NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 6 Exercise 6.3

Welcome to the comprehensive, step-by-step NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Maths Chapter 6 (Application of Derivatives) Exercise 6.3. This exercise focuses entirely on the concepts of Maxima and Minima, specifically exploring the first derivative test, absolute maximum and minimum values, and local extrema. Mastering this exercise is crucial for CBSE Class 12 Board exams, as it frequently yields high-weightage long-answer questions.

Chapter Name Application of Derivatives
Exercise 6.3 (Maxima & Minima)
Session 2026-27
Board CBSE
Note on Rationalized Syllabus: In the latest NCERT textbook for the 2026-27 session, the topic of Tangents and Normals has been dropped. The current Exercise 6.3 covers Maxima and Minima (which was formerly designated as Exercise 6.5 in older editions). Below are the complete solutions for all questions in this rationalized exercise.

What You Will Learn in This Exercise

Key Formulas Used in This Exercise

Concept / Tool Mathematical Definition / Formula
Critical Point Condition $f'(x) = 0$ or $f'(x)$ is not defined
First Derivative Test (Local Max) $f'(x)$ changes sign from positive ($+$) to negative ($-$) at $x = c$
First Derivative Test (Local Min) $f'(x)$ changes sign from negative ($-$) to positive ($+$) at $x = c$
Absolute Extrema Evaluation Compare values at all critical points $c \in [a,b]$ along with $f(a)$ and $f(b)$

Exercise 6.3 Solutions

Question 1: Find the maximum and minimum values, if any, of the following functions given by:
(i) $f(x) = (2x-1)^2 + 3$
(ii) $f(x) = 9x^2 + 12x + 2$
(iii) $f(x) = -(x-1)^2 + 10$
(iv) $g(x) = x^3 + 1$

Part (i)

Given:
$$f(x) = (2x-1)^2 + 3$$

Formula Used:
For any real number $x$, a squared term is always non-negative: $(2x-1)^2 \ge 0$.

Step 1: Analyze the bounds of the function.
Since $(2x-1)^2 \ge 0$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$:
$$(2x-1)^2 + 3 \ge 0 + 3$$
$$f(x) \ge 3$$

Step 2: Find the minimum point.
The minimum value occurs when $(2x-1)^2 = 0$
$$2x - 1 = 0 \implies x = \frac{1}{2}$$
Substituting $x = \frac{1}{2}$ into $f(x)$ yields $3$.
Since $f(x)$ can increase indefinitely as $x \to \pm\infty$, there is no maximum value.

Final Answer: Minimum Value $= 3$ at $x = \frac{1}{2}$; No Maximum Value.


Part (ii)

Given:
$$f(x) = 9x^2 + 12x + 2$$

Formula Used:
Completing the square method: $a^2 + 2ab + b^2 = (a+b)^2$.

Step 1: Rewrite the function by completing the square.
$$f(x) = (3x)^2 + 2(3x)(2) + 4 - 2$$
$$f(x) = (3x+2)^2 - 2$$

Step 2: Analyze the minimum and maximum values.
Since $(3x+2)^2 \ge 0$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$:
$$(3x+2)^2 - 2 \ge -2$$
$$f(x) \ge -2$$

The minimum value occurs when $3x + 2 = 0 \implies x = -\frac{2}{3}$.
The function can grow infinitely large, so it has no maximum value.

Final Answer: Minimum Value $= -2$ at $x = -\frac{2}{3}$; No Maximum Value.


Part (iii)

Given:
$$f(x) = -(x-1)^2 + 10$$

Formula Used:
Since $(x-1)^2 \ge 0$, multiplying by $-1$ reverses the inequality: $-(x-1)^2 \le 0$.

Step 1: Analyze the bounds.
$$-(x-1)^2 \le 0$$
Add 10 to both sides:
$$-(x-1)^2 + 10 \le 10$$
$$f(x) \le 10$$

Step 2: Find the maximum point.
The maximum value occurs when $-(x-1)^2 = 0 \implies x = 1$
$$f(1) = 10$$
As $x$ moves away from 1, $f(x)$ decreases without bound, so there is no minimum value.

