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NCERT Solutions · Class 12 Maths · NCERT Mathematics Part I and II Part I · Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Application of Derivatives (Calculus)

Step-by-step solutions to all exercises of Chapter 6, Application of Derivatives (NCERT Class 12 Maths Part I, 2026-27): Exercise 6.1 (rate of change), 6.2 (increasing and decreasing functions), 6.3 (maxima and minima, including word problems on boxes, cylinders and cones) and the Miscellaneous Exercise. All 82 questions are answered, with the key answer highlighted.

NCERT textbook Chapter 6 (PDF)

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Free NCERT solutions by Notes Bazar · www.notesbazar.in/ncert-solutions/class-12-maths/chapter-6-application-of-derivatives

Rate of change: . f is increasing where and decreasing where . At a critical point c (): ⇒ local maximum, ⇒ local minimum. Absolute max/min on [a, b]: compare f at the critical points and at the end points.

Exercise 6.1

1
Find the rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r when (a) r = 3 cm (b) r = 4 cm
Solution

.

(a) (b)

(a) 6π cm²/cm (b) 8π cm²/cm

2
The volume of a cube is increasing at the rate of 8 cm³/s. How fast is the surface area increasing when the length of an edge is 12 cm?
Solution

cm/s.

.

cm²/s

3
The radius of a circle is increasing uniformly at the rate of 3 cm/s. Find the rate at which the area of the circle is increasing when the radius is 10 cm.
Solution

.

60π cm²/s

4
An edge of a variable cube is increasing at the rate of 3 cm/s. How fast is the volume of the cube increasing when the edge is 10 cm long?
Solution

.

900 cm³/s

5
A stone is dropped into a quiet lake and waves move in circles at the speed of 5 cm/s. At the instant when the radius of the circular wave is 8 cm, how fast is the enclosed area increasing?
Solution

.

80π cm²/s

6
The radius of a circle is increasing at the rate of 0.7 cm/s. What is the rate of increase of its circumference?
Solution

.

1.4π cm/s

7
The length x of a rectangle is decreasing at the rate of 5 cm/minute and the width y is increasing at the rate of 4 cm/minute. When x = 8 cm and y = 6 cm, find the rates of change of (a) the perimeter, and (b) the area of the rectangle.
Solution

, .

(a) : cm/min (decreasing).

(b) : cm²/min.

(a) −2 cm/min (b) 2 cm²/min

8
A balloon, which always remains spherical on inflation, is being inflated by pumping in 900 cubic centimetres of gas per second. Find the rate at which the radius of the balloon increases when the radius is 15 cm.
Solution

.

.

cm/s

9
A balloon, which always remains spherical has a variable radius. Find the rate at which its volume is increasing with the radius when the later is 10 cm.
Solution

.

400π cm³/cm

10
A ladder 5 m long is leaning against a wall. The bottom of the ladder is pulled along the ground, away from the wall, at the rate of 2 cm/s. How fast is its height on the wall decreasing when the foot of the ladder is 4 m away from the wall?
Solution

Let the foot be x m from the wall and the top y m high: . When , .

Differentiate: cm/s.

The height decreases at cm/s.

11
A particle moves along the curve 6y = x³ + 2. Find the points on the curve at which the y-coordinate is changing 8 times as fast as the x-coordinate.
Solution

. With : .

: . : .

(4, 11) and

12
The radius of an air bubble is increasing at the rate of 1/2 cm/s. At what rate is the volume of the bubble increasing when the radius is 1 cm?
Solution

.

2π cm³/s

13
A balloon, which always remains spherical, has a variable diameter . Find the rate of change of its volume with respect to x.
Solution

Radius , so .

.

14
Sand is pouring from a pipe at the rate of 12 cm³/s. The falling sand forms a cone on the ground in such a way that the height of the cone is always one-sixth of the radius of the base. How fast is the height of the sand cone increasing when the height is 4 cm?
Solution

. .

.

cm/s

15
The total cost C (x) in Rupees associated with the production of x units of an item is given by C (x) = 0.007x³ – 0.003x² + 15x + 4000. Find the marginal cost when 17 units are produced.
Solution

.

.

₹20.967

16
The total revenue in Rupees received from the sale of x units of a product is given by R (x) = 13x² + 26x + 15. Find the marginal revenue when x = 7.
Solution

; .

₹208

17
The rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r at r = 6 cm is (A) 10π (B) 12π (C) 8π (D) 11π
Solution

.

