3.

Differentiation II

3.1 The Chain Rule

There is another thing we should discuss. We have dealt with different combinations of functions
when taking derivatives, but what about composition of functions.
⌅ Example 3.1 Consider the following function:

f (x) = (ex + x2 )50

What makes this problem more difficult?

What we need is a way to take the derivative of a composition of two or more functions.

Exercise 3.1 Let f be the function defined by f (x) = eh(x) , where h is a differentiable function.
Which of the following is equivalent to the derivative of f with respect to x?

(A) eh(x)
0
(B) eh (x)

O
(C) h0 (x)eh(x)

(D) h(x)eh(x) 1

⌅
74 Chapter 3. Differentiation II

⌅ Example 3.2 Evaluate the following.

d d d cos x
1. [sin(ln x)] = 2. [ln(tan x)] = 3. (e ) =
dx dx dx

Theorem 3.1.1 — Chain Rule. If y = f (u) is a differentiable function and u = g(x) is another
differentiable function, then y = f (g(x)) is a differentiable function of x and

dy
=
dx
or equivalently,
d
[ f (g(x))] =
dx

p
Exercise 3.2 If f (x) = [cos( x) ln(x2 )]3 , then f 0 (x) =

(A) 3

p
1 p
sin x
2 2 sina I
2 x x

p 2 2 p 1
(B) 3[cos x ln x ] sin x
x2

p 1 p 2
(C) 3[cos x ln x2 ]2 p cos x
2 x x

p 1 p 2

O
(D) 3[cos x ln x2 ]2 p sin( x)
2 x x
⌅

⌅ Example 3.3 Use chain rule to find the derivatives of the following functions.

a. y = (x + 2)5 e. s(x) = cos2 x

b. f (x) = sec(3x6 ) f. f (x) = (ln x2 )7

18x5­c.y
c. y = csc(ex )

csclet
p
g. g(x) = tan2 (5x)

d. g(x) =
3
x3 2 h. y = ln(sin x)
3.1 The Chain Rule 75

⌅ Example 3.4 Evaluate the following derivatives

d
a. [ln(2x)] =
dx
d
b. [ln(x2 1)] =
dx
d
c. [x tan x] =
dx
d
d. [(cot x)5 ] =
dx
d p

fun I x2
e. [ln 1 + x2 ] =
dx
d 2x
f. [e ] =
dx

Exercise 3.3 Selected function and derivative values for the differentiable functions f (x) and
g(x) are shown in the table. If h(x) = x f (x) + g(2x 5), then h0 (3) =

x f (x) f 0 (x) g(x) g0 (x)

1 0 4 3 2
2 4 3 3 3
3 4 4 5 14
4 6 17 27 31

0
(A) 4

(B) 6

(C) 12

(D) 36
⌅

Exercise 3.4 If h(q ) = cos3 (8q ), then h0 (q ) =

(A) 24 cos2 8q

(B) 3 cos2 8q sin 8q

O
(C) 24 cos2 8q sin 8q

(D) 24 cos 8q sin 8q

⌅
76 Chapter 3. Differentiation II

Exercise 3.5 The function g is defined as g(x) = (2x2 + 1)3

(a) Find the slope of the tangent line to the graph of the g at x = 1.

(b) Find the equation of the tangent line to the graph of g at x = 1.

(c) Determine the point(s), if any, at which the graph of g has a horizontal tangent.

(d) Find g00 (x)

g x 1212 2 11 10 2
 3.2 Implicit Differentiation 77

3.2 Implicit Differentiation

It might have not been obvious, but we have been differentiating given explicit functions. This is not
always the case, so it will help to differentiate the various presentation that a derivative problem may
be introduced as.

Implicit Form Explicit Form Derivative

1 dy
xy = 1 y= =
x dx

However, unlike the case above what happens if we are given a function whose implicit form is
much more difficult to deal with, say

x2 2y3 + 4y = 2

Can you write this expression explicitly (can you solve for y = in terms of x only)?

NO butcanfindy

⌅ Example 3.5 Differentiate the following expressions with respect to x.

d 2 d
a) [x ] = c) [x + 3y] =
dx dx
d 2 d
b) [y ] = d) [x · y2 ] =
dx dx

R It is incredibly important to note which variable we are differentiating with respect to. As the
d
following problems will illustrate, the denominator of will change our answer. Please note
dx
that implicit differentiation is just the chain rule.