Final Answer: Maximum Value $= 10$ at $x = 1$; No Minimum Value.


Part (iv)

Given:
$$g(x) = x^3 + 1$$

Formula Used:
First Derivative Test: Critical points occur where $g'(x) = 0$.

Step 1: Differentiate the function with respect to $x$.
$$g'(x) = 3x^2$$

Step 2: Find critical points.
$$g'(x) = 0 \implies 3x^2 = 0 \implies x = 0$$

Step 3: Test the nature of the critical point.
For $x < 0$, $g'(x) = 3x^2 > 0$ (positive).
For $x > 0$, $g'(x) = 3x^2 > 0$ (positive).
Since the sign of $g'(x)$ does not change as $x$ passes through $0$, $x = 0$ is a point of inflection. The function increases continuously from $-\infty$ to $+\infty$.

Final Answer: The function has neither a maximum value nor a minimum value.

Question 2: Find the maximum and minimum values, if any, of the following functions given by:
(i) $f(x) = |x+2| - 1$
(ii) $g(x) = -|x+1| + 3$
(iii) $h(x) = \sin(2x) + 5$
(iv) $f(x) = |\sin(4x) + 3|$
(v) $h(x) = x+1, x \in (-1, 1)$

Part (i)

Given:
$$f(x) = |x+2| - 1$$

Step 1: Set up the inequality.
Absolute value property: $|x+2| \ge 0$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$.
Subtract 1 from both sides:
$$|x+2| - 1 \ge -1$$
$$f(x) \ge -1$$

Step 2: Find the point of minimum value.
$|x+2| = 0 \implies x = -2$
$$f(-2) = -1$$
The value can increase infinitely, so there is no maximum value.

Final Answer: Minimum Value $= -1$ at $x = -2$; No Maximum Value.


Part (ii)

Given:
$$g(x) = -|x+1| + 3$$

Step 1: Set up the inequality.
$-|x+1| \le 0$ for all $x \in \mathbb{R}$.
Add 3 to both sides:
$$-|x+1| + 3 \le 3$$
$$g(x) \le 3$$

Step 2: Find the point of maximum value.
$-|x+1| = 0 \implies x = -1$
$$g(-1) = 3$$

Final Answer: Maximum Value $= 3$ at $x = -1$; No Minimum Value.


Part (iii)

Given:
$$h(x) = \sin(2x) + 5$$

Step 1: Apply the range of sine.
Trigonometric range property: $-1 \le \sin(\theta) \le 1$.
$$-1 \le \sin(2x) \le 1$$
Add 5 across the inequality:
$$-1 + 5 \le \sin(2x) + 5 \le 1 + 5$$
$$4 \le h(x) \le 6$$

Final Answer: Maximum Value $= 6$, Minimum Value $= 4$.


Part (iv)

Given:
$$f(x) = |\sin(4x) + 3|$$

Step 1: Apply the range of sine.
$$-1 \le \sin(4x) \le 1$$
Add 3 across the inequality:
$$-1 + 3 \le \sin(4x) + 3 \le 1 + 3$$
$$2 \le \sin(4x) + 3 \le 4$$

Step 2: Apply the absolute value.
Since all values inside the modulus are already positive (between 2 and 4), taking the modulus does not alter the boundaries:
$$2 \le |\sin(4x) + 3| \le 4$$

Final Answer: Maximum Value $= 4$, Minimum Value $= 2$.


Part (v)

Given:
$$h(x) = x+1 \quad \text{for } x \in (-1, 1)$$

Step 1: Analyze the open interval boundaries.
Given $-1 < x < 1$. Add 1 to all parts of the inequality:
$$-1 + 1 < x + 1 < 1 + 1$$
$$0 < h(x) < 2$$

Step 2: Evaluate the presence of extrema.
Since the interval is open, $h(x)$ approaches 0 as $x \to -1^+$ and approaches 2 as $x \to 1^-$, but it never actually reaches these boundary values within the given domain.