(B)

18
The total revenue in Rupees received from the sale of x units of a product is given by R(x) = 3x² + 36x + 5. The marginal revenue, when x = 15 is (A) 116 (B) 96 (C) 90 (D) 126
Solution

; .

(D)

Exercise 6.2

1
Show that the function given by f (x) = 3x + 17 is increasing on R.
Solution

for all x.

f′(x) = 3 > 0, so f is increasing on R.

2
Show that the function given by f (x) = e²ˣ is increasing on R.
Solution

for all x.

f′(x) = 2e²ˣ > 0, so f is increasing on R.

3
Show that the function given by f (x) = sin x is (a) increasing in (0, π/2) (b) decreasing in (π/2, π) (c) neither increasing nor decreasing in (0, π)
Solution

.

(a) On , : increasing.

(b) On , : decreasing.

(c) On , f′ changes sign at , so f is neither increasing nor decreasing there.

Shown using the sign of cos x.

4
Find the intervals in which the function f given by f (x) = 2x² – 3x is (a) increasing (b) decreasing
Solution

. for , for .

(a) (b)

5
Find the intervals in which the function f given by f (x) = 2x³ – 3x² – 36x + 7 is (a) increasing (b) decreasing
Solution

.

Sign: on , on , on .

(a) (−∞, −2) and (3, ∞) (b) (−2, 3)

6
Find the intervals in which the following functions are strictly increasing or decreasing: (a) x² + 2x – 5 (b) 10 – 6x – 2x² (c) –2x³ – 9x² – 12x + 1 (d) 6 – 9x – x² (e) (x + 1)³ (x – 3)³
Solution

(a) : decreasing for , increasing for .

(b) : increasing for , decreasing for .

(c) : positive for ; negative for and .

(d) : increasing for , decreasing for .

(e) . The squares are ≥ 0, so the sign is that of .

(a) dec x < −1, inc x > −1. (b) inc x < −3/2, dec x > −3/2. (c) inc −2 < x < −1; dec x < −2 and x > −1. (d) inc x < −9/2, dec x > −9/2. (e) inc on (1, 3) and (3, ∞); dec on (−∞, −1) and (−1, 1).

7
Show that , x > – 1, is an increasing function of x throughout its domain.
Solution

For , the denominator is positive and , so (zero only at the single point ).

dy/dx = x²/[(1 + x)(2 + x)²] ≥ 0, so y is increasing for x > −1.

8
Find the values of x for which y = [x(x – 2)]² is an increasing function.
Solution

; .

Sign: for , for , for , for .

0 < x < 1 and x > 2

9
Prove that is an increasing function of θ in [0, π/2].
Solution

On , and , so (zero only at ).

dy/dθ = cos θ(4 − cos θ)/(2 + cos θ)² ≥ 0, so y is increasing.

10
Prove that the logarithmic function is increasing on (0, ∞).
Solution

, for .

f′(x) = 1/x > 0 on (0, ∞).

11
Prove that the function f given by f (x) = x² – x + 1 is neither strictly increasing nor decreasing on (– 1, 1).
Solution

: negative on and positive on . f decreases and then increases, so it is neither on the whole interval.

f′ changes sign at x = 1/2.

12
Which of the following functions are decreasing on (0, π/2)? (A) cos x (B) cos 2x (C) cos 3x (D) tan x
Solution

(A) ✔. (B) as ✔. (C) when , so not decreasing throughout. (D) , increasing.

(A) and (B)

13
On which of the following intervals is the function f given by f (x) = x¹⁰⁰ + sin x – 1 decreasing? (A) (0, 1) (B) (π/2, π) (C) (0, π/2) (D) None of these
Solution

.

On (0, 1) and (0, π/2): both terms ≥ 0 and the sum is positive. On (π/2, π): , so , hence . f is increasing on all three.

(D)

14
For what values of a the function f given by f (x) = x² + ax + 1 is increasing on [1, 2]?
Solution

. Its least value on [1, 2] is at : . Need .

a > −2

15
Let I be any interval disjoint from [–1, 1]. Prove that the function f given by is increasing on I.
Solution

. On I, , so and .

f′(x) > 0 for |x| > 1, so f is increasing on I.

16
Prove that the function f given by f (x) = log sin x is increasing on (0, π/2) and decreasing on (π/2, π).
Solution

: positive on , negative on .

f′(x) = cot x: > 0 on (0, π/2), < 0 on (π/2, π).

17
Prove that the function f given by f (x) = log |cos x| is decreasing on (0, π/2) and increasing on (3π/2, 2π).
Solution

. On , . On , .

f′(x) = −tan x gives the required signs.

