Application of Derivatives

(Tangent and Normal)

Application of Derivatives
(Tangent and Normal) :

y = f(x) is given, then

dy
= slope of tangent = m
dx (x ,y )
1 1

Equation of tangent :

(y − y 1 ) = m(x − x 1 )

Equation of normal :
1 1
Slope of normal mN = – =−
m  dy 
  Know the facts
 dx  (x ,y 1 1)

Equation: y – y1 = mN (x – x1) Do check the point (x1, y1) lies

−1 on the curve y = f(x)
(y )
– y1 =
dy
(x – x1 )
dx (x ,y
1 1)

 dx 
(y − y 1 ) = − (x − x 1 )

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

 dy 
(x ,y ) 1 1

If the curve is expressed parametrically, then

x = φ(t) and y = ψ(t)
dy
dy ψ '(t)
m = = dt =
dx dx φ '(t)
dt
Equation of tangent :

ψ '(t)
{y − ψ (t)} = (x − φ(t))
φ '(t)
Equation of normal :

1.
 φ '(t)
y − ψ (t) = − (x − φ(t))
ψ '(t)

Important points :
(1) 
If the tangent to the curve y = f(x) at the
point (x1, y1) is parallel to the x-axis, then
dy
= 0 and if tangent is parallel to the
dx (x ,y )
1 1

line ax + by + c = 0
dy −a
⇒ =
dx (x ,y ) b
1 1

(2) 
If the tangent to the curve at (x1, y1) is
dx
perpendicular to x-axis then =0
dy (x ,y )
1 1

and if it is perpendicular to the line

dy  −a 
ax + by + c = 0 then ×  = −1
dx (x ,y )  b 
1 1

assuming both slopes are finite.

(3) If the tangent to the curve at (x1, y1) is equally

inclined with the axis then m = ± 1
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

(4) 
If the tangent makes equal non-zero
intercepts on coordinate axis then m = -1.

(5) If the tangent to the curve at (x1, y1) cuts off
equal non-zero distances from origin on the
coordinates axis, then m = ± 1.

(6) Initial ordinate of a tangent is y-intercept of

tangent
OT(initial ordinate) = y1 – mx1

2.
(7) 
If a curve passes through origin then
equation of tangent to the curve at origin
can be directly written by equating to zero
the lowest degree term appearing in the
equation of curve.
E.g. : Equation of circle passing through
origin
x2 + y2 + 2gx + 2fy = 0
 then equation of tangent to the circle at
origin is 2gx + 2fy = 0
⇒ gx + fy = 0
E.g. : x3 + y3 – 3xy = 0 (folium of descartes)
Equation of tangent to the curve at origin is
x y = 0.
The same line is tangent as well as normal to
the same curve at the same point.

(8) Parametric equation:

(i) x2 + y2 = a2 ⇒ x = acosθ, y = asinθ

x2 y2
(ii) + = 1 ⇒ x = acosθ, y = bsinθ
a2 b2
(iii) x + y = a ⇒ x = a cos4θ, y = asin4θ
(iv) x2/3 + y2/3 = c2/3 ⇒ x = ccos3θ, y = csin3θ

x2 y2
(v) = 1
− ⇒ x = asecθ, y = btanθ

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

a2 b2
(vi) y2 = 4ax ⇒ x = at2, y = 2at
(vii) y2 = x3 ⇒ x = t2, y = t3

(9) Tangent to the curve at (x1, y1) intersect the

curve again at (x2, y2).

dy y − y1
= 2
dx (x ,y ) x2 − x 1
1 1

(10) Tangent to the curve at (x1, y1) is again tangent

to the curve at same other point (x2, y2)
dy dy y2 − y 1
= =
dx (x ,y ) dx (x x2 − x 1
1 1 2 ,y 2 )

3.
 (11) Tangent to the curve at (x1, y1) again intersect
the curve at (x2, y2) as normal.

dy −1 y2 − y 1
= =
dx (x ,y ) dy x2 − x 1
1 1
dx (x ,y
2 2)

Q.1 Tangent to the curve y2 = x3 at the point P intersect the curve again at Q, then
m
the value of OP is (where O is the origin)
mOQ

(A) 1 (B) –1 (C) – 2 (D) 1 or –2

Sol. (C)
mOP t1
=
mOQ t2
x = t2, y = t3
dx dy
= 2t, = 3t 2
dt dt
dy 3 t 3 − t 31 t 22 + t 21 + t 1t 2
= t 1 = m = 22 =
dx (t ) 2 t 2 − t 21 t 1 + t2
1

