1.07n Stationary points: find maxima, minima using derivatives

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Edexcel P1 2021 October Q7
10 marks Standard +0.3
7. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f1e1d4f5-dd27-4839-a6f3-f6906666302c-18_428_894_210_525} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} Figure 3 shows the design for a sign at a bird sanctuary.
The design consists of a kite \(O A B C\) joined to a sector \(O C X A\) of a circle centre \(O\).
In the design
  • \(O A = O C = 0.6 \mathrm {~m}\)
  • \(A B = C B = 1.4 \mathrm {~m}\)
  • Angle \(O A B =\) Angle \(O C B = 2\) radians
  • Angle \(A O C = \theta\) radians, as shown in Figure 3
Making your method clear,
  1. show that \(\theta = 1.64\) radians to 3 significant figures,
  2. find the perimeter of the sign, in metres to 2 significant figures,
  3. find the area of the sign, in \(\mathrm { m } ^ { 2 }\) to 2 significant figures.
Edexcel C12 2014 January Q13
14 marks Moderate -0.3
13. The curve \(C\) has equation $$y = \frac { ( x - 3 ) ( 3 x - 25 ) } { x } , \quad x > 0$$
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) in a fully simplified form.
  2. Hence find the coordinates of the turning point on the curve \(C\).
  3. Determine whether this turning point is a minimum or maximum, justifying your answer. The point \(P\), with \(x\) coordinate \(2 \frac { 1 } { 2 }\), lies on the curve \(C\).
  4. Find the equation of the normal at \(P\), in the form \(a x + b y + c = 0\), where \(a\), b and \(c\) are integers. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{e878227b-d625-4ef2-ac49-a9dc05c5321a-35_90_72_2631_1873}
Edexcel C12 2015 January Q15
11 marks Moderate -0.3
15. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{3b99072a-cd16-4c1d-9e44-085926a3ba24-24_591_570_255_678} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 5}
\end{figure} Figure 5 shows a sketch of part of the curve \(C\) with equation $$y = x ^ { 3 } + 10 x ^ { \frac { 3 } { 2 } } + k x , \quad x \geqslant 0$$ where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) The point \(P\) on the curve \(C\) is a minimum turning point.
    Given that the \(x\) coordinate of \(P\) is 4
  2. show that \(k = - 78\) The line through \(P\) parallel to the \(x\)-axis cuts the \(y\)-axis at the point \(N\).
    The finite region \(R\), shown shaded in Figure 5, is bounded by \(C\), the \(y\)-axis and \(P N\).
  3. Use integration to find the area of \(R\).
Edexcel C12 2016 January Q10
10 marks Moderate -0.3
10. The curve \(C\) has equation $$y = 12 x ^ { \frac { 5 } { 4 } } - \frac { 5 } { 18 } x ^ { 2 } - 1000 , \quad x > 0$$
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\)
  2. Hence find the coordinates of the stationary point on \(C\).
  3. Use \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) to determine the nature of this stationary point.
Edexcel C12 2017 January Q9
8 marks Moderate -0.8
9. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f39ade34-32e2-4b5c-b80a-9663c6a65c87-14_609_744_223_593} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} Figure 3 shows a sketch of the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) where $$f ( x ) = \frac { 8 } { x } + \frac { 1 } { 2 } x - 5 , \quad 0 < x \leqslant 12$$ The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at \(( 2,0 )\) and \(( 8,0 )\) and has a minimum point at \(A\).
  1. Use calculus to find the coordinates of point \(A\).
  2. State
    1. the roots of the equation \(2 \mathrm { f } ( x ) = 0\)
    2. the coordinates of the turning point on the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x ) + 2\)
    3. the roots of the equation \(\mathrm { f } ( 4 x ) = 0\)
Edexcel C12 2018 January Q7
10 marks Moderate -0.5
7. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{6f9ace43-747b-419f-a9d1-d30165d77379-18_675_1408_292_358} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 1}
\end{figure} Figure 1 shows a rectangular sheet of metal of negligible thickness, which measures 25 cm by 15 cm . Squares of side \(x \mathrm {~cm}\) are cut from each corner of the sheet and the remainder is folded along the dotted lines to make an open cuboid box, as shown in Figure 2.