Final Answer: The function has neither a maximum value nor a minimum value on the given open interval.

Question 3: Find the local maxima and local minima, if any, of the following functions. Find also the local maximum and the local minimum values, as the case may be:
(i) $f(x) = x^2$
(ii) $g(x) = x^3 - 3x$
(iii) $h(x) = \sin x + \cos x, 0 < x < \frac{\pi}{2}$
(iv) $f(x) = \sin x - \cos x, 0 < x < 2\pi$
(v) $f(x) = x^3 - 6x^2 + 9x + 15$
(vi) $g(x) = \frac{x}{2} + \frac{2}{x}, x > 0$
(vii) $g(x) = \frac{1}{x^2+2}$
(viii) $f(x) = x\sqrt{1-x}, 0 < x < 1$

Part (i)

Given: $f(x) = x^2$

Step 1: Differentiate w.r.t $x$: $f'(x) = 2x$.

Step 2: Set $f'(x) = 0$ to find critical points: $2x = 0 \implies x = 0$.

Step 3: Apply the first derivative test:
For $x < 0$, $f'(x) < 0$ (decreasing).
For $x > 0$, $f'(x) > 0$ (increasing).
Since $f'(x)$ changes sign from negative to positive at $x = 0$, $x=0$ is a point of local minimum.

Step 4: Compute the value: $f(0) = 0^2 = 0$.

Final Answer: Local minimum point: $x = 0$; Local minimum value $= 0$; No local maximum.


Part (ii)

Given: $g(x) = x^3 - 3x$

Step 1: Differentiate: $g'(x) = 3x^2 - 3$.

Step 2: Set $g'(x) = 0 \implies 3(x^2 - 1) = 0 \implies x = 1 \text{ or } x = -1$.

Step 3: Analyze using the First Derivative Test.
Around $x = -1$: For $x < -1$, $g'(x) > 0$. For $x > -1$ (close to -1), $g'(x) < 0$. Sign changes from $+$ to $-$. Thus, $x = -1$ is a point of local maximum.
Around $x = 1$: For $x < 1$ (close to 1), $g'(x) < 0$. For $x > 1$, $g'(x) > 0$. Sign changes from $-$ to $+$. Thus, $x = 1$ is a point of local minimum.

Step 4: Compute the values.
Local maximum value: $g(-1) = (-1)^3 - 3(-1) = -1 + 3 = 2$
Local minimum value: $g(1) = (1)^3 - 3(1) = 1 - 3 = -2$

Final Answer: Local maximum at $x = -1$ with value 2; Local minimum at $x = 1$ with value -2.


Part (iii)

Given: $h(x) = \sin x + \cos x, \quad 0 < x < \frac{\pi}{2}$

Step 1: Differentiate: $h'(x) = \cos x - \sin x$.

Step 2: Set $h'(x) = 0 \implies \cos x - \sin x = 0 \implies \tan x = 1$.
Since $0 < x < \frac{\pi}{2}$, we have $x = \frac{\pi}{4}$.

Step 3: Test the point $x = \frac{\pi}{4}$.
If $x < \frac{\pi}{4}$, $\cos x > \sin x \implies h'(x) > 0$.
If $x > \frac{\pi}{4}$, $\cos x < \sin x \implies h'(x) < 0$.
The sign of $h'(x)$ changes from positive to negative, making $x = \frac{\pi}{4}$ a point of local maximum.

Step 4: Find the local maximum value.
$h\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) + \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{2}$.

Final Answer: Local maximum at $x = \frac{\pi}{4}$ with value $\sqrt{2}$.


Part (iv)

Given: $f(x) = \sin x - \cos x, \quad 0 < x < 2\pi$

Step 1: Find $f'(x) = \cos x + \sin x$.

