Class CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Applications of Derivatives Q #1428
COMPETENCY BASED
UNDERSTAND
3 Marks 2025 AISSCE(Board Exam) SA
Find the value of 'a' for which $f(x)=\sqrt{3}\sin x-\cos x-2ax+6$ is decreasing in R.

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Detailed Solution

Step 1: Find the derivative of f(x)

To determine when the function $f(x)$ is decreasing, we need to find its derivative $f'(x)$ and analyze when $f'(x) \le 0$ for all $x$ in R.

Step 2: Calculate f'(x)

Given $f(x) = \sqrt{3}\sin x - \cos x - 2ax + 6$, we differentiate with respect to $x$:

$$f'(x) = \sqrt{3}\cos x + \sin x - 2a$$

Step 3: Apply the decreasing condition

For $f(x)$ to be decreasing in R, we must have $f'(x) \le 0$ for all $x$ in R. Therefore,

$$\sqrt{3}\cos x + \sin x - 2a \le 0$$

$$2a \ge \sqrt{3}\cos x + \sin x$$

Step 4: Find the maximum value of the trigonometric expression

We need to find the maximum value of $\sqrt{3}\cos x + \sin x$. We can rewrite this expression in the form $R\cos(x - \alpha)$, where $R = \sqrt{(\sqrt{3})^2 + 1^2} = \sqrt{3 + 1} = 2$.

So, $\sqrt{3}\cos x + \sin x = 2\cos(x - \alpha)$ for some angle $\alpha$.

The maximum value of $2\cos(x - \alpha)$ is 2, since the maximum value of $\cos(x - \alpha)$ is 1.

Step 5: Determine the condition for 'a'

Thus, we have $2a \ge 2$, which implies $a \ge 1$.

Final Answer: $a \ge 1$

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Pedagogical Audit
Bloom's Analysis: This is an UNDERSTAND question because the student needs to understand the concept of decreasing functions and how to apply derivatives to determine the intervals where a function is decreasing. They also need to understand trigonometric identities to simplify the derivative.
Knowledge Dimension: CONCEPTUAL
Justification: The question requires understanding the relationship between the derivative of a function and its increasing/decreasing behavior, as well as the concept of trigonometric functions and their maximum/minimum values.
Syllabus Audit: In the context of CBSE Class 12, this is classified as COMPETENCY. The question requires the application of calculus concepts (derivatives) to analyze the behavior of a function, combined with trigonometric concepts.