  1. Show that the volume, \(V \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\), of the box is given by $$V = 4 x ^ { 3 } - 80 x ^ { 2 } + 375 x$$
  2. Use calculus to find the value of \(x\), to 3 significant figures, for which the volume of the box is a maximum.
  3. Justify that this value of \(x\) gives a maximum value for \(V\).
  4. Find, to 3 significant figures, the maximum volume of the box.
    \section*{8.} \begin{figure}[h]
    \includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{6f9ace43-747b-419f-a9d1-d30165d77379-22_670_1004_292_392} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
    \end{figure} Figure 3 shows a sketch of the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x ) , x \in \mathbb { R }\). The curve crosses the \(y\)-axis at the point \(( 0,5 )\) and crosses the \(x\)-axis at the point \(( 6,0 )\). The curve has a minimum point at \(( 1,3 )\) and a maximum point at \(( 4,7 )\). On separate diagrams, sketch the curve with equation
Edexcel C12 2019 January Q16
16 marks Standard +0.3
16. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{75d68987-2314-4c8f-8160-24977c5c4e34-44_442_822_285_561} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4}
\end{figure} Figure 4 shows the design for a container in the shape of a hollow triangular prism. The container is open at the top, which is labelled \(A B C D\). The sides of the container, \(A B F E\) and \(D C F E\), are rectangles. The ends of the container, \(A D E\) and \(B C F\), are congruent right-angled triangles, as shown in Figure 4. The ends of the container are vertical and the edge \(E F\) is horizontal. The edges \(A E , D E\) and \(E F\) have lengths \(4 x\) metres, \(3 x\) metres and \(l\) metres respectively. Given that the container has a capacity of \(0.75 \mathrm {~m} ^ { 3 }\) and is made of material of negligible thickness,
  1. show that the internal surface area of the container, \(S \mathrm {~m} ^ { 2 }\), is given by $$S = 12 x ^ { 2 } + \frac { 7 } { 8 x }$$
  2. Use calculus to find the value of \(x\), for which \(S\) is a minimum. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.
  3. Justify that the value of \(x\) found in part (b) gives a minimum value for \(S\). Using the value of \(x\) found in part (b), find to 2 decimal places,
    1. the length of the edge \(A D\),
    2. the length of the edge \(C D\).
      END
Edexcel C12 2014 June Q4
8 marks Moderate -0.8
4. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{b85872d4-00b2-499b-9765-f7559d3de66a-05_716_725_219_603} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a sketch of part of the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) where $$f ( x ) = x ^ { 2 } + \frac { 16 } { x } , \quad x > 0$$ The curve has a minimum turning point at \(A\).
  1. Find \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x )\).
  2. Hence find the coordinates of \(A\).
  3. Use your answer to part (b) to write down the turning point of the curve with equation
    1. \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x + 1 )\),
    2. \(y = \frac { 1 } { 2 } \mathrm { f } ( x )\).
Edexcel C12 2014 June Q14
15 marks Standard +0.3
14. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{b85872d4-00b2-499b-9765-f7559d3de66a-23_650_1182_212_383} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 6}
\end{figure} Figure 6 shows a solid triangular prism \(A B C D E F\) in which \(A B = 2 x \mathrm {~cm}\) and \(C D = l \mathrm {~cm}\). The cross section \(A B C\) is an equilateral triangle. The rectangle \(B C D F\) is horizontal and the triangles \(A B C\) and \(D E F\) are vertical.
The total surface area of the prism is \(S \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\) and the volume of the prism is \(V \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\).