⌅ Example 3.6 Differentiate the following expressions as indicated by the derivative operator.

d 2 d 2
a) (x + y2 ) = c) (x + y2 ) =
dx dt

d 2 d 2
b) (x + y2 ) = d) (x + y2 ) =
dy du
 78 Chapter 3. Differentiation II
dy
⌅ Example 3.7 Find given that
dx

7y + y2 5y x2 = 4

2yty x2 4

of 2g
3.8 Determine the slope of the tangent line to the graph of x2 + 4y2 = 4 at the point
✓Example ◆
⌅
p 1
2, p .
2
Algebraic Approach: Graph:

3.2.1 Finding Second Derivative Implicitly

2 2 d2y
⌅ Example 3.9 Given x + y = 25, find
dx2

ya y3
3.2 Implicit Differentiation 79

⌅ Example 3.10 (a) Find the tangent line to the graph of (x + 2)2 + (y 3)2 = 37 at the point (4, 4).
(b) Find the equation of the normal line at this point as well.

B Normalline
perpendiculartothetangentline

Exercise 3.6 What is the slope of the tangent line to the graph of x4 x2 y + y4 = 1 at (1, 1)?

(A) 1

g
(B)
3
2
(C)
5
2
(D)
5
⌅

d2y
Exercise 3.7 If x2 + y2 = 100, what is the value of at the point (6, 8)?
dx2

25
(A)
128
9
(B)

I
128
9
(C)
128
25
(D)
128
⌅
80 Chapter 3. Differentiation II

Exercise 3.8 Free Response. Consider the graph of x2 + 4y2 + 6x 8y + 9 = 0.

dy
(a) Find
dx

(b) At which point(s) does the graph of the equation have a vertical tangent line?

points 5 1 and l 1
(c) At which point(s) does the graph of the equation have a horizontal tangent line?

⌅
 3.3 Differentiating Inverse Functions 81

3.3 Differentiating Inverse Functions

Before we turn to this discussion let us review some basics.

1

ft
1. If y = f (x) then x = f ( ).
y
2. If y = ln(x) then x = .

3. The point (a, b) lies in the graph of y = f (x). Thus, b = f (a) and a = .

4. If y = 2x + 3. Find the inverse of this function.

5. Using the same method can you find the inverse of f (x) = x5 x3 + 2x? Explain.

It is possible to find the derivative of an inverse function at a point. Despite not being able to
find the inverse function to begin with!

⌅ Example 3.11 Suppose f (x) = x5

Find ffind g (2). (Equivalent
x3 + 2x. Let g = f 1
2 0
to ( f 1 0
) (2)).
1
a) Find an expression for g = f . If you cannot solve for it explicitly solve for it implicitly.

b) If you look at the expression you obtained in part a) you will note that y = g which means that
y0 = g0 . Solve for y0 .

c) Find the value y where f (y) = 2.

d) Use everything you have now to find g0 (2).

82 Chapter 3. Differentiation II

Theorem 3.3.1 — Derivative of an Inverse Function at a Point. Let f be a differentiable

1 1
function, its inverse function g = f is also differentiable at a where f 0 ( f (a)) 6= 0 and
1 0
(f ) (a) =
if
ay
fi Ig
Exercise 3.9 An increasing function f satisfies f (10) = 5 and f 0 (10) = 8. Which of the following
statements about the inverse of f must be true?

1 0
(A) ( f ) (5) = 10

1 0
(B) ( f ) (8) = 10

1 0
(C) ( f ) (5) = 8

1
O
1 0
(D) ( f ) (5) =
8
⌅

1
⌅ Example 3.12 Consider the following function f has the property where ( f 1 )0 (20) = ?
5
fi
(A) f (x) = x + 5

I x 1
(B) f (x) = x3 + 5x + 20

f x 3
(C) f (x) = x5 + 5x + 14
5 f 20

IT (D) f (x) = ex + 5x + 19
5 10 74 1 120

f o 1 5 6 filo q
Consider each possible scenario and really make use of the answers provided.
4
⌅

R The derivatives of inverse functions ARE NOT just reciprocals!

