CBSE Class 12 Mathematics: Applications of Derivatives NCERT Solutions

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

CBSE Class 12 Mathematics, Chapter 6, Applications of Derivatives, delves into the practical uses of calculus. This chapter explores how derivatives can be used to determine the rate at which quantities change, a fundamental concept with wide-ranging applications. Students will learn to find and interpret tangents and normals to curves, understanding the geometric significance of the derivative. The solutions provide detailed, step-by-step explanations for problems involving rates of change in geometric figures like areas and volumes, as well as how to find points on curves where the tangent line has a specific slope. This resource aims to solidify students' understanding of these applications, enhance their problem-solving abilities, and equip them for their board examinations by bridging theoretical concepts with real-world scenarios.

Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 12
SubjectMathematics
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterApplications of Derivatives

Chapter summary

This chapter's NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Mathematics delve into the practical applications of derivatives. It focuses on calculating rates of change for geometric figures like circles and cubes, and understanding how quantities change with respect to each other. The exercises also cover finding equations of tangent and normal lines to curves at given points, and identifying where tangents are parallel or perpendicular to specific lines. These solutions provide a clear, step-by-step approach to mastering these concepts.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the concept of rates of change using derivatives.
  • Calculate the rate of change of area and volume for geometric shapes.
  • Apply derivatives to find the equations of tangent and normal lines to curves.
  • Determine points on a curve where the tangent has a specific slope.
  • Solve problems involving related rates in various contexts.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Rate of Change
  • Increasing and Decreasing Functions
  • Tangents and Normals
  • Approximations
  • Maxima and Minima
  • Related Rates
  • Area of a Circle
  • Volume of a Cube
  • Slope of a Tangent
  • Equation of a Tangent Line
  • Equation of a Normal Line

Important topics

  • Rate of Change of Quantities
  • Tangents and Normals to Curves
  • Related Rates Problems
  • Finding Maxima and Minima
  • Applications in Geometry

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Find the rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius r when:
  1. r = 3 \text{ cm}
  2. r = 4 \text{ cm}
Solution:

The area of a circle, denoted by A, with radius r is given by the formula A = \pi r^2. To find the rate of change of the area with respect to its radius, we need to calculate the derivative of A with respect to r, \frac{dA}{dr}.

Using the power rule for differentiation, we get:

\frac{dA}{dr} = \frac{d}{dr} (\pi r^2) = \pi \cdot 2r = 2\pi r

Now, we evaluate this rate at the specific values of the radius given:

  1. When r = 3 cm:

    \frac{dA}{dr} \bigg|_{r=3} = 2\pi (3) = 6\pi

    Therefore, the area of the circle is changing at a rate of 6\pi cm2/cm when the radius is 3 cm.

  2. When r = 4 cm:

    \frac{dA}{dr} \bigg|_{r=4} = 2\pi (4) = 8\pi

    Therefore, the area of the circle is changing at a rate of 8\pi cm2/cm when the radius is 4 cm.

Question 2

The volume of a cube is increasing at the rate of 8 cm3/s. How fast is the surface area increasing when the length of an edge is 12 cm?
Solution:

Let x be the length of an edge of the cube. The volume V of the cube is given by V = x^3, and the surface area S is given by S = 6x^2. Both V and S are functions of time t.

We are given that the volume is increasing at a rate of 8 cm3/s, which means \frac{dV}{dt} = 8 cm3/s.

We need to find how fast the surface area is increasing, \frac{dS}{dt}, when the edge length x = 12 cm.

First, let's find the rate at which the edge length is changing, \frac{dx}{dt}. We differentiate the volume formula with respect to time t using the chain rule:

\frac{dV}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt}(x^3) = \frac{d}{dx}(x^3) \cdot \frac{dx}{dt} = 3x^2 \frac{dx}{dt}

Substitute the given value of \frac{dV}{dt}:

8 = 3x^2 \frac{dx}{dt}

Now, solve for \frac{dx}{dt}:

\frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{8}{3x^2}

Next, we find the rate of change of the surface area by differentiating S with respect to time t, again using the chain rule:

\frac{dS}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt}(6x^2) = \frac{d}{dx}(6x^2) \cdot \frac{dx}{dt} = 12x \frac{dx}{dt}

Now, substitute the expression for \frac{dx}{dt} we found earlier:

\frac{dS}{dt} = 12x \left( \frac{8}{3x^2} \right) = \frac{96x}{3x^2} = \frac{32}{x}

Finally, we need to find \frac{dS}{dt} when the edge length is x = 12 cm:

\frac{dS}{dt} \bigg|_{x=12} = \frac{32}{12} = \frac{8}{3}

Thus, the surface area is increasing at the rate of \frac{8}{3} cm2/s when the length of the edge is 12 cm.

Question 3

The radius of a circle is increasing uniformly at the rate of 3 cm/s. Find the rate at which the area of the circle is increasing when the radius is 10 cm.
Solution:

Let r be the radius of the circle and A be its area. The formula for the area of a circle is A = \pi r^2. We are given that the radius is increasing at a uniform rate of 3 cm/s, which means \frac{dr}{dt} = 3 cm/s.

We need to find the rate at which the area is increasing, \frac{dA}{dt}, when the radius is r = 10 cm.

To find \frac{dA}{dt}, we differentiate the area formula with respect to time t, using the chain rule:

\frac{dA}{dt} = \frac{d}{dt}(\pi r^2) = \frac{d}{dr}(\pi r^2) \cdot \frac{dr}{dt}

Calculating the derivative of \pi r^2 with respect to r gives 2\pi r. So, the equation becomes:

\frac{dA}{dt} = 2\pi r \frac{dr}{dt}

Now, substitute the given values: r = 10 cm and \frac{dr}{dt} = 3 cm/s:

\frac{dA}{dt} = 2\pi (10) (3) = 60\pi

Therefore, the area of the circle is increasing at the rate of 60\pi cm2/s when the radius is 10 cm.

Common mistakes

  • Incorrectly applying the chain rule when differentiating composite functions.
  • Errors in algebraic manipulation when solving for unknown rates.
  • Confusing the rate of change of a variable with the variable itself.
  • Mistakes in calculating the slope of tangent or normal lines.

Revision tips

  • Review the formulas for areas and volumes of basic geometric shapes.
  • Practice differentiating various functions, paying close attention to the chain rule.
  • Work through related rates problems systematically, identifying known and unknown rates.
  • Ensure you can correctly find the slope of a tangent line at a given point on a curve.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the rate of change of the area of a circle with respect to its radius when the radius is 3 cm?

Q2. If the volume of a cube is increasing at 8 cm³/s, what is the rate of increase of its surface area when the edge length is 12 cm?

Q3. The radius of a circle is increasing at 3 cm/s. What is the rate at which its area is increasing when the radius is 10 cm?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of the Applications of Derivatives chapter for Class 12 Maths?

This chapter focuses on how derivatives can be used to solve practical problems, including finding rates of change of quantities, determining tangents and normals to curves, and optimizing functions to find maximum or minimum values.

How do these NCERT Solutions help in understanding rates of change?

The solutions provide step-by-step calculations for problems involving rates of change, such as how the area of a circle changes with its radius or how the surface area of a cube changes with its edge length, illustrating the application of the chain rule.

Are tangents and normals covered in these solutions?

Yes, the solutions explain how to find the equations of tangent and normal lines to curves at specific points using the derivative as the slope of the tangent.

How can these solutions be used for exam revision?

These solutions offer clear explanations and worked-out examples for all exercise problems, helping students revise concepts, practice problem-solving techniques, and identify areas needing further attention before exams.

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