Class CBSE Class 12 Mathematics Applications of Derivatives Q #906
COMPETENCY BASED
UNDERSTAND
5 Marks 2023 LA
(a) The median of an equilateral triangle is increasing at the rate of 2√3 cm/s. Find the rate at which its side is increasing. OR (b) Sum of two numbers is 5. If the sum of the cubes of these numbers is least, then find the sum of the squares of these numbers.

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Detailed Solution

Step 1: Analyze option (a)

Let $a$ be the side of the equilateral triangle. The median of an equilateral triangle is given by $m = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}a$.

Step 2: Differentiate the median with respect to time

We are given that $\frac{dm}{dt} = 2\sqrt{3}$ cm/s. We need to find $\frac{da}{dt}$. Differentiating $m = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}a$ with respect to time $t$, we get: $$ \frac{dm}{dt} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \frac{da}{dt} $$

Step 3: Solve for the rate of change of the side

Substituting the given value of $\frac{dm}{dt}$, we have: $$ 2\sqrt{3} = \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2} \frac{da}{dt} $$ $$ \frac{da}{dt} = \frac{2 \cdot 2\sqrt{3}}{\sqrt{3}} = 4 $$ Thus, the rate at which the side is increasing is 4 cm/s.

Step 4: Analyze option (b)

Let the two numbers be $x$ and $y$. We are given that $x + y = 5$. We want to minimize $x^3 + y^3$.

Step 5: Express one variable in terms of the other

Since $x + y = 5$, we can write $y = 5 - x$. Then, we want to minimize $f(x) = x^3 + (5-x)^3$.

Step 6: Find the derivative of the function

$$ f(x) = x^3 + (5-x)^3 = x^3 + (125 - 75x + 15x^2 - x^3) = 15x^2 - 75x + 125 $$ $$ f'(x) = 30x - 75 $$

Step 7: Find the critical points

To find the critical points, set $f'(x) = 0$: $$ 30x - 75 = 0 $$ $$ x = \frac{75}{30} = \frac{5}{2} $$

Step 8: Verify that it is a minimum

$$ f''(x) = 30 > 0 $$ Since the second derivative is positive, $x = \frac{5}{2}$ corresponds to a minimum.

Step 9: Find the value of y

If $x = \frac{5}{2}$, then $y = 5 - x = 5 - \frac{5}{2} = \frac{5}{2}$.

Step 10: Calculate the sum of the squares

The sum of the squares is $x^2 + y^2 = (\frac{5}{2})^2 + (\frac{5}{2})^2 = \frac{25}{4} + \frac{25}{4} = \frac{50}{4} = \frac{25}{2}$.

Final Answer: (a) 4 cm/s OR (b) 25/2

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Pedagogical Audit
Bloom's Analysis: This is an UNDERSTAND question because the student needs to understand the concepts of related rates and optimization to solve the problem.
Knowledge Dimension: CONCEPTUAL
Justification: The question requires understanding of the concepts of derivatives, related rates, and optimization, rather than just recalling facts or following a specific procedure.
Syllabus Audit: In the context of CBSE Class 12, this is classified as COMPETENCY. The question assesses the student's ability to apply the concepts of derivatives to solve real-world problems involving rates of change and optimization.