 3.4 Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions 83
p 1 0
Exercise 3.10 If f (x) = 2x x 6, what is the value of ( f ) (40)?

1
(A)
9
1
(B)
10
4
(C)
5
(D) 10

3.4 Differentiating Inverse Trigonometric Functions

⌅ Example 3.13 Find the derivative of the inverse tangent function, that is, y = arctan x

⌅
If tf
Example 3.14 Find the derivative of the inverse sine function, that is, y = arcsin x

Theorem 3.4.1 — Derivatives of Inverse Trigonometric Functions. Let u be a differentiable

function of x.
d
i. [arcsin x] =
dx

d
ii. [arccos x] =
dx

d
iii. [arctan x] =
dx
84 Chapter 3. Differentiation II

⌅ Example 3.15 Differentiate the following

d
a) [arcsin 2x] =
dx

d
b) [arctan 3x] =
dx

d
[arccos ex ] =
Ee
c)
dx

1 x
Exercise 3.11 What is the derivative of f (x) = arctan ?
3 3
x
(A)
9 + x2
3
(B)
9 + x2
1
(C)
9 + x2
1
g
(D)
9 + x2
⌅

Exercise 3.12 What is the slope of the tangent line to the graph of f (x) = ln(x3 + 1) + arctan 4x
when x = 1?

9
(A)
34
25
(B)
34
3
(C)
2
59
O
(D)
34
⌅
 3.5 Selecting Procedures for Calculating Derivatives 85

3.5 Selecting Procedures for Calculating Derivatives

dy
Exercise 3.13 Which of the following does not require the use of the chain rule to find ?
dx
g z pz Gx
a) y = arcsin(3x 4) 2
needchain
rule

b) 3x6 4y2 = 2xy5 + 7

p 2
c) y = 3x2 x+
x
Nochainrule
d) cos(x + y) + 2y x=0

offin2 29 dgsin xty sinexty My in2.29 sin xty

Exercise 3.14 The table below gives selected values for a differentiable and decreasing function f
and its derivative. Let g(x) = f (4x) f (2x), where g(2) = f (8) f (4) = 5. Find (g 1 )0 ( 5)

x 4 8

f (x) 11 6

f 0 (x) -4 -3
 86 Chapter 3. Differentiation II

3.6 Calculating Higher-Order Derivatives

3 d2y
Exercise 3.15 If y = ex , then =
3
dx2
(A) 18x3 ex
3
(B) 9x4 e2x
3
(C) (6x + 3x2 )ex

O
3
(D) (6x + 9x4 )ex

Exercise 3.16 Let f be the function given by f (x) = sin x + e x + 3x. Which of the following
statements is true for y = f (x)?

x
(A) y00 = sin x + e

d 3 y dy
(B) =
dx3 dx
(C) f (4) (x) = f 0 (x) · f 000 (x)

d4y
(D) y = 3x
dx4
⌅
 4. Differentiation Applications

4.1 Interpreting the Meaning of the Derivative in Context

Exercise 4.1 The function C gives the cost, in dollars, to produce a particular product, where
C(x) is the cost, in dollars, to produce x units of the product. The function M defined by
M(x) = C(x + 1) C(x) gives the marginal cost, in dollars, to produce unit number x + 1. Which
of the following gives the best estimate for the marginal cost, in dollars, to produce the 57th unit
of the product?

C(56)
(A)
56
C(57) C(56)
(B)
57 56

0(C) C0 (56)

(D) C0 (57) C0 (56)

It is important to understand once again that in general the following relationship exists between
the average rate of change and the instantaneous rate of change.

f (b) f (a)
f 0 (x),
b a a
for x in (a, b). slopeof
s ecantline stopeof line
tangent
or or
rateofchange
average instaneousrateofchange
 88 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

Exercise 4.2 The function t = f (A) models the time, in minutes, for a chemical reaction to occur
as a function of the amount A of catalyst used, measured in milliliters. What are the units for
f 00 (A)?

