\geq0\]
- For every \(x\neq0\),\[3x^2>0\]
- Thus,\[g'(x)>0\]on both sides of \(x=0\), except at \(x=0\) itself.
- Hence, \(g(x)\) is increasing before \(x=0\) and continues to be increasing after \(x=0\). The derivative does not change sign from positive to negative or from negative to positive at \(x=0\).
- Therefore, \(x=0\) is a stationary point of inflection, not a maximum or minimum point.
Final Answer
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| Function | Critical Point | Second Derivative Test | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| \(f(x)=(2x-1)^2+3\) | \(x=\frac12\) | \(f''(x)=8>0\) | Minimum \(=3\) |
| \(f(x)=9x^2+12x+3\) | \(x=-\frac23\) | \(f''(x)=18>0\) | Minimum \(=-1\) |
| \(f(x)=-(x-1)^2+10\) | \(x=1\) | \(f''(x)=-2<0\) | Maximum \(=10\) |
| \(g(x)=x^3+1\) | \(x=0\) | \(g''(0)=0\) | No maximum or minimum |
Exam Significance
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This question tests one of the fundamental applications of derivatives: using the first and second derivatives to identify maximum and minimum values. For board examinations, students should clearly show the sequence
A particularly important board-level concept appears in part (iv). When
Significance for Competitive Entrance Examinations
For JEE Main, JEE Advanced and other entrance examinations, the problem develops the ability to distinguish between a critical point, a local extremum, an absolute extremum, and a stationary point of inflection. Competitive questions may deliberately provide a point where
In particular, for
Key Takeaways
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For a differentiable function, possible extrema are generally investigated by solving \(f'(x)=0\).
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A positive second derivative at a critical point indicates a local minimum.
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A negative second derivative at a critical point indicates a local maximum.
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If \(f''(a)=0\), the second derivative test is inconclusive.
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The condition \(f'(a)=0\) alone does not guarantee a maximum or minimum.
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For \(g(x)=x^3+1\), \(g'(x)=3x^2\geq0\), so the function is increasing throughout its domain.
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The critical point \((0,1)\) for \(g(x)=x^3+1\) is a stationary point of inflection, not an extremum.
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Always calculate the value of the original function at the critical point to obtain the corresponding maximum or minimum value.
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For global maximum or minimum questions, also examine the behaviour of the function at the boundaries of its domain and as \(x\to\pm\infty\), when applicable.
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For quadratic functions, completing the square provides an independent and useful verification of the extremum.