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Application of Derivatives appeared 25 times across 3 years — 2.9% of Mathematics. This question is from Local Maxima and Minima.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 5 8 12 25

The sum of all local minimum values of the function f(x) = cases 1 - 2x, & x < -1 (1)/(3)(7 + 2|x|), & -1 ≤ x ≤ 2 (11)/(18)(x - 4)(x - 5), & x > 2 cases is:

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Local minima occur at points where the derivative changes sign from negative to positive, or at sharp corners where the function reaches a local low point.

Core Logic

Analyze the piecewise sections across all transition domains:

Local Maxima and Minima diagram for Q64 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Local Maxima and Minima diagram for Q64 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
For x in [-1, 2], f(x) = (1)/(3)(7 + 2|x|). This curve has a sharp structural minimum at x = 0 since |x| decreases then increases. Value at x = 0 f(0) = (7)/(3).

Step 1: Analyzing the Quadratic Domain Boundaries

For x > 2, f(x) = (11)/(18)(x² - 9x + 20). Finding the vertex point by setting the derivative to zero:

f^ (x) = (11)/(18)(2x - 9) = 0 x = (9)/(2) = 4.5

Since 4.5 > 2, this vertex is within the valid domain and represents a local minimum. Value at x = 4.5 f((9)/(2)) = (11)/(18)((1)/(2))(-(1)/(2)) = -(11)/(72).

Step 2: Calculating Final Combined Summation

Summing both local minima:

Total Minima Sum = (7)/(3) + (-(11)/(72)) = (168 - 11)/(72) = (157)/(72)
Pattern Recognition

For piecewise function systems, always verify if the quadratic vertices fall inside their restricted intervals before adding them to your solution path.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Maths: Application of Derivatives

More Application of Derivatives Previous-Year Questions — Page 2

Q jee_main_2025_02_april_morning Maxima and Minima
If the function f(x) = 2x³ - 9ax² + 12a²x + 1, where a > 0, attains its local maximum and local minimum values at p and q, respectively, such that p² = q, then f(3) is equal to:
  • A. 55
  • B. 10
  • C. 23
  • D. 37

Solution

Related Formula

For local extrema of a differentiable function, set the first derivative to zero:

f'(x) = 0

Core Logic

Differentiate f(x) to obtain its critical points p and q in terms of a, use the constraint p² = q to fix a, and evaluate f(3).

Step 1: Differentiate and Find Critical Points

f'(x) = 6x² - 18ax + 12a²

Set

Set $f'(x) = 0:

6(x² - 3ax + 2a²) = 0 6(x-a)(x-2a) = 0

The critical points are

The critical points are $x = aandx = 2a. Sincea > 0, checking the sign change off'(x)shows that the local maximum occurs at the smaller root (p = a) and the local minimum at the larger root (q = 2a).

Step 2: Apply Root Constraint

Given

Step 2: Apply Root Constraint

Given $p^2 = q:

a² = 2a a(a-2) = 0

Since

Since $a > 0, we geta = 2.

Step 3: Evaluate function at x = 3

Substitute

Step 3: Evaluate function at x = 3

Substitute $a = 2back into the definition off(x):

f(x) = 2x³ - 18x² + 48x + 1

Now compute

Now compute $f(3):

f(3) = 2(3)³ - 18(3)² + 48(3) + 1 = 54 - 162 + 144 + 1 = 37
Pattern Recognition

For cubic equations with two distinct real critical roots, the smaller root is always the local maximum if the leading coefficient is positive (

Pattern Recognition

For cubic equations with two distinct real critical roots, the smaller root is always the local maximum if the leading coefficient is positive ($2 > 0). This ensuresp=aandq=2a$ immediately without relying on secondary derivative checks.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Application of Derivatives

Q53 jee_main_2025_07_april_morning Maxima and Minima
Let x = -1 and x = 2 be the critical points of the function f(x) = x³ + ax² + b ₑ |x| + 1, x ≠ 0 . Let m and M respectively be the absolute minimum and the absolute maximum values of f in the interval [-2, -(1)/(2)] . Then |M + m| is equal to (Take ₑ 2 = 0.7 ):
  • A. 21.1
  • B. 19.8
  • C. 22.1
  • D. 20.9

Solution

Related Formula

Critical points occur where f'(x) = 0. For absolute maximum and minimum on an interval [c, d], evaluate function values at the boundaries and at any local critical points falling inside the domain.

Core Logic

Given f(x) = x³ + ax² + bln|x| + 1 Differentiating with respect to x:

f'(x) = 3x² + 2ax + (b)/(x)

Since x = -1 and x = 2 are critical points:

f'(-1) = 3(-1)² + 2a(-1) + (b)/(-1) = 3 - 2a - b = 0 2a + b = 3 f'(2) = 3(2)² + 2a(2) + (b)/(2) = 12 + 4a + (b)/(2) = 0 8a + b = -24
Step 1: Solve for Coefficients

Subtracting the first simplified derivative equation from the second:

(8a + b) - (2a + b) = -24 - 3 6a = -27 a = -(9)/(2)

Substituting a back to get b:

2(-(9)/(2)) + b = 3 -9 + b = 3 b = 12

Thus, the function is:

f(x) = x³ - (9)/(2)x² + 12ln|x| + 1
Step 2: Check Critical Points in Target Interval

The given interval is [-2, -1/2]. Inside this interval, the relevant critical point is x = -1 (since x = 2 lies outside).