(A) minutes per milliliter

(B) milliliters per minute

(C) minutes per milliliter per milliliter

(D) milliliters per minute per minute

Exercise 4.3 The function D defined below models the depth, in feet, of the water t hours after 12
A.M. in a certain harbor. Which of the following presents the method for finding the instantaneous
rate of change of the depth of the water, in feet per hour, at 6 A.M. ?
⇣p ⌘
D(t) = 10 + 4.9 cos t
6
D(6) D(0)
(A) = 1.633
6 0
(B) D0 (6) = 0

(C) D00 (6) = 1.343

(D) D(6) = 5.100

4.2 Straight-Line Motion: Connecting Position, Velocity, and Acceleration

As we discussed earlier when it comes to motion if s(t) is position, then s0 (t) is velocity and s00 (t) is
the acceleration. Moreover, velocity indicates the direction of the objects in question:

Theorem 4.2.1 If we consider an object in straight-line motion and

(a) velocity > 0, then the object moves positive .

direction

.
(b) velocity < 0, then the object movesnegativedirection

(c) velocity = 0, then the object atrestorabouttochangedirection

 4.2 Straight-Line Motion: Connecting Position, Velocity, and Acceleration 89

⌅ Example 4.1 A particle moves along the y-axis so that its position at time t is given by
1
y(t) = t 2 tan for t > 1.
t
1 1
(a) Show that the velocity of the particle at time t is given by v(t) = 2t tan sec2 for t > 1.
t t

4
(b) At time t = , is the particle moving toward the origin or away from the origin? Give a reason
p
for your answer.

tan
00Needtofindvelocity
1
2 tan 1
(c) The velocity of the particle at time t can be written as v(t) = t sec2 for t > 1. Find
1 t
t
the lim . Show the work that leads to your answer.
t!•

Exercise 4.4 An object moves along a straight line so that at any time t, 0  t  9, its position is
given by x(t) = 7 + 6t t 2 . For what value of t is the object at rest?

O
(A) t = 3

(B) t = 6 É
13
(C) t =
2
(D) t = 7

⌅
90 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

Exercise 4.5 A particle traveling on the x-axis has position x(t) at time t. The graph of the
particle’s velocity v(t) is shown below for 0  t  5. Which of the following expressions gives
the total distance traveled by the particle over the time interval 0  t  5 ?

1 2 3 4 5

10
v(t)

(A) x(0) x(5)

(B) x(5) x(0)

(C) (x(3) x(0)) + (x(3) x(5))

(D) (x(0) x(3)) + (x(5) x(3))

Exercise 4.6 A particle moves along the x-axis so that at any time t 0 its position is given by
1 2
x(t) = (a t) , where a is a positive constant. For what values of t is the particle moving to the
2
right?

(A) The particle is moving to the right only if 0 < t < a.

O
(B) The particle is moving to the right only if a < t.

(C) The particle is moving to the right only if t = a.

(D) The particle is not moving to the right.

⌅
 4.2 Straight-Line Motion: Connecting Position, Velocity, and Acceleration 91

4.2.1 Speeding up and slowing down

Consider the case where you know the signs of velocity and acceleration.

v(t) a(t) Behavior

+ + The object moves forwards/backwards and it speeds up / slows down.

samesign speedup
The object moves forwards/backwards and it speeds up / slows down.

+ The object moves forwards/backwards and it speeds up / slows down.

+ The object moves forwards/backwards and it speeds up / slows down.

the
just endd estination
noinbetween
A reminder that displacement and distance traveled are completely different!
R

⌅ Example 4.2 The position of a particle moving along a vertical line is given by y(t) = t 3 6t 2 + 9t,
where t 0 is measured in seconds and y in meters.

(a) Find the velocity at time t, and after 2 sec- (d) Find the displacement of the particle dur-
onds. ing the first five seconds.

415 y10
20 0 20meters

(b) When is the particle at rest? (e) Find the total distance traveled by the par-
ticle during the first 5 seconds.
2 Ht 3 0

(c) When is the particle moving upwards?

