Lecture 11: Application of Derivative

11.1 Introduction
There are so many of applications of derivative found everywhere in the natural sciences and
engineering. The simplest 'everyday' use for derivatives is speed, velocity and acceleration of
bodies. It should be understandable that, on everything moves; the earth, cars, galaxies, wind in
motion its Acceleration is the derivative of velocityand we can say that, derivatives are rates of
changeand the rate of change in velocity is acceleration.We always use the derivative to determine
the maximum and minimum values of particular functions (e.g. cost, strength, amount of material
used in a building, profit, loss, etc.). On the other hand the Applications of derivatives are met in
many other problems, especially when modelling the behaviour of moving objects in the form of
dynamical systems.

Lecture Objectives
At the end of this lecture you should be able to:
(i) Describe simple everyday use of derivatives of spped, velocity and acceleration of
bodies.
(ii) Describe the rules governing the determination of derivatives of different functions.
(iii)Sketch and draw graphs of different functions
(iv) Identify the maxima, minima and point of inflexion of a function.

11.2 Rate of change, velocity, acceleration

s
We already have defined the velocity at any time t to be
t
dv
as dt → 0 and the acceleration a as as dt → 0 and in particular
dt
v  s s 2 ds 2 
a= = = = as dt → 0 .
t t t t 2 dt 2

   
 It can be shown that the distance s covered by a stone falling from rest at time t and

acceleration of 9.8 m is s = 4.9t2.

s2
dv d 2s
= 2 = 9.8
dt dt
Then V = 9.8 t + c.
Where t =0 , v =0 and hence c = 0
 v =9.8 t
ds
But v= = 9.8 t
dt
 s = 4.9t2 +c
When t = 0, s = 0
 s = 4.9t2 as obtained before.

Note that the displacement s, velocity v and acceleration a in a straight line are positive in one
direction and negative in the other. Further that displacement, velocity and acceleration are linked
together by the process of differentiation with respect to time. Conversely, acceleration velocity
and displacement are linked together by the process of integration with respect to time.

Take Note

i.e from a = 
dv  v = adt
and
dt
ds
from v= s
dt

Differentiate with respect to time. This can be summarized as follows:

Displacement Velocity Acceleration
s v a
11.3 Relative Maximum/Minimum

dy
Consider a functiony = f(x) . The tangents at points A,B, and C are parallel to the x- axis if =
dx
0. at those points. Points A and C are called relative maxima points. This means that the values of
y at points A and C are greater than at any points closer to A and C respectively. Points A and C
are local maxima points. On the other hand the value of y at B is less than the values of y at any
point near to B. Thus the point B is a minimum point on the curve. Here the points A, B and C are
called turning points.

P is a point on the curve whose tangent is parallel to the x-axis. The point P is neither a maximum
nor a minimum point but is called a point of inflexion. In general points A, B, C and P are called
stationary points. To determine maximum, minimum or points of inflection we have to
investigate the sign of the gradient at points close to and on either side of the points.

The above discussion can be summarised using the following tables:

 dy dy
If y = f (x) ; we consider = 0 and investigate the sign of to the right (R) and left
dx dx
(L) hand side of it as shown.
Value of x L dy R
dx
Sign of f (x) - 0 +

Minimum point
Value of x L dy R
dx
Sign of f (x) + -

Maximum point
Value of x L dy R
dx
Sign of f (x) - or + 0 - or +

In either of these examples, when sketching the graphs, the reader will find it necessary to find the
points at which the graphs cut the x-axis and y-axis and investigate the behaviour of the graphs in
the quadrants in which they are to be drawn. In some cases it might be necessary to determine the
maximum and minimum points when sketching the curves.

Take Note

To find stationary points on a curve y = f(x) and to distinguish between them.

dy
(i) Find the derivative of the curve.
dx
dy
(ii) Set = 0 to find all critical points
dx
dy
(iii) Consider the sign of on either side of these points.
dx
(iv) Find the values of y1, y2, y3… which correspond to x1, x2 , x3….
11.4 Sketch of Graphs
The instructions “plot the graph of …” and “sketch the graph of …” have very definite but distinct
meanings in Mathematics. The instruction “plot the graph of y = x2 for x = 0 to 5” means that the
necessary values of y should be calculated and the points should be accurately plotted on a graph
paper and the points should be joined with a smooth curve. In contrast, a sketch of a curve is to be
done on a plain or ordinary ruled paper with few points being plotted and important points being
marked. The sketch should convey the overall appearance of the graph throughout its domain.

Examples:
Sketch the graphs of
(i) y = x2

Solution
Things to note
(a) That the graph passes through the origin (0,0).
(b) That for all real values of x whether positive or negative, y is always positive.
(c) That the graph lies in the second and first quadrants and opens upwards as sketched below
(d) That the graph is symmetrical about the positive side of the y- axis
The graph of y = x 2
(ii) y = 2x +3

Solution
a. This is an equation of the form y = mx + c which is a straight line
b. It cuts the y–axis at y = 3
c. It has the x intercept as -1.5 the sketch of the graph is shown below.

The graph of y = 2 x + 3
(iii) y = x3
Solution
(a) The equation is a cubic one
(b) For all positive values of x, y is ever positive and negative for all negative values of x.
(c) That the graph lies in the first and third quadrants and passes through the origin as indicated
below.