18
Prove that the function given by f (x) = x³ – 3x² + 3x – 100 is increasing in R.
Solution

, zero only at .

f′(x) = 3(x − 1)² ≥ 0, so f is increasing on R.

19
The interval in which y = x² e⁻ˣ is increasing is (A) (– ∞, ∞) (B) (– 2, 0) (C) (2, ∞) (D) (0, 2)
Solution

for .

(D)

Exercise 6.3

1
Find the maximum and minimum values, if any, of the following functions given by (i) f (x) = (2x – 1)² + 3 (ii) f (x) = 9x² + 12x + 2 (iii) f (x) = – (x – 1)² + 10 (iv) g (x) = x³ + 1
Solution

(i) , so , equality at . Min = 3; no maximum (f grows without bound).

(ii) . Min = −2 (at ); no maximum.

(iii) , so . Max = 10 (at ); no minimum.

(iv) takes all real values, so it has neither.

(i) min 3 (ii) min −2 (iii) max 10 (iv) neither max nor min.

2
Find the maximum and minimum values, if any, of the following functions given by (i) f (x) = | x + 2 | – 1 (ii) g (x) = – | x + 1| + 3 (iii) h (x) = sin (2x) + 5 (iv) f (x) = | sin 4x + 3| (v) h (x) = x + 1, x ∈ (– 1, 1)
Solution

(i) (at ). Min −1; no max.

(ii) (at ). Max 3; no min.

(iii) . Min 4, max 6.

(iv) , so lies in [2, 4]. Min 2, max 4.

(v) On the open interval (−1, 1), takes values in (0, 2) but never reaches 0 or 2.

(i) min −1 (ii) max 3 (iii) min 4, max 6 (iv) min 2, max 4 (v) neither max nor min.

3
Find the local maxima and local minima, if any, of the following functions. Find also the local maximum and the local minimum values: (i) f (x) = x² (ii) g (x) = x³ – 3x (iii) h (x) = sin x + cos x, 0 < x < π/2 (iv) f (x) = sin x – cos x, 0 < x < 2π (v) f (x) = x³ – 6x² + 9x + 15 (vi) , x > 0 (vii) (viii) , 0 < x < 1
Solution

(i) ; . Local min at 0, value 0.

(ii) ; . At : , local min . At : , local max .

(iii) ; . Local max at , value .

(iv) . : at it is (local max ); at it is (local min ).

(v) ; . At 1: , local max . At 3: , local min .

(vi) (); . Local min .

(vii) ; g′ changes from + to −. Local max .

(viii) ; f′ changes from + to −. Local max .

(i) min 0 at 0 (ii) max 2 at −1, min −2 at 1 (iii) max √2 at π/4 (iv) max √2 at 3π/4, min −√2 at 7π/4 (v) max 19 at 1, min 15 at 3 (vi) min 2 at 2 (vii) max 1/2 at 0 (viii) max 2√3/9 at 2/3

4
Prove that the following functions do not have maxima or minima: (i) f (x) = eˣ (ii) g (x) = log x (iii) h (x) = x³ + x² + x + 1
Solution

(i) never zero: f is strictly increasing.

(ii) for , never zero.

(iii) ; discriminant and leading coefficient positive, so always.

In each case f′ never vanishes, so there is no local maximum or minimum.

The derivative never becomes zero, so no maxima or minima.

5
Find the absolute maximum value and the absolute minimum value of the following functions in the given intervals: (i) f (x) = x³, x ∈ [– 2, 2] (ii) f (x) = sin x + cos x, x ∈ [0, π] (iii) , x ∈ [−2, 9/2] (iv) f (x) = (x – 1)² + 3, x ∈ [– 3, 1]
Solution

(i) . , , .

(ii) . , , .

(iii) . , , .

(iv) . , .

(i) max 8, min −8 (ii) max √2, min −1 (iii) max 8, min −10 (iv) max 19, min 3

6
Find the maximum profit that a company can make, if the profit function is given by p (x) = 41 – 72x – 18x²
Solution

; , a maximum.

.

Maximum profit = 113 units

7
Find both the maximum value and the minimum value of 3x⁴ – 8x³ + 12x² – 48x + 25 on the interval [0, 3].
Solution

, zero only at .

, , .

Maximum 25 (at x = 0), minimum −39 (at x = 2).

8
At what points in the interval [0, 2π], does the function sin 2x attain its maximum value?
Solution

(both in [0, 2π]).

and

9
What is the maximum value of the function sin x + cos x?
Solution

, with equality at . (Or: at , .)