(f) Find the acceleration at time t, and after 4
seconds.
 92 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

4.3 Rates of Change in Applied Contexts Other Than Motion

⌅ Example 4.3 (Calculator Required) As a bowl of soup cools, the temperature of the soup is
given by the twice-differentiable function H for 0  t  12, where H(t) is measured in degrees
Celsius ( C) and time t is measured in minutes. Values of H(t) at selected values of time t are shown
in the table below.

t (minutes) 0 3 8 12

H(t) (degrees Celsius) 90 80 67 58

(a) Use the data in the table to approximate H 0 (5). Show the computations that lead to your
answer. Using correct units, explain the meaning of H 0 (5) in the context of the problem.

(b) Is there a time t, for 0  t  12, at which the temperature of the soup is 60 C? Justify your
answer.

(c) The temperature of the soup is also modeled by the twice-differentiable function C for
0  t  12, where C(t) is measured in degrees Celsius and time t is measured in minutes. It
is known that C(3) = 80 and the derivative of C is given by C0 (t) = 3.6e 0.05t . Write an
equation for the line tangent to the graph of C at t = 3 and use it to approximate C(5).

(d) Based on the model given in part (c), at what rate, in degrees Celsius per minute per minute,
is the rate of change of the temperature of the soup changing at time t = 3 minutes?
4.3 Rates of Change in Applied Contexts Other Than Motion 93

⌅ Example 4.4 (Calculator Required) The depth of snow in a field is given by the twice-
differentiable function S for 0  t  14, where S(t) is measured in centimeters and time t is measured
in hours. Values of S0 (t), the derivative of S, at selected values of time t are shown in the table below.
It is known that the graph of S is concave down for 0  t  14.

t (hours) 0 3 8 12 14

S0 (t) (centimeters per hour) 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.6

(a) Use the data in the table to approximate S00 (10). Show the computations that lead to your
answer. Using correct units, explain the meaning of S00 (10) in the context of the problem.

(b) Is there a time t, for 0  t  14, at which the depth of snow is changing at a rate of 2 centimeters
per hour? Justify your answer.

(c) At time t = 8, the depth of snow is 45 centimeters. Use the line tangent to the graph of S at
t = 8 to approximate the depth of snow at time t = 10. Is the approximation an underestimate
or an overestimate of the actual depth of snow at time t = 10 ? Justify your answer.

(d) The depth of snow, in centimeters, is also modeled by the twice-differentiable function D for
0  t  4, where D(t) = 120 92e t/40 and time t is measured in hours. Use the model to
find D0 (10). Using correct units, explain the meaning of D0 (10) in the context of the problem.
 94 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

4.4 Introduction to Related Rates

⌅ Example 4.5 Boyle’s law states that if the temperature of an ideal gas is held constant, then the
k
pressure P of the gas and its volume V satisfy the relationship P = , where k is a constant. Which
V
of the following best describes the relationship between the rate of change, with respect to time t, of
the pressure and the rate of change, with respect to time t, of the volume?

Exercise 4.7 Let x and y be functions of time t such that the sum of x and y is constant. Which
of the following equations describes the relationship between the rate of change of x with respect
to time and the rate of change of y with respect to time?
dx dy
(A) =
dt dt
dx dy
(B) =
dt dt
dx dy dK
(C) + = , where K is a function of t.
dt dt dt
dx dy
(D) + = K, where K is a function of t.
dt dt
⌅

R I urge you that you adopt Leibniz’s notation for related rate problems. It will make your
reasoning exponentially easier to follow.

⌅ Example 4.6 A spherical balloon is being filled with air at the constant rate of 2 cm3 /sec. How
fast is the radius increasing when the radius is 3 cm?
1. Construct an equation that relates the rates (variables) in the problem.

2. Identify the unit we change with respect to. In this problem,

cm3
!
sec
3. Differentiate the first expression with respect to that unit.

4. Last step. Substitute any extra given information and solve for the desired rate.
 4.5 Solving Related Rates Problems 95

4.5 Solving Related Rates Problems

Exercise 4.8 A particle moves on the hyperbola xy = 15 for time t 0 seconds. At a certain
dx
instant, x = 3 and = 6. Which of the following is true about y at this instant?
dt

(A) y is decreasing by 10 units per second.

(B) y is increasing by 10 units per second.

(C) y is decreasing by 5 units per second.

(D) y is increasing by 5 units per second.

