Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Exercise | Boundless Maths
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Class 12 Maths Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Exercise Solutions

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Exercise

This Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Exercise page covers all 16 questions, solved step-by-step — mixing rate of change, increasing/decreasing functions, and maxima-minima from across the Application of Derivatives chapter, in the same multi-concept style the actual CBSE board paper uses.

16Questions
Medium–HardDifficulty Mix
2026-27CBSE Syllabus

Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Exercise — All 16 Questions

1

Show that the function given by f(x) = \dfrac{\log x}{x} has a maximum at x = e.

Medium +
Solution

f'(x) = \dfrac{1-\log x}{x^2} (quotient rule). Set f'(x)=0 \Rightarrow \log x = 1 \Rightarrow x=e.

For x<e: \log x<1 \Rightarrow f'(x)>0. For x>e: \log x>1 \Rightarrow f'(x)<0. Sign change +\to-.

So f has a maximum at x=e, with maximum value \dfrac{1}{e} (proved).
2

The two equal sides of an isosceles triangle with fixed base b are decreasing at the rate of 3 cm per second. How fast is the area decreasing when the two equal sides equal the base?

Medium +
Solution

Let equal side =a. Height h=\sqrt{a^2-\tfrac{b^2}{4}}, so area A=\tfrac{b}{2}\sqrt{a^2-\tfrac{b^2}{4}}.

\dfrac{dA}{dt} = \dfrac{ab}{2\sqrt{a^2-b^2/4}}\cdot\dfrac{da}{dt} (Chain Rule).

Given \dfrac{da}{dt}=-3; at a=b: \sqrt{a^2-b^2/4} = \dfrac{b\sqrt3}{2}.

\dfrac{dA}{dt} = \dfrac{b\cdot b}{2\cdot(b\sqrt3/2)}\cdot(-3) = \dfrac{b}{\sqrt3}\cdot(-3) = -\sqrt3\,b.

The area is decreasing at the rate of \sqrt3\,b\ \text{cm}^2\text{/s}.
3

Find the intervals in which f(x) = \dfrac{4\sin x - 2x - x\cos x}{2+\cos x} is (i) increasing (ii) decreasing.

Hard +
Solution

Differentiating using the quotient rule and simplifying (the x\sin x\cos x and 2x\sin x terms cancel) gives a strikingly clean result: f'(x) = \dfrac{\cos x(4-\cos x)}{(2+\cos x)^2}.

Since 4-\cos x>0 always and the denominator is always positive, the sign of f'(x) follows the sign of \cos x.

Increasing where \cos x>0; decreasing where \cos x<0.
4

Find the intervals in which f(x)=x^3+\dfrac{1}{x^3}, x\neq0 is (i) increasing (ii) decreasing.

Medium +
Solution

f'(x)=3x^2-\dfrac{3}{x^4} = \dfrac{3(x^6-1)}{x^4}. Since x^4>0 always, the sign follows x^6-1.

x^6-1>0 when |x|>1; x^6-1<0 when |x|<1 (excluding 0).

Increasing on (-\infty,-1)\cup(1,\infty); decreasing on (-1,0)\cup(0,1).
5

Find the maximum area of an isosceles triangle inscribed in the ellipse \dfrac{x^2}{a^2}+\dfrac{y^2}{b^2}=1 with its vertex at one end of the major axis.

Hard +
Solution

With vertex at (a,0) and the other two vertices at (x,\pm y) on the ellipse, area A=y(a-x), where y=\tfrac{b}{a}\sqrt{a^2-x^2}.

Maximising A^2 gives the critical point x=-\tfrac{a}{2}, at which y=\tfrac{\sqrt3}{2}b.

A = \tfrac{\sqrt3 b}{2}\left(a+\tfrac{a}{2}\right) = \tfrac{\sqrt3 b}{2}\cdot\tfrac{3a}{2}.

Maximum area = \dfrac{3\sqrt3}{4}ab.
6

A tank (rectangular base and sides, open top) has depth 2 m and volume 8 m³. Base costs ₹70/m², sides cost ₹45/m². Find the cost of the least expensive tank.

Hard +
Solution

Let base dimensions be x, y. Volume =2xy=8 \Rightarrow xy=4 — so the base area is fixed at 4\text{ m}^2, costing 70\times4=280 regardless of shape.

Total side area =2(2x)+2(2y)=4(x+y), costing 45\times4(x+y)=180(x+y).

Cost C(x) = 280+180\left(x+\dfrac{4}{x}\right). C'(x)=180\left(1-\dfrac{4}{x^2}\right)=0 \Rightarrow x=2, giving y=2. C''(x)>0 — minimum.

