Page 1
JEE Main Previous Year Questions (2021-2026):
Application of Derivatives
(January 2026)
Q1: Consider the following three statements for the function f : (0, 8) ? R defined by f(x)
= |log? x| - |x - 1| :
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0.
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1).
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8).
Then.
A: Only (I) is TRUE.
B: Only (I) and (III) are TRUE.
C: Only (II) and (III) are TRUE.
D: All (I), (II) and (III) are TRUE.
Answer: B
Explanation:
Step 1: Write f(x) without absolute values for different intervals
When x = 1, ln x is positive and x - 1 is also positive. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = ln x - (x - 1) = ln x - x + 1 for x = 1.
When 0 < x < 1, ln x is negative and x - 1 is negative. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = - ln x - (-(x - 1)) = - ln x + x - 1 for 0 < x < 1.
Step 2: Find the derivative f'(x) in both cases
For x = 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (ln x - x + 1) = 1/x - 1
For 0 < x < 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (- ln x + x - 1) = -1/x + 1
Page 2
JEE Main Previous Year Questions (2021-2026):
Application of Derivatives
(January 2026)
Q1: Consider the following three statements for the function f : (0, 8) ? R defined by f(x)
= |log? x| - |x - 1| :
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0.
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1).
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8).
Then.
A: Only (I) is TRUE.
B: Only (I) and (III) are TRUE.
C: Only (II) and (III) are TRUE.
D: All (I), (II) and (III) are TRUE.
Answer: B
Explanation:
Step 1: Write f(x) without absolute values for different intervals
When x = 1, ln x is positive and x - 1 is also positive. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = ln x - (x - 1) = ln x - x + 1 for x = 1.
When 0 < x < 1, ln x is negative and x - 1 is negative. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = - ln x - (-(x - 1)) = - ln x + x - 1 for 0 < x < 1.
Step 2: Find the derivative f'(x) in both cases
For x = 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (ln x - x + 1) = 1/x - 1
For 0 < x < 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (- ln x + x - 1) = -1/x + 1
Step 3: Check differentiability at x = 1
From the left of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = -1/1 + 1 = 0
From the right of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = 1/1 - 1 = 0
Both one-sided derivatives are equal.
So f(x) is differentiable at x = 1.
Since the formulas for f'(x) are valid everywhere for x > 0, f(x) is differentiable for all x > 0.
Step 4: Check if f(x) is increasing or decreasing
Step 5: Check the statements
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0: True
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1): False
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8): True
So only statements (I) and (III) are correct.
Q2: The least value of (cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2) is
A: 4 - v10
B: -1
C: 4 + v10
D: 1
Answer: A
Explanation:
f(?) = cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2
f(?) = (1 + cos 2?)/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3((1 - cos 2?)/2) + 2
f(?) = 1/2 + cos 2?/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3/2 - 3 cos 2?/2 + 2
f(?) = 4 - cos 2? - 3 sin 2?
f(?) = 4 - (cos 2? + 3 sin 2?)
Let g(?) = cos 2? + 3 sin 2?
Page 3
JEE Main Previous Year Questions (2021-2026):
Application of Derivatives
(January 2026)
Q1: Consider the following three statements for the function f : (0, 8) ? R defined by f(x)
= |log? x| - |x - 1| :
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0.
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1).
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8).
Then.
A: Only (I) is TRUE.
B: Only (I) and (III) are TRUE.
C: Only (II) and (III) are TRUE.
D: All (I), (II) and (III) are TRUE.
Answer: B
Explanation:
Step 1: Write f(x) without absolute values for different intervals
When x = 1, ln x is positive and x - 1 is also positive. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = ln x - (x - 1) = ln x - x + 1 for x = 1.
When 0 < x < 1, ln x is negative and x - 1 is negative. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = - ln x - (-(x - 1)) = - ln x + x - 1 for 0 < x < 1.
Step 2: Find the derivative f'(x) in both cases
For x = 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (ln x - x + 1) = 1/x - 1
For 0 < x < 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (- ln x + x - 1) = -1/x + 1
Step 3: Check differentiability at x = 1
From the left of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = -1/1 + 1 = 0
From the right of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = 1/1 - 1 = 0
Both one-sided derivatives are equal.
So f(x) is differentiable at x = 1.
Since the formulas for f'(x) are valid everywhere for x > 0, f(x) is differentiable for all x > 0.
Step 4: Check if f(x) is increasing or decreasing
Step 5: Check the statements
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0: True
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1): False
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8): True
So only statements (I) and (III) are correct.