Exercise 4.9 A piece of rubber tubing maintains a cylindrical shape as it is stretched. At the
instant that the inner radius of the tube is 2 millimeters and the height is 20 millimeters, the inner
radius is decreasing at the rate of 0.1 millimeter per second and the height is increasing at the rate
of 3 millimeters per second. Which of the following statements about the volume of the tube is
true at this instant? (The volume V of a cylinder with radius r and height h is V = pr2 h.)

(A) The volume is increasing by 4p cubic millimeters per second.

(B) The volume is decreasing by 4p cubic millimeters per second.

(C) The volume is increasing by 20p cubic millimeters per second.

(D) The volume is decreasing by 20p cubic millimeters per second.

4.5.1 Related Rates Strategy

1. Label all variables. Recommended. Draw a picture!

2. Find an equation that relates all the variables.

3. Using the chain rule, differentiate both sides of the equation in step 2.

4. Substitute all known values and solve for the unknown rate of change.
96 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

Exercise 4.10 A constant volume of pizza dough is formed into a cylinder with a relatively small
height and large radius. The dough is spun and tossed into the air in such a way that the height of
the dough decreases as the radius increases, but it retains its cylindrical shape. At time t = k, the
height of the dough is 13 inch, the radius of the dough is 12 inches, and the radius of the dough is
increasing at a rate of 2 inches per minute.
(a) At time t = k, at what rate is the area of the circular surface of the dough increasing with
respect to time? Show the computations that lead to your answer. Indicate units of measure.

(b) At time t = k, at what rate is the height of the dough decreasing with respect to time? Show
the computations that lead to your answer. Indicate units of measure. (The volume V of a
cylinder with radius r and height h is given by V = pr2 h.)

(c) Write an expression for the rate of change of the height of the dough with respect to the
radius of the dough in terms of height h and radius r.

⌅
 4.6 Approximating Values of a Function Using Local Linearity and Linearization 97

4.6 Approximating Values of a Function Using Local Linearity and Linearization

Recall the following about the derivative and the average rate of change:

f (x) f (a)
f 0 (a) ⇡ .
x a
⌅ Example 4.7 Use a graph to draw the following conclusions:

1. If f is concave up, tangent line approximations at x = a will be .

2. If f is concave down, tangent line approximations at x = a will be .

Exercise 4.11 Selected values of the derivative of the function g are given in the table above. It
is known that g(3) = 17. What is the approximation for g(3.2) found using the line tangent to
the graph of g at x = 3 ?

x 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.4

g0 (x) 1.05 1.2 0.8 1.3

(A) 16.76

(B) 16.80

(C) 16.84

(D) 17.40

1
Exercise 4.12 Let f be a differentiable function such that f (4) = 7 and f 0 (4) = . The graph of
5
f is concave up on the interval (3, 5). Which of the following is true about the approximation for
f (3.5) found using the line tangent to the graph of f at x = 4 ?

(A) f (3.5) ⇡ 6.9 and this approximation is an overestimate of the value of f (3.5)

(B) f (3.5) ⇡ 6.9 and this approximation is an underestimate of the value of f (3.5)

(C) f (3.5) ⇡ 7.1 and this approximation is an overestimate of the value of f (3.5)

(D) f (3.5) ⇡ 7.1 and this approximation is an underestimate of the value of f (3.5)

⌅
 98 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

4.7 Using L’Hospital’s Rule for Determining Limits of Indeterminate Forms

It is time to revisit limits and L’Hopital’s Rule along with it,

Theorem 4.7.1 — L’Hospital’s Rule. Let f and g be functions that are differentiable on an open
interval (a, b) containing c, except possibly at c itself. If the limit

f (x)
lim
x!c g(x)

is an indeterminate form (0/0, ±•/•), then

f (x)
lim =
x!c g(x)

4.7.1 Indeterminate Form: 0/0

1e2x
⌅ Example 4.8 Evaluate lim . We will do this formally, this is how you would justify your
x!0x
answer in a free-response question format (FRQ).
1. lim e2x 1 =
x!0

2. lim x =
x!0

e2x 1
3. By L’Hopital’s rule, it follows that lim =
x!0 x

R In FRQ style assignments, failure to justify all the above in the same detail will prevent you
from attaining full credit. In multiple choice questions, adopt any method that maximizes
speed.