⇒ 3t 21 + 3t 1t 2 = 2t 21 + 2t 22 + 2t 1t 2
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

⇒ 2t 22 − t 21 − t 1t 2 = 0
⇒ (t2 – t1) (2t2 + t1) = 0
t
⇒ 2t2 = – t1 ⇒ 1 = −2
t2
mOP
So = −2
mOQ
Alternate Method :
Let the equation of tangent be y = mx + c

We get,

4.
 Sum of roots two at a time;
t 21 + t1t2 + t1t2 = 0

⇒ t 21 + 2t1t2 = 0
⇒ t1(t1 + 2t2) = 0
⇒ either t1 = 0 (not possible) or t1 = – 2t2
t
⇒ 1 = −2
t2
mOP
So = −2
mOQ

Q.2 Equation of normal to the curve x2 = 4y which passes through (1, 2) is-
(A) 2x + y = 4 (B) x + 2y = 4 (C) x + y = 3 (D) None

(C)Sol.
Parametric point (2t, t2)
dy x 2t
= = =t
dx (t) 2 2

t2 − 2 1
also slope of normal = and −
2t − 1 t
t2 − 2 1
which gives = − ⇒ t(t2 – 2) = 1 – 2t
2t − 1 t
⇒ t – 2t = 1 – 2t 3

⇒ t3 = 1 ⇒ t = 1
for t = 1, point (2, 1)

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

So equation of normal,
y – 1 = – 1(x – 2)
y–1=–x+2
x+y=3

Q.3 A curve is defined parametrically as x = e2t + 2e–t and y = e2t + et. The equation
of the line tangent to the curve at t = ln2 is-
(A) 5x – 6y = 7 (B) 5x – 3y = 7 (C) 10x – 7y = 8 (D) 3x – 2y = 3

Sol. (C)
At t = ln2
x = e2ln2 + 2e–ln2 and y = e2ln2 + eln2
2
x= 4+ and y = 4 + 2
2
x = 5 and y = 6

5.
 dx dy
= 2e2t – 2e–t and = 2e2t + et
dt dt
dy 2e2t + et
2 × 4 + 2 10
= = =
dx t =  n2 2e2t − 2e− t 2 7
t =ln2 2×4 −
2
10
Equation of tangent: y – 6 = (x – 5)
7
⇒ 7y – 42 = 10x – 50
⇒ 10x – 7y = 8

  x 
Q.4 Prove that all the points on curve y 2 = 4a  x + a sin    at which tangent is



 a 
parallel to x-axis, lies on a parabola.

Sol.
Let the tangent to the parabola at (h, k) is parallel to x axis.
dy  a  x    x 
then 2y = 4a  1 + cos    = 4a  1 + cos   
dx  a   
  a    a 
h h
0 = 1 + cos   ⇒ cos   = −1
a
  a
h
= (2n + 1)π , where n ∈ I.
a
  h 
also k2 = 4a  h + a sin   
 
  a 
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

⇒ k2 = 4ah
locus ⇒ y2 = 4ax which is a parabola. Hence proved.

Q.5 Tangents are drawn from the origin to the curve y = sin x. Prove that their
point of contacts lie on the curve x2y2 = x2 – y2.

Sol.
(h, k) lies on the curve.
So k = sin h …(i)
dy k
Slope: = cosh = …(ii)
dx h
Squaring and adding,
k2
k2 + 2 = 1
h
h k = h2 – k2
2 2

x2y2 = x2 – y2

6.
 Q.6 Prove that the portion of the tangent to the curve x2/3 + y2/3 = c2/3 intercepted
between the coordinate axes is constant.

dy c.3 sin2 q cos q dy sin q

Sol. =
dx c.3 cos2 q( − sin q)
⇒
dx
=−
cos q
− sin q
(y – c sin3θ) = (x − c cos3 q)
cos q
y x
− c sin2 q = − + c cos2 q
sin q cos q
x y
+ =c
cos q sin q
Length of required portion

= c cos q − 0

( )2 + (c sin q − 0)2

(
= c2 cos2 q + sin2 q = c

)
It is constant.

x2
Q.7 If y = 1 +
a3
and y = 4 x have only one point in common. Find ‘a’.

x2
Sol. y=1+
a3
and y = 4 x

a ≠ 0, for a < 0 for a > 0

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

Slope of both curves will be equal to So when a < 0 there will
2x 4
= always be a common point
3
a 2 x
 1
x3/2 = a3 so a ∈(– ∞, 0) ∪  
3
x = a2
by curve, we get
1 + a = 4a
1
3a = 1 ⇒ a=
3