√2

10
Find the maximum value of 2x³ – 24x + 107 in the interval [1, 3]. Find the maximum value of the same function in [–3, –1].
Solution

.

On [1, 3]: , , . Max 89 at .

On [−3, −1]: , , . Max 139 at .

89 (at x = 3) on [1, 3]; 139 (at x = −2) on [−3, −1].

11
It is given that at x = 1, the function x⁴ – 62x² + ax + 9 attains its maximum value, on the interval [0, 2]. Find the value of a.
Solution

. At an interior maximum, : .

a = 120

12
Find the maximum and minimum values of x + sin 2x on [0, 2π].
Solution

.

, , , , , .

Maximum 2π (at x = 2π), minimum 0 (at x = 0).

13
Find two numbers whose sum is 24 and whose product is as large as possible.
Solution

; ; .

12 and 12

14
Find two positive numbers x and y such that x + y = 60 and xy³ is maximum.
Solution

; (x = 60 gives y = 0). P′ changes from + to − at 15.

x = 15, y = 45

15
Find two positive numbers x and y such that their sum is 35 and the product x² y⁵ is a maximum.
Solution

; .

(P′ changes from + to −).

x = 10, y = 25

16
Find two positive numbers whose sum is 16 and the sum of whose cubes is minimum.
Solution

; ; .

8 and 8

17
A square piece of tin of side 18 cm is to be made into a box without top, by cutting a square from each corner and folding up the flaps to form the box. What should be the side of the square to be cut off so that the volume of the box is the maximum possible.
Solution

Cut squares of side x: , .

(x = 9 gives no box).

; at : , maximum.

3 cm

18
A rectangular sheet of tin 45 cm by 24 cm is to be made into a box without top, by cutting off square from each corner and folding up the flaps. What should be the side of the square to be cut off so that the volume of the box is maximum?
Solution

, .

(18 is not allowed).

; at 5: , maximum.

5 cm

19
Show that of all the rectangles inscribed in a given fixed circle, the square has the maximum area.
Solution

Let the circle have radius r; the diagonal of the rectangle is 2r. Sides x and .

. ; second derivative , maximum.

Then the other side : both sides equal.

Maximum when x = √2 r = other side, i.e. a square.

20
Show that the right circular cylinder of given surface and maximum volume is such that its height is equal to the diameter of the base.
Solution

(fixed) .

.

; .

Then .

At maximum volume, h = 2r = diameter.

21
Of all the closed cylindrical cans (right circular), of a given volume of 100 cubic centimetres, find the dimensions of the can which has the minimum surface area?
Solution

. .

; , minimum.

.

cm, cm

22
A wire of length 28 m is to be cut into two pieces. One of the pieces is to be made into a square and the other into a circle. What should be the length of the two pieces so that the combined area of the square and the circle is minimum?
Solution

Square piece x (side ), circle piece (radius ).

; .

, minimum. Circle piece .

Square: m, circle: m

23
Prove that the volume of the largest cone that can be inscribed in a sphere of radius R is 8/27 of the volume of the sphere.
Solution

Let the base of the cone be at distance x from the centre (on the far side from the vertex). Height , base radius² .

. (V′ changes + to −).

.

Largest cone = (8/27) × volume of sphere.

24
Show that the right circular cone of least curved surface and given volume has an altitude equal to √2 times the radius of the base.
Solution

(fixed) . Curved surface .

Minimise .

.

Second derivative , a minimum.

h = √2 r

25
Show that the semi-vertical angle of the cone of the maximum volume and of given slant height is tan⁻¹ √2.
Solution

Slant height l fixed, semi-vertical angle θ: , .

. .

V′ changes from + to − there, so it is a maximum: .

θ = tan⁻¹ √2

26
Show that semi-vertical angle of right circular cone of given surface area and maximum volume is sin⁻¹ (1/3).
Solution

(fixed) .

.

(second derivative , maximum).

Then .

θ = sin⁻¹ (1/3)

27
The point on the curve x² = 2y which is nearest to the point (0, 5) is (A) (2√2, 4) (B) (2√2, 0) (C) (0, 0) (D) (2, 2)
Solution

. , .

(A)

28
For all real values of x, the minimum value of is (A) 0 (B) 1 (C) 3 (D) 1/3
Solution

.

, , and as . Min .