4.7.2 Indeterminate Form: •/•

ln x
⌅ Example 4.9 Evaluate lim
x!• x

x2
⌅ Example 4.10 Evaluate lim
x! •e x

4.7.3 Indeterminate Form: 0 · ±•

⌅ Example 4.11 Evaluate lim x ln x
+ x!0
 4.7 Using L’Hospital’s Rule for Determining Limits of Indeterminate Forms 99

4.7.4 Indeterminate Form: 1• , 00

✓ ◆
1 x
⌅ Example 4.12 Evaluate lim 1+ .
x!• x

R Make a note of how relevant this limit is for future discussions.

4.7.5 Indeterminate Form: • •

⌅ Example 4.13 Evaluate lim sec x tan x
x!p/2

A few other examples to take note of:

ex
⌅ Example 4.14 Evaluate lim
x!0 x

⌅ Example 4.15 Evaluate lim (ex x)

x!•

R L’Hospital’s will only work if a limit actually exists, it will never conclude anything if the limit
is infinite.
100 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

4ex sin x 4
Exercise 4.13 Find lim
x!0 x2 + 4x

(A) 0

3
(B)
4
(C) 1

(D) nonexistent

Exercise 4.14 Find lim ( x ln x)

x!0+

(A) 0

1
(B)
2
(C) 1

(D) nonexistent

g(x 3)
⌅ Example 4.16 Consider the graph of g(x) provided. Find lim 2
x!4 x 2x 8

3
g(x)
2

3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 6
1

2
4.7 Using L’Hospital’s Rule for Determining Limits of Indeterminate Forms 101

⌅ Example 4.17 When water is drained out of a conical tank the volume V , the radius r, and the
height h of the water level are all functions of time t. An equation that relates all these variables
would be:
1
V = pr2 h.
3
Differentiate implicitly with respect to t to obtain the related rate equation.

⌅ Example 4.18 A pebble is dropped into a calm pond causing ripples in the form of concentric
circles. The radius r of the outer ripple is increasing at a constant rate of 1 foot per second. When
the radius is 4 feet, at what rate is the total area A of the disturbed water changing?

⌅ Example 4.19 Air is being pumped into a spherical balloon at a rate of 4.5 cubic feet per minute.
Find the rate of change of the radius when the radius is 1 foot.
102 Chapter 4. Differentiation Applications

⌅ Example 4.20 An airplane is flying on a flight path that will take it directly over a radar tracking
station. The distance to the station s is decreasing at a rate of 400 miles per hour when s = 10 miles.
The plane is flying at a height of 6 miles. What is the speed of the plane?

⌅ Example 4.21 A rocket is launched 2000 ft away from a camera. Find the rate of change in the
angle of elevation of the camera at 10 seconds after lift-off given that the rocket’s height is given by
y = 50t 2 .

5
Exercise 4.15 The sides of an equilateral triangle are increasing at a rate of centimeters per
8
second. At what rate is the area of the triangle increasing p
when the sides are 4 centimeters? The
s2 3
formula for the area A of an equilateral triangle is A = .
4
p
(A) 3 square centimeters per second
p
5 3
(B) square centimeters per second
4
p
(C) 2 3 square centimeters per second
p
(D) 5 3 square centimeters per second
⌅
4.7 Using L’Hospital’s Rule for Determining Limits of Indeterminate Forms 103

Exercise 4.16 A right cylindrical water tank with a diameter of 3 feet and a height of 6 feet is
being drained. At what rate is the volume of the water in the tank changing when the water level
of the tank is dropping at a rate of 4 inches per minute?

(A) 9p cubic feet per minute

(B) 4.5p cubic feet per minute

(C) 3p cubic feet per minute

(D) 0.75p cubic feet per minute

⌅

Exercise 4.17 Free Response. A spherical piece of ice maintains the shape of a sphere as it
3p
melts. The volume of the piece of ice is decreasing at a constant rate of cubic feet per hour.
2
4
The formulas for the volume V and the surface area S of a sphere are V = pr3 and S = 4pr2 ,
3
where r is the radius of the sphere.

(a) What is the rate of change of the surface area of the piece of ice when the radius is 10 feet?

(b) What is the rate of change of the surface area of the piece of ice when the radius is 5 feet?