Q2: The least value of (cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2) is
A: 4 - v10
B: -1
C: 4 + v10
D: 1
Answer: A
Explanation:
f(?) = cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2
f(?) = (1 + cos 2?)/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3((1 - cos 2?)/2) + 2
f(?) = 1/2 + cos 2?/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3/2 - 3 cos 2?/2 + 2
f(?) = 4 - cos 2? - 3 sin 2?
f(?) = 4 - (cos 2? + 3 sin 2?)
Let g(?) = cos 2? + 3 sin 2?
Q3: Let a and ß respectively be the maximum and the minimum values of the function f(?)
= 4(sin 4(7p/2 - ?) + sin 4(11p + ?)) - 2(sin 6(3p/2 - ?) + sin 6(9p - ?)), ? ? R.
Then a + 2ß is equal to :
A: 6
B: 5
C: 4
D: 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
f(?)
max
= 2 = a f(?)
min
= 2 - 1/2 = 3/2 = ß
a + 2ß = 2 + 3 = 5
Page 4
JEE Main Previous Year Questions (2021-2026):
Application of Derivatives
(January 2026)
Q1: Consider the following three statements for the function f : (0, 8) ? R defined by f(x)
= |log? x| - |x - 1| :
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0.
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1).
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8).
Then.
A: Only (I) is TRUE.
B: Only (I) and (III) are TRUE.
C: Only (II) and (III) are TRUE.
D: All (I), (II) and (III) are TRUE.
Answer: B
Explanation:
Step 1: Write f(x) without absolute values for different intervals
When x = 1, ln x is positive and x - 1 is also positive. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = ln x - (x - 1) = ln x - x + 1 for x = 1.
When 0 < x < 1, ln x is negative and x - 1 is negative. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = - ln x - (-(x - 1)) = - ln x + x - 1 for 0 < x < 1.
Step 2: Find the derivative f'(x) in both cases
For x = 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (ln x - x + 1) = 1/x - 1
For 0 < x < 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (- ln x + x - 1) = -1/x + 1
Step 3: Check differentiability at x = 1
From the left of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = -1/1 + 1 = 0
From the right of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = 1/1 - 1 = 0
Both one-sided derivatives are equal.
So f(x) is differentiable at x = 1.
Since the formulas for f'(x) are valid everywhere for x > 0, f(x) is differentiable for all x > 0.
Step 4: Check if f(x) is increasing or decreasing
Step 5: Check the statements
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0: True
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1): False
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8): True
So only statements (I) and (III) are correct.
Q2: The least value of (cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2) is
A: 4 - v10
B: -1
C: 4 + v10
D: 1
Answer: A
Explanation:
f(?) = cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2
f(?) = (1 + cos 2?)/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3((1 - cos 2?)/2) + 2
f(?) = 1/2 + cos 2?/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3/2 - 3 cos 2?/2 + 2
f(?) = 4 - cos 2? - 3 sin 2?
f(?) = 4 - (cos 2? + 3 sin 2?)
Let g(?) = cos 2? + 3 sin 2?
Q3: Let a and ß respectively be the maximum and the minimum values of the function f(?)
= 4(sin 4(7p/2 - ?) + sin 4(11p + ?)) - 2(sin 6(3p/2 - ?) + sin 6(9p - ?)), ? ? R.
Then a + 2ß is equal to :
A: 6
B: 5
C: 4
D: 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
f(?)
max
= 2 = a f(?)
min
= 2 - 1/2 = 3/2 = ß
a + 2ß = 2 + 3 = 5
Q4: Let f(x) = x² °² 5 - x² ° ° °, x ? [0, 1] and the minimum value of the function f(x) in the
interval [0, 1] be (80) 8 °(n) ? 8¹. Then n is equal to
A: -40
B: -41
C: -80
D: -81
Answer: D
Explanation:
f(x) = x² °² 5 - x² ° ° ° ; x ? [0, 1]
f'(x) = 2025x² °² 4 - 2000x¹ ? ? ? = x¹ ? ? ?(2025x 5 - 2000)
f'(x) = 0 => x 5 = 80/81
f(x) = (x 5) 8¹ - (x 5) 8 °
= (80/81) 8¹ - (80/81) 8 °
= (80/81) 8 ° (-1/81)
= (80) 8 °(-81) ? 8¹
Q5: Here is the text form of both images:
Let f : R ? R be a twice differentiable function such that f?(x) > 0 for all x ? R and f'(a - 1)
= 0, where a is a real number.