(D)

29
The maximum value of , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 is (A) (1/3)^(1/3) (B) 1/2 (C) 1 (D) 0
Solution

on [0, 1] has least value at and greatest value 1 at and . So the maximum is .

(C)

Miscellaneous Exercise on Chapter 6

1
Show that the function given by has maximum at x = e.
Solution

.

; at : .

f′(e) = 0 and f″(e) < 0, so f has a maximum at x = e (value 1/e).

2
The two equal sides of an isosceles triangle with fixed base b are decreasing at the rate of 3 cm per second. How fast is the area decreasing when the two equal sides are equal to the base?
Solution

Equal sides x: height , so .

.

At , : .

The area decreases at √3 b cm²/s.

3
Find the intervals in which the function f given by is (i) increasing (ii) decreasing.
Solution

, so (as in Ex 6.2 Q9) .

Since , the sign of f′ is the sign of cos x. Taking :

(i) Increasing on and (ii) decreasing on

4
Find the intervals in which the function f given by , x ≠ 0 is (i) increasing (ii) decreasing.
Solution

. Positive when , i.e. ; negative when .

(i) x < −1 and x > 1 (ii) −1 < x < 1, x ≠ 0

5
Find the maximum area of an isosceles triangle inscribed in the ellipse with its vertex at one end of the major axis.
Solution

Vertex at ; the other two vertices .

.

(a maximum).

.

6
A tank with rectangular base and rectangular sides, open at the top is to be constructed so that its depth is 2 m and volume is 8 m³. If building of tank costs Rs 70 per sq metres for the base and Rs 45 per square metre for sides. What is the cost of least expensive tank?
Solution

Base with , .

Cost .

, ; .

.

₹1000

7
The sum of the perimeter of a circle and square is k, where k is some constant. Prove that the sum of their areas is least when the side of square is double the radius of the circle.
Solution

. .

.

, a minimum.

Least total area when a = 2r.

8
A window is in the form of a rectangle surmounted by a semicircular opening. The total perimeter of the window is 10 m. Find the dimensions of the window to admit maximum light through the whole opening.
Solution

Let the rectangle be 2r wide and y high (semicircle radius r). Perimeter: .

.

; , maximum.

Width ; .

Rectangle: length m, width (height) m

9
A point on the hypotenuse of a triangle is at distance a and b from the sides of the triangle. Show that the minimum length of the hypotenuse is .
Solution

Let the hypotenuse make angle θ with one leg. The point splits it into and , so , .

(L′ changes − to +, a minimum).

Then , .

.

10
Find the points at which the function f given by f (x) = (x – 2)⁴ (x + 1)³ has (i) local maxima (ii) local minima (iii) point of inflexion
Solution

.

Critical points: .

Sign of f′: for , for , for , for .

(i) local max at x = 2/7 (ii) local min at x = 2 (iii) point of inflexion at x = −1

11
Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of the function f given by f (x) = cos² x + sin x, x ∈ [0, π]
Solution

.

, , , , .

Absolute max 5/4 (at π/6, 5π/6); absolute min 1 (at 0, π/2, π).

12
Show that the altitude of the right circular cone of maximum volume that can be inscribed in a sphere of radius r is 4r/3.
Solution

As in Ex 6.3 Q23 (with R = r): , maximum at , so altitude .

Altitude = 4r/3

13
Let f be a function defined on [a, b] such that f ′(x) > 0, for all x ∈ (a, b). Then prove that f is an increasing function on (a, b).
Solution

Take in (a, b). f is differentiable (hence continuous) on , so by the Mean Value Theorem there is c in with .

Since and , .

x₁ < x₂ ⇒ f(x₁) < f(x₂), so f is increasing.

14
Show that the height of the cylinder of maximum volume that can be inscribed in a sphere of radius R is 2R/√3. Also find the maximum volume.
Solution

Cylinder height h, radius ρ: .

. ; .

.

h = 2R/√3; maximum volume

15
Show that height of the cylinder of greatest volume which can be inscribed in a right circular cone of height h and semi vertical angle α is one-third that of the cone and the greatest volume of cylinder is (4/27)πh³ tan² α.
Solution

Cylinder height H, radius x. By similar triangles, .

. (V′ changes + to −).

.

H = h/3, V = (4/27)πh³ tan² α

16
A cylindrical tank of radius 10 m is being filled with wheat at the rate of 314 cubic metre per hour. Then the depth of the wheat is increasing at the rate of (A) 1 m/h (B) 0.1 m/h (C) 1.1 m/h (D) 0.5 m/h
Solution

(π = 3.14).

(A)

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