7.
 Q.8 If y = ex and y = kx2 touches each other. Find ‘k’.

Sol.
y = ex, y = kx2
Slope of both the curves at their point of intersection is same.
ex = kx2
and ex = 2kx
so kx2 = 2kx
x=2
so we get e2 = 4k
e2
k=
4

Angle of intersection of two curves

It is defined as the angle between the tangents
at their point of intersection.
Let (x1, y1) be their point of intersection
df(x)
m1 =
dx (x ,y )
1 1

dg(x)
m2 =
dx (x ,y
1 1)

m1 − m2 , where θ is acute angle.

tan q =
1 + m2m1
m1 and m2 are finite.
π – q is the obtuse angle
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

Note :

If 2 curves intersect each other at 90° at all

point of intersection then they are said to
be orthogonal.

Mathematically, m1.m2 = – 1
(where m1 and m2 are finite)

Note : If m1 → ∞, find m2 = m (finite)

 m 
m1  1 − 2 
 m1  1
Then angle, tanθ = =
 1  m2
m1  + m2 
m 
 1 

8.
 • 
If m1 → ∞, m2 → ∞ then angle between
them is zero.

• Two curves touch each other

(a) f(x) = g(x)

(b) f’(x) = g’(x)

Q.1 Find the angle between the curves y = sin x and y = cos x.

Sol. sin x = cos x

⇒ tan x = 1
π
⇒ x = nπ + ∀n ∈ I
4
1 π
For y = sinx, y ' = m1 = at x =
2 4
−1 π
For y = cos x, y ' = m2 = at x =
2 4
 1  −1  
 −    
−1  2  2  −1
 2 
Angle between the curves = tan  = tan  
  1− 1 
 1 + 1  −1    
 2  2    2

( )
= tan−1 2 2

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

Q.2 Find the angle between the curve 2y2 = x3 and y2 = 32x.

Sol. 2y 2 = x3 and y 2 = 32x

( )
⇒ 2 32x = x3

⇒ 64x − x3 = 0
(
⇒ x 64 − x2 = 0 )
⇒ x = 0, 8, −8 .
(where x=–8 is not possible)
∴ Point of intersection are (0, 0), (8, 16), (8,–16)
For 2y 2 = x3 , differentiating,

9.
 4yy ' = 3x2
3x2
⇒ y' =
4y
at x = 0, y ' = 0 for 2y 2 = x3
at x = 0, y ' = ∞ (vertical tangent) for y 2 = 32x .
∴ angle between curves is 90° at (0, 0).
( )
At 8, 16 , for 2y 2 = x3 ,

3×8×8
y ' = m1 = =3
4 × 16
For y 2 = 32x
16
y ' = m2 = =1
y
 3 − 1 −1  1 
∴ angle between curves = tan−1   = tan  
 1+ 3 2
(
At x = 8, −16 , for 2y 2 = x3 )
y ' = m1 = −3

for y 2 = 32x
y ' = m2 = −1 .
 −1 + 3  −1  1 
∴ angle between curves = tan−1   = tan   .
 1+ 3  2
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

Q.3 If q is the angle between y = x2 and 6y = 7 – x3 at (a, a). Find q .

Sol. (a, a ) lies on y = x

∴ y = x = x2
⇒ x = 0, 1
(0, 0) does not satisfy 6y = 7 − x3 while (1, 1) lies on it
∴a = 1
Now at (1, 1),
for y = x2 , y ' = 2x = 2
−3x2 1
for 6y = 7 − x3 , y ' = =−
6 2
  −1  
angle between the curve is 90°  m1m2 = 2   = −1 
 
 2 

10.
 Q.4 Find the condition for the line y = mx to cut at right angles the conic
ax2 + 2hxy + by2 = 1.

Sol. y = mx ⇒ y ' = m1 = m

ax2 + 2hxy + by 2 = 1
2ax + 2hy + 2hxy '+ 2byy ' = 0

⇒ y ' = m2 =
(
− ax + hy )
hx + by
 hy 
− a + 
 x 
=
by
h+
x
(
− a + hm )
=
h + bm
( y = mx )
Since line cuts the curve at right angles , m1m2 = −1

⇒ −m
(a + hm) = −1
h + bm
(
⇒ m a + hm = h + bm ) ( )

Q.5 Show that the condition that the curves

2 2 2
x2 y2
x 3 + y 3 = c 3 and + ( )
= 1 a > b > 0 may touch if c = a + b.

