Chapter 3: Applications of

Differentiation Review
Section 3.1: Extreme Values of Functions
Types of extrema
Absolute
max
Local minimum: lowest point in

the neighborhood Local max

Local maximum: highest point in
the neighborhood

Absolute minimum: lowest point

Local min
in the entire function

Absolute
Absolute maximum: highest
min
point in the entire function

Absolute can not be determined unless the function is on a closed interval.

 1. Take the derivative
Finding Critical Points 2. Set the derivative equal to zero
3. Solve for x

1. Find the critical points of the function 2. Find the critical points of the function
f(x)= x3-9x2+15x+3 f(x)= sin(x) on the interval [0, 2]

x= 5,1 x= /2, 3/2

 1. Take the derivative
Finding Extrema 2. Solve for critical points
3. Evaluate critical points AND endpoints
4. Classify points

1. Find all extreme values of f(x)= 3x2-9x+2 2. Find all extreme values of f(x)= 2x3-3x2-12x
on the interval [1,3]

Abs max: (3,2) Max: (-1, 7)

Abs min: (3/2, -4.75) Min: (2, -20)
Rolles Theorem
If f(x) is continuous on the interval [a,b] and f(a)=f(b) - or the function starts
and stops at the same point - then theres a value c such that f(c)=0.

Checklist

1. f(x) is continuous on
closed interval [a,b]

2. f(x) is differentiable on
open interval (a,b)

3. Endpoints y-values are

the same: f(a)=f(b)

f(x) must change directions at some point, so there must be a horizontal tangent line
 Practice
1. Find all values of c that satisfy Rolles theorem for f(x)= x(1-x) on the interval [0,1]

Step 1: Check interval

Step 2: Take the derivative and solve for c

c= 1/2
Section 3.2: Mean Value Theorem
If f(x) is differentiable on a closed interval [a,b], then there is some point c
where the slope of the secant line is equal to the slope of the tangent line

Checklist for MVT

Tangent line - Closed interval

- Differentiable
- Solve for c

f(c)= f(b)-f(a)
b-a

Secant line

 Steps
Practice 1. Find f(a) and f(b)
2. Fill in the formula to find c
3. Check the interval

1. Find the values of c that satisfy MVT for f(x)= 3x2+5x-2 on the interval [-1,1]

c= 0
Section 3.3: Connecting Derivatives to the Graph
Part 1
If f(x)>0, or positive, then f is increasing

If f(x)<0, or negative, then f is decreasing

f(x)<0 f(x)>0

f(x)=0
 Steps

Practice 1.
2.
3.
Find the first derivative
Set f(x)= 0
f(x) test

1. Determine the intervals where the 2. Determine the intervals where the
following function is increasing and following function is increasing and
decreasing: f(x)= x4-8x2 decreasing: f(x)= 4x
x2+1
Section 3.3: Connecting Derivatives to the Graph
Part 2
The second derivative test tells us concavity

If f(x)>0, or positive, then f is concave up

If f(x)<0, or negative, then f is concave down

Concave down Concave up

Point of inflection: where the graph changes concavity

 Steps
Practice 1. Find the second derivative
2. Set f(x)= 0
3. f(x) test and evaluate inflection points

1. Find all inflection points and determine the 2. Find all inflection points and determine
intervals of concavity for f(x)= x3-5x2+3x+6 the intervals of concavity for f(x)= x4-4x3
Curve Sketching
Steps

1. Intercepts
2. Discontinuities
3. Critical points
4. Increasing/decreasing: f(x) test
5. Maxima and minima
6. Concavity: f(x) test
7. Inflection points: change in
concavity
Practice
Sketch the graph: y= -x3-6x2-9x-4
Practice
Sketch the graph: x-3
x+8
 Section 3.4: Modeling and Optimization
Example: A farmer has 2400 ft of fencing and
Steps
wants to fence off a rectangular field that borders
a straight river. He needs no fence along the river.
1. Determine your constraint and what What are the dimensions of the field that has the
youre minimizing/maximizing largest area?
(sketch out the situation)
2. Substitute into max or min function Whats the constraint?
by making everything in terms of one
variable (isolate constraint)
3. Find the derivative and set equal to What is being maximized?
zero
4. Solve for the variable

Remember: Youre taking the derivative of whatever youre maximizing or minimizing

Practice
A rectangle has its base on the x-axis and its two upper corners on the parabola y= 12-x2.
What is the largest possible area of the rectangle?

A= 32 units
 1997 AP Calculus AB Exam

Practice
If y = 2x 8, what is the minimum value of the product xy?

-16
Practice
What is the radius of a cylindrical soda can with a volume of 512 cubic inches that will use
the minimum amount of material?

r= (256/)
 Section 3.5: Linearization and Differentials
Approximating the value of a function Steps
by using a value that we already know 1. Identify f(x), f(x), x and a
2. Plug values in for either
formula
Linearization 3. If you use the differential
formula, subtract dy from f(x)
L(x)= f(x)+f(x)(a-x)
Ex. Approximate 36.03

Differentials f(x)= x x= 36
a=36.03 dx= 0.03
dy= f(x) dx f(x)= 1/2x
Practice
1. Approximate 25.02 2. Approximate 63.97

5.002 3.999
Practice
When a spherical ball is heated, its radius increases by 0.01 mm. Estimate the change in
volume of the ball when the radius is 5 mm.

3.142 mm3
Section 3.6: Related Rates
Oil spilling from a ruptured tanker spreads in a circle on the surface of the ocean. The radius of
the spill increases at a rate of 7 m/min. How fast is the area of the spill increasing when the
radius is 9 m?

A= 126 m2/min
 Practice
A spherical snowball is rolled in fresh snow, causing it grow at a rate of 32/3 in/sec. How fast is
the radius of the snowball increasing when the radius is 7 in?

r'= 8/147 in/sec

 Practice
A conical paper cup is 20 cm tall with a radius of 10 cm. The cup is being filled with water at a
rate of 2/3 cm/sec. How fast is the water level rising when the water level is 9 cm?

h= 8/243 cm/sec