  1. Show that \(S = 2 x ^ { 2 } \sqrt { 3 } + 6 x l\) Given that \(S = 960\),
  2. show that \(V = 160 x \sqrt { 3 } - x ^ { 3 }\)
  3. Use calculus to find the maximum value of \(V\), giving your answer to the nearest integer.
  4. Justify that the value of \(V\) found in part (c) is a maximum. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{b85872d4-00b2-499b-9765-f7559d3de66a-24_63_52_2690_1886}
Edexcel C12 2016 June Q15
11 marks Standard +0.3
15. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{aa75f1c1-ee97-4fee-af98-957e6a3fbba1-23_609_493_223_762} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 5}
\end{figure} Figure 5 shows a design for a water barrel.
It is in the shape of a right circular cylinder with height \(h \mathrm {~cm}\) and radius \(r \mathrm {~cm}\). The barrel has a base but has no lid, is open at the top and is made of material of negligible thickness. The barrel is designed to hold \(60000 \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\) of water when full.
  1. Show that the total external surface area, \(S \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\), of the barrel is given by the formula $$S = \pi r ^ { 2 } + \frac { 120000 } { r }$$
  2. Use calculus to find the minimum value of \(S\), giving your answer to 3 significant figures.
  3. Justify that the value of \(S\) you found in part (b) is a minimum.
Edexcel C12 2017 June Q4
12 marks Moderate -0.3
4. The curve \(C\) has equation \(y = 4 x \sqrt { x } + \frac { 48 } { \sqrt { x } } - \sqrt { 8 } , x > 0\)
  1. Find, simplifying each term,
    1. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\)
    2. \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\)
  2. Use part (a) to find the exact coordinates of the stationary point of \(C\).
  3. Determine whether the stationary point of \(C\) is a maximum or minimum, giving a reason for your answer.
Edexcel C12 2018 June Q14
15 marks Standard +0.3
14. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{ce06b37a-aa57-4256-bec8-7277c8a9fc65-40_611_1214_219_548} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a sketch of the curve \(C _ { 1 }\) with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) where $$f ( x ) = ( x - 2 ) ^ { 2 } ( 2 x + 1 ) , \quad x \in \mathbb { R }$$ The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at \(\left( - \frac { 1 } { 2 } , 0 \right)\), touches it at \(( 2,0 )\) and crosses the \(y\)-axis at ( 0,4 ). There is a maximum turning point at the point marked \(P\).
  1. Use \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x )\) to find the exact coordinates of the turning point \(P\). A second curve \(C _ { 2 }\) has equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x + 1 )\).
  2. Write down an equation of the curve \(C _ { 2 }\) You may leave your equation in a factorised form.
  3. Use your answer to part (b) to find the coordinates of the point where the curve \(C _ { 2 }\) meets the \(y\)-axis.
  4. Write down the coordinates of the two turning points on the curve \(C _ { 2 }\)
  5. Sketch the curve \(C _ { 2 }\), with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x + 1 )\), giving the coordinates of the points where the curve crosses or touches the \(x\)-axis.
Edexcel C12 2019 June Q15
11 marks Standard +0.3
15. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{de511cb3-35c7-4225-b459-a136b6304b78-44_537_679_258_589} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 3}
\end{figure} Diagram not drawn to scale Figure 3 shows the plan view of a garden. The shape of this garden consists of a rectangle joined to a semicircle. The rectangle has length \(x\) metres and width \(y\) metres.
The area of the garden is \(100 \mathrm {~m} ^ { 2 }\).
  1. Show that the perimeter, \(P\) metres, of the garden is given by $$P = \frac { 1 } { 4 } x ( 4 + \pi ) + \frac { 200 } { x } \quad x > 0$$
  2. Use calculus to find the exact value of \(x\) for which the perimeter of the garden is a minimum.
  3. Justify that the value of \(x\) found in part (b) gives a minimum value for \(P\).
  4. Find the minimum perimeter of the garden, giving your answer in metres to one decimal place.
Edexcel C12 2016 October Q12
11 marks Moderate -0.3
12. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{53865e15-3838-4551-b507-fe49549b87db-32_748_883_274_477} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Diagram not drawn to scale Figure 2 shows a sketch of the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\), where $$f ( x ) = \frac { x ^ { 3 } - 9 x ^ { 2 } - 81 x } { 27 }$$ The curve crosses the \(x\)-axis at the point \(A\), the point \(B\) and the origin \(O\). The curve has a maximum turning point at \(C\) and a minimum turning point at \(D\).