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

a2 b2

Sol. (
Parametric coordinates of 2 curves are c cos3 q, c sin3 q and a cos α,b sin α ) ( )
⇒ c cos3 q = a cos α
c sin3 q = b sin α
b
⇒ tan3 q = tan α …(i)
a
dy 1 dy 2
Also =
dx dx
3c sin2 q cos q b cos α
⇒ =
−3c cos q sin q 2 −a sin α
b
⇒ tan q = cot α …(ii)
a

11.
 Using (i) and (ii),
3
b 3 b
  cot α = tan α
a a

b2 b
⇒ = tan4 α ⇒ tan α =
a 2 a
b a b
⇒ tan q = =
a b a
⇒ tan α = tan q
⇒q=α

⇒ c cos3 q = acosq

⇒ c cos2 q = a

⇒ c sin2 q = b
Adding both equation,
c = a + b Hence proved.

x2 y2
Q.6 Find the values of a if the curves
a2
+
4
= 1 and y2 = 16x cut orthogonally.

Sol. Differentiating, we get

2x 2yy ' −4x
+ = 0 ⇒ y' = 2
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

a 2 4 a y
And
8

2yy ' = 16 ⇒ y ' =
y
Since both curve cuts orthogonally, m1m2 = −1

8  −4x 
⇒   = −1
y  a2 y 

⇒ 32x = a2 y 2
⇒ 32x = a2 16x ( )
⇒ a2 = 2
⇒a=± 2

12.
Length of tangent, subtangent, normal and
subnormal :
Length of tangent at point P is defined as the
portion of the tangent intersected between
the point of contact and X-axis.
’AP’ is the length of tangent.
‘AT’ is the length of subtangent.
Portion of the normal intercepted between
point ‘P’ and X-axis is length of normal.
‘PB’ is the length of normal.
‘BT’ is the length of subnormal.

Numerically :
dy
m= = tan q
dx (x ,y )
1 1

y1
In ∆ATP, sinθ =
PA
y1
PA = = y1cosecθ
sin q
PA = y 1 1 + cot 2 q

2
 dx 
Length of tangent = y1 1+  
 dy 
(x 1 ,y 1 )

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

y1 dx
Length of subtangent = = y1
dy dy (x ,y
1 1)
dx (x ,y
1 1)

1 −1 −dx
Slope of normal = – = =
m dy dy
dx
2
 dy 
Length of normal = y 1 1 +  
 dx 
(x 1 ,y 1 )

dy
Length of subnormal = y 1
dx (x ,y
1 1)

13.
 Q.1 Which of the following curves are orthogonal ?
x
−
(A) y2 = 4ax and y = e 2a (B) xy = a2 and x2 – y2 = b2
(C) y = ax and x2 + y2 = c2 (D) y2 = 4ax and x2 = 4by

Sol. (A) At point (x1, y1), their slopes are

x
−1 − 2a1

2y1y’ = 4a and y’ = e
2a
2a 1
y’ = and y’ = – y
y1 2a 1

2a  y 1 
product of their slopes = −  = −1
y 1  2a 
Hence orthogonal.
(B) xy = a2 and x2 – y2 = b2
x1y’ + y1 = 0 and 2x1 – 2y1 y’ = 0
y x
y’ = – 1 and y’ = 1
x1 y1
y 1 x1
product of their slopes: − . = −1
x1 y 1
Hence orthogonal.
(C) y = ax and x2 + y2 = c2
y’ = a and 2x1 + 2y1y’ = 0
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

y x
y’ = a = 1 and y’ = – 1
x1 y1

y 1  x1 
product of their slopes =  −  = −1
x 1  y 1 
Hence orthogonal.
(D) y2 = 4ax and x2 = 4by
When they intersect at (0, 0), they are
orthogonal.
Their other point of intersection,
x4
= 4ax
16b2
1 2
⇒ x = 0 and x3 = 64ab2 ⇒ x = 4a 3 b 3

14.
 2 1
y = 0 and y = 4a 3 b 3
1 2 2 1
so at (4a 3 b 3 m, 4a 3 ,b 3 ) their slopes,
2a 2a dy x 4a 1/3b2/3
y’= = and = =
y 4a2/3b1/3 dx 2b 2b
dy
= 2a 1/3b−1/3
dx
Product of their slopes is not equal to – 1.
So orthogonal at (0, 0) only

Q.2 Find angle of intersection of the curves x3 + y3 – 3xy = 0 and y2 = x at a point

other than origin.