C(2)=280+180(2+2)=280+720=1000.

Minimum cost = 1000 rupees (base 2 m × 2 m).
7

The sum of the perimeter of a circle and a square is k (constant). Prove that the sum of their areas is least when the side of the square is double the radius of the circle.

Hard +
Solution

Let circle radius r, square side s. Constraint: 2\pi r+4s=k \Rightarrow s=\dfrac{k-2\pi r}{4}.

Combined area A(r)=\pi r^2+s^2. \dfrac{dA}{dr}=2\pi r+2s\left(-\dfrac{\pi}{2}\right)=2\pi r-\pi s.

Setting \dfrac{dA}{dr}=0 gives directly s=2r. \dfrac{d^2A}{dr^2}>0 — minimum.

The combined area is least exactly when s=2r (proved).
8

A window is a rectangle surmounted by a semicircular opening. Total perimeter is 10 m. Find the dimensions that admit maximum light.

Hard +
Solution

Let rectangle width =2x (so semicircle radius =x), height =y. Perimeter: 2x+2y+\pi x=10 \Rightarrow y=5-x\left(1+\tfrac{\pi}{2}\right).

Total area (light) A(x)=2xy+\tfrac12\pi x^2 = 10x - x^2\left(2+\tfrac{\pi}{2}\right).

A'(x)=10-x(4+\pi)=0 \Rightarrow x=\dfrac{10}{4+\pi}. A''(x)<0 — maximum. Substituting back gives y=\dfrac{10}{4+\pi} too.

Rectangle width =\dfrac{20}{4+\pi}\text{ m}, height =\dfrac{10}{4+\pi}\text{ m}.
9

A point on the hypotenuse of a right triangle is at distances a and b from the two legs. Show the minimum length of the hypotenuse is (a^{2/3}+b^{2/3})^{3/2}.

Hard +
Solution

Let \theta be the angle the hypotenuse makes with one leg. Writing the intercept form of the hypotenuse through the given point gives hypotenuse length L(\theta)=a\sec\theta+b\csc\theta.

\dfrac{dL}{d\theta}=a\sec\theta\tan\theta-b\csc\theta\cot\theta=0 \Rightarrow \tan^3\theta=\dfrac{b}{a}.

Substituting t=\tan\theta=(b/a)^{1/3} back into L and simplifying using 1+t^2=\dfrac{a^{2/3}+b^{2/3}}{a^{2/3}} gives L=a(1+t^2)^{3/2}.

Simplifying: L_{min}=(a^{2/3}+b^{2/3})^{3/2} (proved).
10

Find the points at which f(x)=(x-2)^4(x+1)^3 has (i) local maxima (ii) local minima (iii) point of inflexion.

Hard +
Solution

Using the product rule: f'(x)=(x-2)^3(x+1)^2(7x-2). Critical points: x=-1,\ \tfrac27,\ 2.

Testing the sign of f'(x) in each interval: positive on (-\infty,-1) and (-1,\tfrac27) (no sign change at x=-1 since (x+1)^2\geq0), negative on (\tfrac27,2), positive on (2,\infty).

Local maximum at x=\tfrac27; local minimum at x=2; point of inflexion at x=-1 (derivative touches zero but doesn't change sign).
11

Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f(x)=\cos^2x+\sin x, x\in[0,\pi].

Medium +
Solution

f'(x)=-2\sin x\cos x+\cos x=\cos x(1-2\sin x)=0 \Rightarrow x=\tfrac{\pi}{6},\tfrac{\pi}{2},\tfrac{5\pi}{6} (within [0,\pi]).

Evaluate: f(0)=1,\ f\left(\tfrac{\pi}{6}\right)=\tfrac54,\ f\left(\tfrac{\pi}{2}\right)=1,\ f\left(\tfrac{5\pi}{6}\right)=\tfrac54,\ f(\pi)=1.

Absolute maximum =\tfrac54 (at x=\tfrac{\pi}{6},\tfrac{5\pi}{6}); absolute minimum =1 (at x=0,\tfrac{\pi}{2},\pi).
12

Show that the altitude of the right circular cone of maximum volume that can be inscribed in a sphere of radius r is \dfrac{4r}{3}.

Hard +
Solution

For a cone of height h inscribed in a sphere of radius r, the base radius satisfies \rho^2=h(2r-h).

V(h)=\tfrac13\pi h^2(2r-h). V'(h)=\tfrac13\pi h(4r-3h)=0 \Rightarrow h=\tfrac{4r}{3}. V''\left(\tfrac{4r}{3}\right)<0 — maximum.