Step 2: Set $f'(x) = 0 \implies \cos x + \sin x = 0 \implies \tan x = -1$.
In the interval $(0, 2\pi)$, $\tan x = -1$ at:
$x = \pi - \frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{3\pi}{4}$ and $x = 2\pi - \frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{7\pi}{4}$.

Step 3: Test using the first derivative values around critical points.
At $x = \frac{3\pi}{4}$: $f'(x)$ changes from $+$ to $-$. Thus, it is a point of local maximum.
At $x = \frac{7\pi}{4}$: $f'(x)$ changes from $-$ to $+$. Thus, it is a point of local minimum.

Step 4: Compute the extreme values.
$f\left(\frac{3\pi}{4}\right) = \sin\left(\frac{3\pi}{4}\right) - \cos\left(\frac{3\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \left(-\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}\right) = \sqrt{2}$.
$f\left(\frac{7\pi}{4}\right) = \sin\left(\frac{7\pi}{4}\right) - \cos\left(\frac{7\pi}{4}\right) = -\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} - \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = -\sqrt{2}$.

Final Answer: Local maximum at $x = \frac{3\pi}{4}$ with value $\sqrt{2}$; Local minimum at $x = \frac{7\pi}{4}$ with value $-\sqrt{2}$.


Part (v)

Given: $f(x) = x^3 - 6x^2 + 9x + 15$

Step 1: Find $f'(x) = 3x^2 - 12x + 9 = 3(x^2 - 4x + 3)$.

Step 2: Factor and set to 0: $3(x-1)(x-3) = 0 \implies x = 1, \: x = 3$.

Step 3: Check sign changes for $f'(x)$.
At $x = 1$: For $x < 1$, $f'(x) > 0$. For $1 < x < 3$, $f'(x) < 0$. Sign changes from $+$ to $-$. Local Maximum.
At $x = 3$: For $1 < x < 3$, $f'(x) < 0$. For $x > 3$, $f'(x) > 0$. Sign changes from $-$ to $+$. Local Minimum.

Step 4: Calculate values.
$f(1) = 1^3 - 6(1)^2 + 9(1) + 15 = 1 - 6 + 9 + 15 = 19$
$f(3) = 3^3 - 6(3)^2 + 9(3) + 15 = 27 - 54 + 27 + 15 = 15$

Final Answer: Local maximum at $x = 1$ with value 19; Local minimum at $x = 3$ with value 15.


Part (vi)

Given: $g(x) = \frac{x}{2} + \frac{2}{x}, \quad x > 0$

Step 1: Compute $g'(x) = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{2}{x^2}$.

Step 2: Set $g'(x) = 0 \implies \frac{1}{2} = \frac{2}{x^2} \implies x^2 = 4 \implies x = 2$ (since $x > 0$).

Step 3: Apply the first derivative test around $x = 2$.
For $0 < x < 2$, $\frac{2}{x^2} > \frac{1}{2} \implies g'(x) < 0$.
For $x > 2$, $\frac{2}{x^2} < \frac{1}{2} \implies g'(x) > 0$.
Sign changes from negative to positive. Hence, $x = 2$ is a local minimum.

Step 4: Find the local minimum value: $g(2) = \frac{2}{2} + \frac{2}{2} = 1 + 1 = 2$.

Final Answer: Local minimum at $x = 2$ with value 2.


Part (vii)

Given: $g(x) = \frac{1}{x^2+2}$

Step 1: Find $g'(x)$ using the quotient/chain rule: $g'(x) = \frac{-2x}{(x^2+2)^2}$.

Step 2: Find critical points by setting $g'(x) = 0 \implies -2x = 0 \implies x = 0$.

Step 3: Analyze the first derivative behavior.
The denominator $(x^2+2)^2$ is always positive.
For $x < 0$, $g'(x) = \frac{\text{positive}}{\text{positive}} > 0$.
For $x > 0$, $g'(x) = \frac{\text{negative}}{\text{positive}} < 0$.
The derivative changes from positive to negative at $x = 0$, confirming a local maximum.