Sol.
We have,
y6 + y3 – 3y3 = 0 ⇒ y6 – 2y3 = 0
⇒ y3(y3 – 2) = 0
⇒ y = 0, y = 21/3
for y = 21/3 ⇒ x = 22/3
so point is (41/3, 21/3) and (0, 0)
Slopes :
3x2 + 3y2y’ – 3xy’ – 3y = 0
y − x2
y' = 2
y −x
 1 1

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

at  4 3 , 2 3  , denominator is 0, hence tangent is parallel to y-axis.
 
 
1 1 1
and 2yy’ = 1 ⇒ y’ = = = 1/3
2y 2.2 1/3
16
angle, tanθ = 161/3
q = tan−1 (161/3 )

Q.3 Find the angle of intersection of the curves x2 + y2 = 5 and y = [|sinx| + |cosx|],
where [·] is greatest integer function.

Sol. g(x) = |sinx| + |cosx|

 π π
g(x) = 2 sin  x +  for 0 < x <
 4 2

15.


Hence, 1 ≤ |sinx| + |cosx| ≤ 2

and [|sinx| + |cosx|] = 1
So their point of intersection is (–2, 1) and (2, 1)
Now, slope of the curve [|sinx| + |cosx|] is 0
x
and 2x + 2yy’ = 0 ⇒ y’ = –
y
y’|(2,1) = – 2 and y’|(–2,1) = 2
hence tanθ = 2 ⇒ q = tan−1 2

Q.4 Find the condition for which the two curves a1x2 + b1y2 = 1 and a2x2 + b2y2 = 1
intersect orthogonally.

Sol. Suppose their point of intersection is (x1, y1)

−a 1x 1
then 2a1x1 + 2b1y1y’ = 0 ⇒ y’ =
b1 y 1
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

−a2 x 1
and 2a2x1 + 2b2y1y’ = 0 ⇒ y’ =
b2 y 1
product of their slopes = – 1
a x −a x
So we get, − 1 1 . 2 1 = – 1
b1 y 1 b2 y 1

a 1a2 x21
= −1 …(i)
b2b1 y 21

also a 1x21 + b1 y 21 = 1

a2 x21 + b2 y 21 = 1
by subtraction,
(a1 – a2) x21 + (b1 – b2) y 21 = 0

16.
 x21 (b − b2 )
=− 1 …(ii)
y12 (a 1 − a2 )
By (i) and (ii),
a 1a2  −(b1 − b2 ) 
  = −1
b1b2  (a 1 − a2 ) 

b1 − b2 a 1 − a2
⇒ =
b1b2 a 1a2
1 1 1 1
⇒ − = −
b2 b1 a2 a 1

⇒ 1 1 1 1
+ = +
a2 b1 a 1 b2

π
Q.5 ( ) (
Length of the normal to the curve x = a q + sin q , y = a 1 − cos q , at q = ) 2
is

a a
(A) 2a (B) a 2 (C) (D)
2 2

Sol. (B)
π dy sin q
At q = , = = 1 = tan α
2 dx 1 + cos q
 π
Length of normal = y sec α = a 2  y = a at q = 
 2

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

Q.6 Find the acute angle between the curves y = |x2 – 1| and y = |x2 – 3| at their
points of intersection.

Sol.
Points of intersection:
x2 − 1 = x2 − 3 (No solution)
Or
x2 − 1 = 3 − x2
⇒ x2 = 2 ⇒ x = 2, − 2
⇒ y 1 = x2 − 1 ; y 2 = 3 − x2
⇒ y 1 ' = m1 = 2x ; y 2 ' = m2 = −2x

=2 2 = −2 2

17.
 m1 − m2
tan q =
1 + m1m2

=
( )
2 2 − −2 2

1 + ( 2 2 )( −2 2 )

4 2 4 2 
tan q = ⇒ q = tan−1  
7  7 
 

 −x x 
Q.7  e a + ea 
 
The length of the normal to the curve y = a   at any point varies as
2
the
(A) abscissa of the point
(B) ordinate of the point
(C) square of the abscissa of the point
(D) Square of the ordinate of the point.

Sol. (D)
dy
Length of Normal = y sec q where tan q =
dx
 −x x 

dy a −e a e 
a
∴ =  + 
dx 2  a a 
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

 
 x 1 
 e a − e x/a 

= 
 2 
 
x
Let e a = α
⇒ Length of Normal = y sec q

2
 1 
a  1  α − 
= y 1 + tan2 q = α
α +  1 +  
2 α  2 
 
 

18.
 2
 1 
α+ 2
a 1  α
 a 1 y2

= α +    = α +  =
2 α  2  4 α a
 
 

So, length of normal varies as the square of ordinate of the point.