  1. Use algebra to find exact values for the \(x\) coordinates of the points \(A\) and \(B\).
  2. Use calculus to find the coordinates of the points \(C\) and \(D\). The graph of \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x + a )\), where \(a\) is a constant, has its minimum turning point on the \(y\)-axis.
  3. Write down the value of \(a\). \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{53865e15-3838-4551-b507-fe49549b87db-35_29_37_182_1914}
Edexcel C12 2016 October Q15
13 marks Standard +0.3
15. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{53865e15-3838-4551-b507-fe49549b87db-44_647_917_260_484} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 4}
\end{figure} Figure 4 shows a solid wooden block. The block is a right prism with length \(h \mathrm {~cm}\). The cross-section of the block is a semi-circle with radius \(r \mathrm {~cm}\). The total surface area of the block, including the curved surface, the two semi-circular ends and the rectangular base, is \(200 \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\)
  1. Show that the volume \(V \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\) of the block is given by $$V = \frac { \pi r \left( 200 - \pi r ^ { 2 } \right) } { 4 + 2 \pi }$$
  2. Use calculus to find the maximum value of \(V\). Give your answer to the nearest \(\mathrm { cm } ^ { 3 }\).
  3. Justify, by further differentiation, that the value of \(V\) that you have found is a maximum.
Edexcel C12 2017 October Q5
8 marks Moderate -0.8
5. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{bb1becd5-96c1-426d-9b85-4bbc4a61af27-10_678_1076_248_434} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a sketch of part of the curve with equation $$y = 27 \sqrt { x } - 2 x ^ { 2 } , \quad x \in \mathbb { R } , x > 0$$
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) The curve has a maximum turning point \(P\), as shown in Figure 2.
  2. Use the answer to part (a) to find the exact coordinates of \(P\).
Edexcel C12 2018 October Q15
11 marks Standard +0.3
15. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{1f61f78b-5e77-4758-8ad5-ea00c7dfea2b-46_396_591_251_664} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a plan for a garden.
The garden consists of two identical rectangles of width \(y \mathrm {~m}\) and length \(x \mathrm {~m}\), joined to a sector of a circle with radius \(x \mathrm {~m}\) and angle 0.8 radians, as shown in Figure 2. The area of the garden is \(60 \mathrm {~m} ^ { 2 }\).
  1. Show that the perimeter, \(P \mathrm {~m}\), of the garden is given by $$P = 2 x + \frac { 120 } { x }$$
  2. Use calculus to find the exact minimum value for \(P\), giving your answer in the form \(a \sqrt { b }\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are integers.
  3. Justify that the value of \(P\) found in part (b) is the minimum. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{1f61f78b-5e77-4758-8ad5-ea00c7dfea2b-49_83_59_2636_1886}
Edexcel C1 2017 June Q10
11 marks Moderate -0.3
10. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{c1b0a49d-9def-4289-a4cd-288991f67caf-24_666_1195_260_370} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a sketch of part of the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x ) , x \in \mathbb { R }\), where $$f ( x ) = ( 2 x - 5 ) ^ { 2 } ( x + 3 )$$
  1. Given that
    1. the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x ) - k , x \in \mathbb { R }\), passes through the origin, find the value of the constant \(k\),
    2. the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x + c ) , x \in \mathbb { R }\), has a minimum point at the origin, find the value of the constant \(c\).
  2. Show that \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x ) = 12 x ^ { 2 } - 16 x - 35\) Points \(A\) and \(B\) are distinct points that lie on the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\).
    The gradient of the curve at \(A\) is equal to the gradient of the curve at \(B\).
    Given that point \(A\) has \(x\) coordinate 3
  3. find the \(x\) coordinate of point \(B\).
    \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}]{c1b0a49d-9def-4289-a4cd-288991f67caf-28_2630_1826_121_121}
Edexcel C1 2018 June Q2
7 marks Easy -1.3
  1. Given
$$y = 3 \sqrt { x } - 6 x + 4 , \quad x > 0$$
  1. find \(\int y \mathrm {~d} x\), simplifying each term.