Step 4: Compute the value: $g(0) = \frac{1}{0^2+2} = \frac{1}{2}$.

Final Answer: Local maximum at $x = 0$ with value $\frac{1}{2}$.


Part (viii)

Given: $f(x) = x\sqrt{1-x}, \quad 0 < x < 1$

Step 1: Apply product rule to find $f'(x)$.
$$f'(x) = 1 \cdot \sqrt{1-x} + x \cdot \left(\frac{-1}{2\sqrt{1-x}}\right)$$
$$f'(x) = \sqrt{1-x} - \frac{x}{2\sqrt{1-x}} = \frac{2(1-x)-x}{2\sqrt{1-x}} = \frac{2-3x}{2\sqrt{1-x}}$$

Step 2: Find critical points ($f'(x) = 0$).
$$2 - 3x = 0 \implies x = \frac{2}{3}$$

Step 3: Evaluate sign changes around $x = \frac{2}{3}$.
For $x < \frac{2}{3}$, $2-3x > 0 \implies f'(x) > 0$.
For $x > \frac{2}{3}$, $2-3x < 0 \implies f'(x) < 0$.
Sign changes from $+$ to $-$. Thus, $x = \frac{2}{3}$ is a local maximum point.

Step 4: Calculate maximum value.
$$f\left(\frac{2}{3}\right) = \frac{2}{3}\sqrt{1-\frac{2}{3}} = \frac{2}{3}\sqrt{\frac{1}{3}} = \frac{2}{3\sqrt{3}} = \frac{2\sqrt{3}}{9}$$

Final Answer: Local maximum at $x = \frac{2}{3}$ with value $\frac{2\sqrt{3}}{9}$.

Question 4: Find the absolute maximum value and the absolute minimum value of the following functions in the given intervals:
(i) $f(x) = x^3, x \in [-2, 2]$
(ii) $f(x) = \sin x + \cos x, x \in [0, \pi]$
(iii) $f(x) = 4x - \frac{1}{2}x^2, x \in \left[-2, \frac{9}{2}\right]$
(iv) $f(x) = (x-1)^2 + 3, x \in [-3, 1]$

Part (i)

Given: $f(x) = x^3 \quad \text{on } [-2, 2]$

Step 1: Find critical points.
$f'(x) = 3x^2 = 0 \implies x = 0 \in [-2, 2]$

Step 2: Evaluate the function at the critical point and interval endpoints: $x = -2, 0, 2$.
$f(-2) = (-2)^3 = -8$
$f(0) = 0^3 = 0$
$f(2) = 2^3 = 8$

Step 3: Compare values to find absolute extremes.
Max value $= 8$, Min value $= -8$.

Final Answer: Absolute Maximum Value $= 8$ at $x = 2$; Absolute Minimum Value $= -8$ at $x = -2$.


Part (ii)

Given: $f(x) = \sin x + \cos x \quad \text{on } [0, \pi]$

Step 1: Identify critical points in $(0, \pi)$.
$f'(x) = \cos x - \sin x = 0 \implies \tan x = 1 \implies x = \frac{\pi}{4}$

Step 2: Evaluate $f(x)$ at $x = 0, \frac{\pi}{4}, \pi$.
$f(0) = \sin 0 + \cos 0 = 0 + 1 = 1$
$f\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \sin\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) + \cos\left(\frac{\pi}{4}\right) = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} + \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}} = \sqrt{2} \approx 1.414$
$f(\pi) = \sin \pi + \cos \pi = 0 - 1 = -1$

Step 3: Compare the values.
Highest value: $\sqrt{2}$
Lowest value: $-1$

Final Answer: Absolute Maximum Value $= \sqrt{2}$ at $x = \frac{\pi}{4}$; Absolute Minimum Value $= -1$ at $x = \pi$.