Q.8 The subtangent at any point on the curve xmyn = am+n varies as
(A) (abscissa)2 (B) (ordinate)2 (C) abscissa (D) Ordinate

Sol. (C)
dx
Length of subtangent = y
dy
xm yn = am+n
On differentiating, we get
mxm− 1 yn + nxm yn− 1 y ' = 0
⇒ my + nxy ' = 0
−my
⇒ y' =
nx

y nx
∴ Length of subtangent = =
 −my  m
 
 nx 

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

Q.9 Determine p such that the length of the sub-tangent and sub-normal is equal
for the curve y = epx + px at the point (0, 1).

dx
Sol. Length of subtangent = y
dy
dy
Length of subnormal = y
dx
dx dy
⇒ y = y
dy dx
2
 dy  dy
⇒  = 1⇒ = ±1
 dx  dx

19.
 ⇒ pepx + p = 1 or − 1 at x = 0
⇒ 2p = 1 or − 1
1 −1
⇒p= or
2 2

Q.10 Find the value of k so that the length of the subnormal at any point on the
curve y = a1–k xk is a constant.

dy
Sol. y
dx
= length of subnormal = constant

dy
= ka 1−k xk − 1
dx
dy
( )
2
y = k a 1−k x2k − 1 =constant
dx
1
⇒ 2k − 1 = 0 ⇒ k = .
2

Q.11 Prove that for the curve by2 = (x + a)3, the square of the subtangent varies as
the subnormal

Sol. (S.T.)2 ∝ (S.N.)
(S.T.)2 = k(S.N.)
(S.T.)2
=k
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

S.N.
Slope :
3(x + a)2
2bym = 3(x + a)2 ⇒ m =
2by

y.2by 3(x + a)2 y

Subtangent = and subnormal =
3(x + a)2 2by

(S.T.)2 4b2 y 4 2b
Now =
(S.N.) 9(x + a)4 .3(x + a)2

(S.T.)2 8b3 y 4 8b b2 y 4
= =
(S.N.) 27(x + a)6 27(x + a)6
(S.T.)2 8b
= = constant Hence proved.
(S.N.) 27

20.
Rate Measure
Functions will be differentiated with
respect to variable time ‘t’.

Q.1 If the area of circle increases at a uniform rate, prove that the rate of increase
of the perimeter varies inversely to its radius.

Sol. A=
dA
πr2
dr dr k
= k ⇒ π2r =k ⇒ =
dt dt dt 2πr
P= 2πr
dP dr 2πk k
= 2π = =
dt dt 2πk r
dP 1
∝ Hence proved.
dt r

Q.2 If the side of an equilateral triangle increase at a rate of 3 cm./sec. and area
increase at the rate of 12 cm2./sec, then the side of equilateral triangle is
(A) 2 (B) 4 (C) 6 (D) 8

Ans. (D)
3 2
Sol. A = 4
a

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

dA 3 da
= 2a
dt 4 dt
3
⇒ 12 = 2a 3 ⇒ a = 8
4

Q.3 The height of a triangle circular cone is 20 cm and is decreasing at the rate of
4cm/sec. At the same time, the radius is 10 cm and is increasing at the rate of
2 cm/sec. Find the rate of change of volume in cm3/sec.
100π 200π 400π 800π
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 3 3 3

Sol. (C)
h = 20 r = 10
dh dr
= − 4 =2
dt dt

21.
 π 2
V= rh
3
dV π  dr dh 
=  h.2r + r2 
dt 3 dt dt 
dV π
= [20.20.2 – 100 × 4]
dt 3
dV 400π
=
dt 3

Q.4 If the radius of a circle is increasing at a uniform rate of 2cm/s, find the rate of
increase of area of circle, at the instant when radius is 20 cm.

dr
Sol. dt
= 2cm / s

r = 20cm
A = πr2
dA dr
= 2πr
dt dt

= 2π 20 2 ( )
= 80π cm2 / sec

1 3
Q.5 If s =
2
t − 6t , find the acceleration at time when the velocity is zero. (s is

displacement).
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

ds 3t 2
Sol. V=
dt
=
2
−6

3t 2
⇒v =0= −6
2
⇒ t2 = 4
⇒ t = 2 sec .
dv
a = = 3t = 6 .
dt

22.
 Q.6
If r be the radius, S be the surface area and V be the volume of a spherical
bubble, prove that
dV dr dV
(i) = 4πr2 (ii) ∝r
dt dt ds
4 3
Sol. (i) V =
3
πr