    1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\)
    2. Hence find the value of \(x\) such that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 0\)
Edexcel P2 2020 January Q10
10 marks Standard +0.3
10. A curve \(C\) has equation $$y = 4 x ^ { 3 } - 9 x + \frac { k } { x } \quad x > 0$$ where \(k\) is a constant.
The point \(P\) with \(x\) coordinate \(\frac { 1 } { 2 }\) lies on \(C\).
Given that \(P\) is a stationary point of \(C\),
  1. show that \(k = - \frac { 3 } { 2 }\)
  2. Determine the nature of the stationary point at \(P\), justifying your answer. The curve \(C\) has a second stationary point.
  3. Using algebra, find the \(x\) coordinate of this second stationary point. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{08aac50c-7317-4510-927a-7f5f2e00f485-26_2255_50_312_1980}
Edexcel P2 2021 January Q2
7 marks Moderate -0.8
2. A curve has equation $$y = x ^ { 3 } - x ^ { 2 } - 16 x + 2$$
  1. Using calculus, find the \(x\) coordinates of the stationary points of the curve.
  2. Justify, by further calculus, the nature of all of the stationary points of the curve.
Edexcel P2 2022 January Q2
8 marks Easy -1.2
2. In this question you must show all stages of your working. \section*{Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.} The curve \(C\) has equation $$y = 27 x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } } - x ^ { \frac { 3 } { 2 } } - 20 \quad x > 0$$
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\), giving each term in simplest form.
  2. Hence find the coordinates of the stationary point of \(C\).
  3. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) and hence determine the nature of the stationary point of \(C\).
Edexcel P2 2023 January Q2
9 marks Moderate -0.3
  1. In this question you must show all stages of your working.
\section*{Solutions based entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.} \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{f6af51c1-5f85-4952-b3c4-9dca42b2a309-04_629_995_411_534} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} A brick is in the shape of a cuboid with width \(x \mathrm {~cm}\) ,length \(3 x \mathrm {~cm}\) and height \(h \mathrm {~cm}\) ,as shown in Figure 2. The volume of the brick is \(972 \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 3 }\)
  1. Show that the surface area of the brick,\(S \mathrm {~cm} ^ { 2 }\) ,is given by $$S = 6 x ^ { 2 } + \frac { 2592 } { x }$$
  2. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } S } { \mathrm {~d} x }\)
  3. Hence find the value of \(x\) for which \(S\) is stationary.
  4. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } S } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) and hence show that the value of \(x\) found in part(c)gives the minimum value of \(S\) .
  5. Hence find the minimum surface area of the brick.
Edexcel P2 2024 January Q10
9 marks Standard +0.3
  1. In this question you must show detailed reasoning.
Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{0e08d931-aa1c-48a8-8b39-47096f981950-30_646_741_376_662} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a sketch of the curve with equation $$y = \frac { 1 } { 2 } x ^ { 2 } + \frac { 1458 } { \sqrt { x ^ { 3 } } } - 74 \quad x > 0$$ The point \(P\) is the only stationary point on the curve.
  1. Use calculus to show that the \(x\) coordinate of \(P\) is 9 The line \(l\) passes through the point \(P\) and is parallel to the \(x\)-axis.
    The region \(R\), shown shaded in Figure 2, is bounded by the curve, the line \(l\) and the line with equation \(x = 4\)
  2. Use algebraic integration to find the exact area of \(R\).
Edexcel P2 2019 June Q5
8 marks Moderate -0.3
5. A company makes a particular type of watch. The annual profit made by the company from sales of these watches is modelled by the equation $$P = 12 x - x ^ { \frac { 3 } { 2 } } - 120$$ where \(P\) is the annual profit measured in thousands of pounds and \(\pounds x\) is the selling price of the watch. According to this model,
  1. find, using calculus, the maximum possible annual profit.
  2. Justify, also using calculus, that the profit you have found is a maximum.