The equation of a curve is y=e−2xtan⁡xy = e^{-2x}\tan x.

  1. (a)

    Show that dydx=e−2x(1−tan⁡x)2\dfrac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(1 - \tan x)^2.

  2. (b)

    Find, in terms of π\pi, the xx-coordinate of the stationary point for 0<x<π20 < x < \dfrac{\pi}{2}.

  3. (c)

    Explain why yy is never decreasing.

  4. (d)

    What does your answer to part (c) imply about the stationary point found in part (b)?

    Explain your answer.

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Worked solution

8(a)

1. Differentiate the function using the product rule.

Let y=e−2xtan⁡xy = e^{-2x}\tan x.
Using the product rule:
dydx=ddx(e−2x)⋅tan⁡x+e−2x⋅ddx(tan⁡x)\frac{dy}{dx} = \frac{d}{dx}(e^{-2x}) \cdot \tan x + e^{-2x} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(\tan x)
dydx=−2e−2xtan⁡x+e−2xsec⁡2x\frac{dy}{dx} = -2e^{-2x}\tan x + e^{-2x}\sec^2 x

2. Factorise and apply trigonometric identity to show the required result.

Factorising out e−2xe^{-2x}:
dydx=e−2x(sec⁡2x−2tan⁡x)\frac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(\sec^2 x - 2\tan x)
Using the identity sec⁡2x=1+tan⁡2x\sec^2 x = 1 + \tan^2 x:
dydx=e−2x(1+tan⁡2x−2tan⁡x)\frac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(1 + \tan^2 x - 2\tan x)
dydx=e−2x(1−2tan⁡x+tan⁡2x)\frac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(1 - 2\tan x + \tan^2 x)
dydx=e−2x(1−tan⁡x)2\frac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(1 - \tan x)^2

Answer

dydx=e−2x(1−tan⁡x)2\dfrac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(1 - \tan x)^2 (Shown)

8(b)

1. Set the derivative to zero to find the stationary point

For a stationary point, dydx=0\frac{dy}{dx} = 0.
e−2x(1−tan⁡x)2=0e^{-2x}(1 - \tan x)^2 = 0

2. Solve the resulting trigonometric equation for x

Since e−2x>0e^{-2x} > 0 for all xx, we must have:
(1−tan⁡x)2=0(1 - \tan x)^2 = 0
1−tan⁡x=01 - \tan x = 0
tan⁡x=1\tan x = 1
For 0<x<π20 < x < \frac{\pi}{2}, the principal value is:
x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4}

Answer

x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4}

8(c)

1. State the condition for a function to be never decreasing

A function is never decreasing if its derivative dydx≥0\frac{dy}{dx} \ge 0 for all xx in its domain.

2. Analyse the sign of the components of the derivative

From part (a), dydx=e−2x(1−tan⁡x)2\frac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(1 - \tan x)^2.
For all real xx, e−2x>0e^{-2x} > 0.
For all real xx where tan⁡x\tan x is defined, (1−tan⁡x)2≥0(1 - \tan x)^2 \ge 0.
Thus, dydx=e−2x(1−tan⁡x)2≥0\frac{dy}{dx} = e^{-2x}(1 - \tan x)^2 \ge 0 for all valid xx.
Since dydx≥0\frac{dy}{dx} \ge 0, yy is never decreasing.

Answer

Since e−2x>0e^{-2x} > 0 and (1−tan⁡x)2≥0(1 - \tan x)^2 \ge 0 for all xx, dydx≥0\frac{dy}{dx} \ge 0 for all xx. Therefore, yy is never decreasing.

8(d)

1. Relate the non-decreasing nature of the curve to the gradient around the stationary point

Since yy is never decreasing, dydx⩾0\frac{dy}{dx} \geqslant 0 for all xx in the domain. This means the gradient is positive both immediately before and immediately after the stationary point at x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4}.

2. Conclude the nature of the stationary point

Because the gradient does not change sign as it passes through zero, the stationary point is a point of inflexion.

Answer

The stationary point is a point of inflexion.

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