⇒
dV 4
dt
= π 3r2
3
dr
dt
( )
dr
= 4πr 2
dt
(ii) S = 4πr2
dS dr

⇒ = 8πr
dt dt
dV dr
4πr2
dV dt dt
= =
dS dS dr
8πr
dt dt
dV r

⇒ =
dS 2
dV

⇒ ∝ r Hence proved.
dS

Q.7 If water is poured into an inverted hollow cone whose semi-vertical angle is
30°, its depth (measured along the axis) increases at the rate of 1 cm/sec. Find

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

the rate at which the volume of water increases when the depth is 24 cm.

dh
Sol. dt
= 1,h = 24

1 r
tan 30o = =
3 h
h
⇒r = =8 3
3
1 2 πh3
V= πr h =
3 9
dV 3πh2 dh π 24 24 ( )( )

dt
=
9 dt
=
3
( 1) = 192π cm3 / s

23.
 Q.8 A man who is 1.6 m tall walks away from a lamp which is 4 m above the
ground at the rate of 30 m/min. How fast is the man’s shadow lengthening?

2.4 1.6
Sol. x
=
y
2x
⇒y=
3
dy 2 dx
⇒ =
dt 3 dt
dx
= 30m / min
dt
dy 2
Rate of change of shadow = = × 30 = 20m / min
dt 3

2
Q.9 An aeroplane is flying horizontally at a height of
3
km with a velocity of 15 km/

hr. Find the rate at which it is receding from a fixed point on the ground which
it passed over 2 minutes ago.

Sol. Let x be the distance travelled by plane.

2
2 2
2
⇒ y =x + 
3
dy dx
⇒ 2y = 2x
dt dt
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

dy x dx
⇒ =
dt y dt
1
After 2 minute, x = km
2
2 2
2  1 5
y =   +  = km
3 2 6
1
dx dy
Also
dt
= 15km / hr ⇒
dt
= 2 15
5
( )
6
dy
⇒ = 9km / hr
dt

24.
 Q.10 The radius of the base of a cone is increasing at the rate of 3cm/minute and
the altitude is decreasing at the rate of 4cm/minute. The rate of change of
lateral surface area when the radius = 7cm and the altitude = 24 cm is
(A) 54π cm2 / min (B) 7 π cm2 / min
(C) 27 cm2 / min (D) None of these

Sol. (A)
S = πr
dS πrdl dr
= + π
dt dt dt
dr dh
= 3, =4
dt dt
 = r2 + h2
d 1  dr 2hdh 
=  2r + 
dt 2 r2 + h2  dt dt 
At r = 7,h = 24,  = 25
d 1
⇒ =
dt 2 × 25
(
2 × 7 × 3 + 2 × 24x −4 ( ))
1
=
25
(21 − 96 = −3)
dS
⇒
dt
( )( ) ( )( )
= π 7 −3 + π 25 3 = 54π cm2 / min

Q.11 A variable ∆ABC in the x-y plane has its orthocentre at vertex ‘B’, a fixed ‘A’ at

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

7x2
the origin and the third vertex ‘C’ restricted to lie on the parabola y = 1 + .
36
The point B starts at the point (0, 1) at time t = 0 and moves upwards of 2cm/
7
sec. How fast is the area of the triangle increasing when t = sec ?
2
1 72
Sol. Area =
2
(
1 + 2t ) 7
t

A=
7
(
18 1/2
t + 2t 3/2 )
dA 18  1 1 
=  + 3t 2 
dt 7 2 t 
 

25.
 7
∴ at t = ,
2
dA 18 1 2 7
=  +3 
dt 7 2 7 2 

3 66

= +9= cm2 / sec
7 7

Q.12 Water is flowing out at the rate of 6m /min from a reservoir shaped like a hem-
3

ispherical bowl of radius R = 13 m. The volume of water in the hemispherical

π 2
bowl is given by V =
3
( )
y 3R − y when the water is ‘y’ meter deep. Find

(a) At what rate is the water level changing when the water is 8m deep.
(b) At what rate is the radius of water surface changing when the water is 8 m
deep.

dV π   dy  2 dy 

Sol. (a)
dt 3 
( )
=  3R  2y  − 3y
dt 

dt 



⇒ −6 = π  13 2 8

dy
dt
− 82
dy 
dt 
( )( ) ( )
dy
⇒ −6 = π × 8 × 18

dt
dy −1

⇒ = m / min
dt 24π
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

( )
2
(b) R2 = r2 + R − y

⇒ r 2 = 2Ry − y 2

2rdr 2Rdy 2ydy
⇒ = −
dt dt dt
When y = 8, r = 12
dr dy dy
⇒ 2 × 12
= 2 × 13 −2×8
dt dt dt
dr 5  −1  −5

⇒ = = m / min
dt 12  24π  288π

26.
 Approximation :
∆y
Slope =
∆x
when ∆x → 0
∆y
 f '(x) …(i)
∆x
y = f(x)
y + ∆y = f(x + ∆x)
Subtraction gives,
∆y = f(x + ∆x) – f(x)
∆y
By (i),  f '(x) ⇒ f(x + ∆x) – f(x)  ∆x. f’(x)
∆x
f(x + ∆x) = f(x) + ∆x.f '(x)

Q.13 Find the approximate value of 101 .