The graph of y = x 3
(iv) y = (x+1) (x-1) (2-x)

Solution
Students should note that:
(i) The equation is a cubic one
(ii) Has x intercepts at -1, 1 and 2 respectively
(iii) The equation simplifies to y = x3 - 2x2 – x + 2
(iv) Has the y- intercept 2
(v) y become increasingly large for all x  2 and increasingly small for all x  −1

11.5 Newton – Raphson method

Suppose that x = xr is a good approximation for the solution of f(x) =0 and that the exact value is

= x +  for some small 

By Taylor’s theorem:
f( x+ ) = f(x) + f '(x) +…
Thus f(x) = f(x) + f '(x) +…
But f(x) =0 so
f ( x)
= .
f `( x)
Thus if xr is a good approximation for a root of f (x) = 0 then
f (− x r )
xr - . is a better approximation.
f '( xr )
The Newton Raphson iterative method is based on this statement. i.e.

Take Note
If xr is a good approximation for a root of f(x) = 0 then
f ( xr )
xr +1 = xr - is a better approximation.
f ' ( xr )

Note: When using the Newton. Raphson method, it can be assumed that the error obtained when
f ( xr )
finding xr +1 is less than the correction used to obtain xr +1
f ' ( xr )
from xr.
Geometrical Derivation of the Newton Raphson Method
To solve f(x) =0 , consider the graph of y = f(x). Suppose that the exact solution is x= x and the
initial close estimate is x0. Consider the tangent at (x0 , f(x0)) for which a better solution is given.
f (x0 )
X1= x0 - .
tan 
But tan θ is the gradient of the curve at (x0 , f(x0)) i.e tan θ = f(x0)
f ( x0 )
Thus if x0 is the initial approximation, a better approximation is x1 = x0 -
f ' ( x0 )
f ( x1) f ( x2 )
Similarly x2 = x1 - . and x3 = x2 - etc
f ' ( x1) f ' ( x2 )

Take Note
Hence the general rule is:
f ( xr )
Xr+1 = xr - , x0 given
f ' ( xr )

Example: Use the Newton-Raphson method to determine the root of the equation:
x3- x = 2 lying in the interval -2 ≤x≥ 2 giving the answer correct to three decimal places.

Solution
If f(x) = x3-x-2 then f /(x) = 3x 2 − 1

( x − x −2)
3
f ( xr )
Thus using xr+1 = xr - we have xr+1 = xr - r 2 r
f ' ( xr ) (3x r −1)
(1 − 1 − 2)
If x0 =1 . x1 = 1 – [ ] =2
3(1) 2 −1)

( 2 3 −2 − 2 4
x2= 2- [ ] = 2- = 1.64
3(2 ) − 1
2
11

Continuing the same process we finally get x 5 = 1.52138 and the required root correct to 3

decimal places is x = 1.521.

Summary
In this lecture we have leaned the following:
(i) What a derivative of a function is and in particular derivatives form the basis of
differentiation of functions.
(ii) The rules governing the determination of derivatives of different functions.
(iii) The maxima, minima and point of inflexion of a function and how these can be identified.
(iv) The difference between sketching and drawing the graph of a function and the basic things
necessary when drawing any of the two.
(v) Practical applications of derivatives in daily lives.

Exercises
The exercises given below are not all that much exhaustive. Students can find and do more
additional exercises from the referral books and any other books dealing with calculus as a
whole.

1. Find from first principles the derivatives of the following functions

(a) y = f(x) = 5x3 (b) y = f(x) = y = 4x2 +5 x

2. Find the derivatives of

 (a) y = f(x) = ( x3 + 3Sin x)5
Sinx
(b) y = f ( x) =
1 + 2 cos x
(c) y = f ( x) = ln( x 2 − 1)

(d) y = f ( x) = ( x 2 + 3x + 7) 5

3. Find the co-ordinates of stationary points on the curves.

(a) y = ( x − 1)(x 2 − 6 x + 2)

(b) y = ( x 3 + 3x + 7) 5

4. Sketch the graphs of the following functions.

(a) y = 5 + 4 x − x 2 (b) y = x 3 − 3x + 4

 8 for x  −3
x+5 

(c) y = (d) y =  x 2 − 1 for − 3  x  2
x 
 3 for x  2

5. Use the Newton – Raphson method to obtain a root of each of the following equations using
the given initial values of x0

(a) x 3 − 5 x − 2 = 0 , x0 = 2 to 3 decimal places

(b) x 2 − 2 x − 5 = 0 , x0 = 4 to 4 decimal places

(c) Sinx = x − 12 , ( x is in radians), x0 = 1 to 4 decimal places.

References
Goyal, N. M. and Watikins, C. (2007). Advanced Engineering Mathematics: Computer
approach (7thEdition). Bali: Firewall Media.
Khan, R.N. and Hill, D. (2017). Mathematics Fundamentals. Bookboon
Kreyszig, E. (2006). Advanced Engineering Mathematics (8th Edition). John Wiley &
Sons Inc.
Shah, S.K. and Garg, S.C. (2017). A Textbook of Algebra. S. Chand Publishing.
Stroud, K. A. (2003). Advanced Engineering Mathematics (4th Edition). Macmillan.
Tylor, C.K. (2013). An Introduction to Abstract Algebra.Ventus Publishing ApS.
Werner, F. (2016). A Refresher Course in Mathematics. Bookboon.