Part (iii)

Given: $f(x) = 4x - \frac{1}{2}x^2 \quad \text{on } \left[-2, \frac{9}{2}\right]$

Step 1: Differentiate to find critical points.
$f'(x) = 4 - x = 0 \implies x = 4$.
Since $4 \in \left[-2, \frac{9}{2}\right]$, it is an internal critical point.

Step 2: Compute values at $x = -2, 4, \frac{9}{2}$.
$f(-2) = 4(-2) - \frac{1}{2}(-2)^2 = -8 - 2 = -10$
$f(4) = 4(4) - \frac{1}{2}(4)^2 = 16 - 8 = 8$
$f\left(\frac{9}{2}\right) = 4\left(\frac{9}{2}\right) - \frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{9}{2}\right)^2 = 18 - \frac{81}{8} = \frac{144-81}{8} = \frac{63}{8} = 7.875$

Final Answer: Absolute Maximum Value $= 8$ at $x = 4$; Absolute Minimum Value $= -10$ at $x = -2$.


Part (iv)

Given: $f(x) = (x-1)^2 + 3 \quad \text{on } [-3, 1]$

Step 1: Find critical points.
$f'(x) = 2(x-1) = 0 \implies x = 1$
The critical point matches the right boundary of our interval.

Step 2: Evaluate at the endpoints $x = -3$ and $x = 1$.
$f(-3) = (-3-1)^2 + 3 = (-4)^2 + 3 = 16 + 3 = 19$
$f(1) = (1-1)^2 + 3 = 3$

Final Answer: Absolute Maximum Value $= 19$ at $x = -3$; Absolute Minimum Value $= 3$ at $x = 1$.

Common Doubts & FAQs

How do I solve Question 1 without using derivatives?
For algebraic functions with perfect squares like $(2x-1)^2 + 3$, you know that a real square expression cannot drop below $0$. Hence, setting the squared term to $0$ gives your absolute minimum boundary directly without running calculations through the first derivative.
Why is $x=0$ not a minimum or maximum point in Question 1(iv)?
When calculating the derivative for $g(x) = x^3 + 1$, you find $g'(x) = 3x^2$. For both negative and positive values of $x$, $3x^2$ stays strictly positive. Because the slope does not switch signs, $x=0$ marks a point of inflection rather than an extremum.
What is the basic difference between local and absolute extrema?
Local extrema represent the highest or lowest points relative to their immediate neighboring coordinates. Absolute extrema represent the definite highest or lowest value that a function outputs over its entire specified domain or closed interval.
Can an absolute extremum occur at the boundaries of an interval?
Yes. As demonstrated in Question 4, absolute maximum and minimum values frequently occur right at the interval endpoints ( $x = a$ or $x = b$) rather than exclusively at internal critical points.
What should I do if $f'(x)=0$ yields a value outside the given interval?
If a critical point falls outside the designated closed interval boundary, you must completely ignore it for absolute extrema calculations. Only process internal critical points alongside your boundary positions.
Is Exercise 6.3 important for CBSE board exams?
Yes, Exercise 6.3 focusing on Maxima and Minima is highly significant. Questions from this topic regularly appear in Section D or E as long-answer or case-study problems carrying 4 to 5 marks.
Which questions are most important in this exercise?
Question 2 (trigonometric absolute variations) and Question 3 (local extrema application) are crucial for developing foundational speed and accuracy for final testing setups.

Conclusion: Mastering Maxima and Minima in Exercise 6.3 forms the cornerstone of your calculus preparation in Class 12 Mathematics. To achieve a perfect score in this section, ensure you practice identifying critical points accurately and systematically analyzing sign transitions. Regular self-assessment using these step-by-step calculations will build your problem-solving speed and prevent trivial errors in your CBSE board exam papers. Bhai, keep practicing, memorize the structural range properties of trigonometric profiles, and always verify your boundary values!

More Class 12 Chapter 6 Exercises

More Class 12 Chemistry Chapters

More Class 12 Physics Chapters

More Class 12 Macro Economics Chapters

More Class 12 Indian Economics Chapters