Sol. Suppose y = f(x) = x

f(101) = 101 = 100 + 1
f(100 + 1) = 100 + 1
x = 100, ∆x = 1
1
and f’(x) =
2 x
1
then f(101) = f(100) + 1 .

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

2 x x = 100

1 1
= 10 + = 10 +
2 100 20
f(101) = 10.05

Q.14 Find the approximate value of 25 ( ) 3 .

Sol. Let y = x 3
x = 27 ⇒ y = 3
∆x = −2 (for given question)

27.
 ∆y 1 1 1
≈ = =
∆x 2 3 × 9 27
3x 3
∆x −2
∆y ≈ =
27 27
1
2 79 79
y + ∆y = 3 − = ∴ 25 3 ≈
27 27 27

Q.15 Find the approximate value of f(3.02) where f(x) = 3x 2

+ 5x + 3.

Sol. At x = 3, y = 27 + 15 + 3 = 45
( )
f ' x = 6x + 5

∆y
≈ 6x + 5
⇒
∆x
Here ∆x = 0.02
(
⇒ ∆y ≈ 6 × 3 + 5 0.02 )( )
⇒ ∆y ≈ 23 0.02 ( )
⇒ ∆y ≈ 0.46
( )
⇒ f 3.02 ≈ y + ∆y ≈ 45.46

Differential
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

y = f(x)
dy
= f '(x)
dx
It is a composite structure which is used to
make slope of the tangent at some point (x, y).
Differential of y i.e. ‘dy’ is defined as product
of derivative of f(x) w.r.t. x and differential of x
i.e. dx
dy = f '(x)dx

28.
 Q.1 Find the differential of y = sin x

Sol. dy = f’(x) dx
dy = cosx dx
d(sinx) = cosx dx

Q.2 Find the differential of y = tan–1u

Sol. dy = f’(u) du
1
d(tan–1u) = du
1 + u2

Q.3 Find the differential of y = sin-1x

Sol. dy = f’(x) dx
1
d(sin–1x) =
1 − x2
dx

Q.4 In an acute triangle ABC if sides a, b be constants and base angles A and B
dA dB
vary, then prove that =
a2 − b2 sin2 A b2 − a2 sin2 B

Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

a b
Sol. Using sine rule, =
sin A sinB
asinB = bsinA
d(asinB) = d(bsinA)
acosBdB = bcosAdA
dA dB
=
a cosB b cos A
dA dB
⇒ =
2 2
a (1 − sin B) b (1 − sin2 A)
2

dA dB
⇒ = Hence proved.
a2 − b2 sin2 A b2 − a2 sin2 B

29.
 Q.5 If in a triangle ABC, the side C and the angle C remain constant, while the
da db
remaining elements are changed slightly then + is equal to
cos A cosB
(A) 0 (B) 1 (C) –1 (D) None of these

Sol. (A)
a b C
= = = 2R = constant
sin A sinB sinB
⇒ a=2RsinA and b=2RsinB
⇒ da = 2R cos AdA and db = 2R cosB dB
da db
+ ⇒
cos A cosB
= 2R dA + dB ( )
Now A + B + C = π
⇒ A +B = π −C
⇒ dA + dB = 0 (C is constant)
dA dB
⇒ + =0
cos A cosB

Q.6 If a particle starts moving from (0, 0) and rate of change of its abscissa is 8
cm/s on the curve y = x , then the rate of change of area of triangle formed
by coordinate axes and tangent at a point reached after 2 sec. of start is
(A) 3 (B) 6 (C) 9 (D) 12
Application of Derivatives (Tangent and Normal)

dα 1
Sol. dt
= 8 , slope =
2 x
1
(y − α ) = (x − α )
2 α
α
put x = 0 y =
2
y = 0 x=–α
1 α 1
Area = α. = α3/2
2 2 4
dA 1 3 1/2 dα
= α
dt 42 dt
dA 1 3 dA
= . .4.8 = 12 ( ∵ α = 16) ⇒ = 12
dt 4 2 dt

30.