Evaluate the function values at x = -2, -1, -1/2:

  • At x = -1:
f(-1) = (-1)³ - (9)/(2)(-1)² + 12ln|-1| + 1 = -1 - 4.5 + 0 + 1 = -4.5
  • At x = -2:
f(-2) = (-2)³ - (9)/(2)(-2)² + 12ln|-2| + 1 = -8 - 18 + 12(0.7) + 1 = -25 + 8.4 = -16.6
  • At x = -1/2:
f(-1/2) = (-(1)/(2))³ - (9)/(2)(-(1)/(2))² + 12ln|-(1)/(2)| + 1 = -0.125 - 1.125 - 12(0.7) + 1 = -1.25 - 8.4 + 1 = -8.65
Step 3: Calculate Absolute Sum

Comparing the calculated values:

M = Absolute Maximum = -4.5 (at x = -1) m = Absolute Minimum = -16.6 (at x = -2)

Therefore:

|M + m| = |-4.5 + (-16.6)| = |-21.1| = 21.1
Pattern Recognition

Always verify whether the critical points lie inside the requested boundary interval before blindly testing all values. Here, x=2 was an irrelevant trap for the interval valuation phase.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Application of Derivatives

Q53 jee_main_2025_08_april_evening Monotonicity
Let the function f(x) = (x)/(3) + (3)/(x) + 3, x ≠ 0 be strictly increasing in (-∞, α₁) (α₂, ∞) and strictly decreasing in (α₃, α₄) (α₄, α₅). Then Σi=1⁵ αᵢ² is equal to:
  • A. 48
  • B. 28
  • C. 40
  • D. 36

Solution

Related Formula
f'(x) > 0 Increasing f'(x) < 0 Decreasing
Core Logic

Differentiate the rational function and determine the critical intervals by assessing where the derivative flips signs around critical points and domain boundaries.

Step 1: Derivative Assessment

Given f(x) = (x)/(3) + (3)/(x) + 3

f'(x) = (1)/(3) - (3)/(x²) = (x² - 9)/(3x²)

Critical points occur at x = ± 3, and a domain discontinuity sits at x = 0.

Step 2: Sign Scheme Mapping

Analyzing interval signs:

  • Strictly Increasing (f'(x) > 0): x in (-∞, -3) (3, ∞)
  • Strictly Decreasing (f'(x) < 0): x in (-3, 0) (0, 3)
Step 3: Interval Summation

Comparing bounds with assigned symbols:

α₁ = -3, α₂ = 3, α₃ = -3, α₄ = 0, α₅ = 3 Σi=1⁵ αᵢ² = (-3)² + (3)² + (-3)² + (0)² + (3)² = 9 + 9 + 9 + 0 + 9 = 36
Pattern Recognition

Functions of the form x + (k)/(x) always present localized extrema turning symmetric zones at ±√(k). Always include the asymptotes (x=0) when stating precise disjoint decreasing intervals.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Application of Derivatives

Q68 jee_main_2025_29_jan_evening Maxi-Mini of Functions
Let f(x) = ∫₀x t(t² - 9t + 20) dt, 1 ≤ x ≤ 5. If the range of f is [α, β], then 4(α + β) equals:
  • A. 157
  • B. 253
  • C. 125
  • D. 154

Solution

Related Formula

Leibniz Rule for differentiation under integral sign:

(d)/(dx) ( ∫₀x g(t) dt ) = g(x)
Core Logic

Find critical points inside the interval by finding f'(x) = 0:

f'(x) = x(x² - 9x + 20) = x(x - 4)(x - 5) = 0

Maxi-Mini of Functions diagram for Q68 - JEE Main 2025 Evening
Maxi-Mini of Functions diagram for Q68 - JEE Main 2025 Evening

Critical points inside the interval [1, 5] are x = 4 and x = 5.

Step 1: Perform Integration

Integrate the function to evaluate boundary metrics:

f(x) = ∫₀x (t³ - 9t² + 20t) dt = [ (t⁴)/(4) - 3t³ + 10t² ]₀x f(x) = (x⁴)/(4) - 3x³ + 10x²
Step 2: Evaluate Points and Sum up Range Boundaries

Evaluate at endpoints and critical points:

f(1) = (1)/(4) - 3 + 10 = (29)/(4) = 7.25 f(4) = (256)/(4) - 3(64) + 10(16) = 64 - 192 + 160 = 32 f(5) = (625)/(4) - 3(125) + 10(25) = 156.25 - 375 + 250 = 31.25

Thus, the global minimum is α = f(1) = (29)/(4), and the global maximum is \beta = f(4) = 32.

4(α + β) = 4 ( (29)/(4) + 32 ) = 29 + 128 = 157
Pattern Recognition

Always check boundary points along with interior critical values when finding the absolute range on a closed interval.

Chapter Mix

Class 12 Mathematics: Application of Derivatives Class 12 Mathematics: Integral Calculus

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