Altitude =\dfrac{4r}{3} (proved).
13

Let f be a function on [a,b] with f'(x)>0 for all x\in(a,b). Prove that f is increasing on (a,b).

Medium +
Solution
Note: This result is traditionally proved using the Mean Value Theorem. Since MVT has been removed from the CBSE syllabus from 2026-27 onwards, the solution below uses the Increasing/Decreasing Test instead.

This is the Increasing/Decreasing Test established earlier in this chapter (Exercise 6.2): if f is differentiable on an interval with f'(x)>0 at every point of it, f is increasing on that interval.

Here f'(x)>0 for every x\in(a,b) — exactly the hypothesis of that test — so applying it directly to (a,b) gives the result.

Hence f is increasing on (a,b), by the Increasing/Decreasing Test (proved).
14

Show that the height of the cylinder of maximum volume inscribed in a sphere of radius R is \dfrac{2R}{\sqrt3}. Also find the maximum volume.

Hard +
Solution

For cylinder radius x, height y inscribed in sphere of radius R: x^2+\tfrac{y^2}{4}=R^2.

V(y)=\pi\left(R^2-\tfrac{y^2}{4}\right)y. V'(y)=\pi R^2-\tfrac{3\pi}{4}y^2=0 \Rightarrow y=\dfrac{2R}{\sqrt3}. V''(y)<0 — maximum.

Substituting back: V_{max}=\dfrac{4\pi R^3}{3\sqrt3}.

Height =\dfrac{2R}{\sqrt3}; maximum volume =\dfrac{4\pi R^3}{3\sqrt3} (proved).
15

Show that the height of the cylinder of greatest volume inscribed in a cone of height h and semi-vertical angle \alpha is one-third that of the cone, and the greatest volume is \dfrac{4}{27}\pi h^3\tan^2\alpha.

Hard +
Solution

By similar triangles, cylinder radius x and height y relate as y=h-x\cot\alpha (equivalently x=(h-y)\tan\alpha).

V(x)=\pi x^2(h-x\cot\alpha). V'(x)=\pi x(2h-3x\cot\alpha)=0 \Rightarrow x=\dfrac{2h}{3}\tan\alpha.

Then y=h-x\cot\alpha=h-\dfrac{2h}{3}=\dfrac{h}{3}. V''(x)<0 — maximum.

Substituting: V_{max}=\pi\left(\dfrac{2h}{3}\tan\alpha\right)^2\cdot\dfrac{h}{3} = \dfrac{4}{27}\pi h^3\tan^2\alpha.

Height =\dfrac{h}{3}; maximum volume =\dfrac{4}{27}\pi h^3\tan^2\alpha (proved).
16

MCQ. A cylindrical tank of radius 10 m is filled with wheat at 314 m³/hour. The depth of wheat is increasing at the rate of:   (A) 1 m/h   (B) 0.1 m/h   (C) 1.1 m/h   (D) 0.5 m/h

Easy +
Solution

V=\pi r^2 h, with r=10 fixed: \dfrac{dV}{dt}=100\pi\dfrac{dh}{dt}.

314 = 100\pi\dfrac{dh}{dt}. Using \pi\approx3.14: 314=314\dfrac{dh}{dt} \Rightarrow \dfrac{dh}{dt}=1.

Answer: (A) 1 m/h

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Chapter 6 Complete!

You've worked through all 82 questions across Exercise 6.1, 6.2, 6.3 and this Miscellaneous set. Continue straight on to Chapter 7, or head back to the chapter overview for the formula cheat-sheet and common-mistakes list.

Common Questions

FAQs — Class 12 Maths NCERT Solutions Chapter 6 Miscellaneous Exercise

How many questions are there in the Miscellaneous Exercise?

The Miscellaneous Exercise has 16 questions (15 proof/solve questions plus 1 MCQ), combining rate of change, increasing/decreasing functions, and maxima-minima from across the whole chapter.

Is the Miscellaneous Exercise important for the board exam?

Yes — CBSE often draws case-study and long-answer questions from exactly this style of mixed, multi-concept problem, since it mirrors how the actual board paper combines ideas rather than testing them in isolation.

Where can I find the official NCERT textbook for this exercise?

The Miscellaneous Exercise is from Chapter 6, Application of Derivatives, in the NCERT Class 12 Mathematics textbook (Part I), published by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and prescribed by CBSE. You can download the official textbook PDF directly from ncert.nic.in, NCERT's official website — the solutions on this page follow the questions exactly as they appear there.

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