Mathematics questions across competitive exams reuse a small set of ideas in many disguises, so the aim is recognition rather than memorisation. This set covers algebra, geometry and mensuration, trigonometry, number theory, statistics and probability, and applied arithmetic. Every solution shows the full working, and where a shorter route exists it is shown alongside so you can judge which one suits your speed.
Using the standard limits limu→0usinu=1 and limu→0utanu=1.
Q.25Medium
If f(x)=x3−6x2+9x+15, find the value of x at which f(x) has a local minimum.
Answer: B
f′(x)=3x2−12x+9=3(x2−4x+3)=3(x−1)(x−3)
Critical points: x=1 and x=3. \\ f′′(x)=6x−12. \\ At x=1: f′′(1)=−6<0 → local maximum. \\ At x=3: f′′(3)=6>0 → local minimum. \\ Hence the local minimum is at x=3.
Q.26Medium
The area (in square units) bounded by the curve y=x2, the x-axis, and the lines x=1 and x=3 is:
Answer: A
Area=∫13x2dx=[3x3]13=327−31=326
Hence the area is 326 square units.
Q.27Medium
If y=ln(sinx), then dxdy is:
Answer: A
ydxdy=ln(sinx)=sinx1⋅cosx=sinxcosx=cotx
Using the chain rule: dxd[ln(u)]=uu′ with u=sinx.
Q.28Medium
Evaluate ∫x2+41dx.
Answer: A
Using the standard formula ∫x2+a2dx=a1arctan(ax)+C with a=2:
∫x2+4dx=21arctan(2x)+C
Q.29Medium
The function f(x)=∣x∣ is:
Answer: A
f(x)=∣x∣ satisfies limx→0−∣x∣=0=limx→0+∣x∣=f(0), so it is continuous. However, the left-hand derivative =−1 and the right-hand derivative =+1 are unequal, so it is not differentiable at x=0. Hence f is continuous but not differentiable at x=0.
Q.30Medium
Using the Rolle's Theorem, which of the following functions satisfies all the conditions on [−1,1]?
Answer: A
Rolle's Theorem requires: (i) continuity on [a,b], (ii) differentiability on (a,b), (iii) f(a)=f(b). \\ For f(x)=1−x2 on [−1,1]: it is a polynomial (continuous and differentiable everywhere), and f(−1)=0=f(1). All conditions are met. \\ x1 is undefined at 0; ∣x∣ is not differentiable at 0; tanx has a discontinuity inside. Hence f(x)=1−x2.