Consider the following two statements:
(I) g is increasing in (0, p/4)
(II) g is decreasing in (p/4, p/2)
Then,
A Both (I) and (II) are True
B Neither (I) nor (II) is True
C Only (I) is True
D Only (II) is True
Answer: B
Explanation:
g(x) = f((tan x - 1)² + a - 1)
g'(x) = f'((tan x - 1)² + a - 1) · 2(tan x - 1) · sec²x. ...(i)
Given f?(x) > 0 ?x ? R
Page 5
JEE Main Previous Year Questions (2021-2026):
Application of Derivatives
(January 2026)
Q1: Consider the following three statements for the function f : (0, 8) ? R defined by f(x)
= |log? x| - |x - 1| :
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0.
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1).
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8).
Then.
A: Only (I) is TRUE.
B: Only (I) and (III) are TRUE.
C: Only (II) and (III) are TRUE.
D: All (I), (II) and (III) are TRUE.
Answer: B
Explanation:
Step 1: Write f(x) without absolute values for different intervals
When x = 1, ln x is positive and x - 1 is also positive. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = ln x - (x - 1) = ln x - x + 1 for x = 1.
When 0 < x < 1, ln x is negative and x - 1 is negative. So:
f(x) = |ln x| - |x - 1| = - ln x - (-(x - 1)) = - ln x + x - 1 for 0 < x < 1.
Step 2: Find the derivative f'(x) in both cases
For x = 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (ln x - x + 1) = 1/x - 1
For 0 < x < 1,
f'(x) = d/dx (- ln x + x - 1) = -1/x + 1
Step 3: Check differentiability at x = 1
From the left of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = -1/1 + 1 = 0
From the right of x = 1: f'(1 ?) = 1/1 - 1 = 0
Both one-sided derivatives are equal.
So f(x) is differentiable at x = 1.
Since the formulas for f'(x) are valid everywhere for x > 0, f(x) is differentiable for all x > 0.
Step 4: Check if f(x) is increasing or decreasing
Step 5: Check the statements
(I) f is differentiable at all x > 0: True
(II) f is increasing in (0, 1): False
(III) f is decreasing in (1, 8): True
So only statements (I) and (III) are correct.
Q2: The least value of (cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2) is
A: 4 - v10
B: -1
C: 4 + v10
D: 1
Answer: A
Explanation:
f(?) = cos²? - 6 sin ? cos ? + 3 sin²? + 2
f(?) = (1 + cos 2?)/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3((1 - cos 2?)/2) + 2
f(?) = 1/2 + cos 2?/2 - 3 sin 2? + 3/2 - 3 cos 2?/2 + 2
f(?) = 4 - cos 2? - 3 sin 2?
f(?) = 4 - (cos 2? + 3 sin 2?)
Let g(?) = cos 2? + 3 sin 2?
Q3: Let a and ß respectively be the maximum and the minimum values of the function f(?)
= 4(sin 4(7p/2 - ?) + sin 4(11p + ?)) - 2(sin 6(3p/2 - ?) + sin 6(9p - ?)), ? ? R.
Then a + 2ß is equal to :
A: 6
B: 5
C: 4
D: 3
Answer: B
Explanation:
f(?)
max
= 2 = a f(?)
min
= 2 - 1/2 = 3/2 = ß
a + 2ß = 2 + 3 = 5
Q4: Let f(x) = x² °² 5 - x² ° ° °, x ? [0, 1] and the minimum value of the function f(x) in the
interval [0, 1] be (80) 8 °(n) ? 8¹. Then n is equal to
A: -40
B: -41
C: -80
D: -81
Answer: D
Explanation:
f(x) = x² °² 5 - x² ° ° ° ; x ? [0, 1]
f'(x) = 2025x² °² 4 - 2000x¹ ? ? ? = x¹ ? ? ?(2025x 5 - 2000)
f'(x) = 0 => x 5 = 80/81
f(x) = (x 5) 8¹ - (x 5) 8 °
= (80/81) 8¹ - (80/81) 8 °
= (80/81) 8 ° (-1/81)
= (80) 8 °(-81) ? 8¹
Q5: Here is the text form of both images:
Let f : R ? R be a twice differentiable function such that f?(x) > 0 for all x ? R and f'(a - 1)
= 0, where a is a real number.
Consider the following two statements:
(I) g is increasing in (0, p/4)
(II) g is decreasing in (p/4, p/2)
Then,
A Both (I) and (II) are True
B Neither (I) nor (II) is True
C Only (I) is True
D Only (II) is True
Answer: B
Explanation:
g(x) = f((tan x - 1)² + a - 1)
g'(x) = f'((tan x - 1)² + a - 1) · 2(tan x - 1) · sec²x. ...(i)
Given f?(x) > 0 ?x ? R
? f'(x) is increasing function
Case (i) $0
0 < tan x > 1 -1 < tan x - 1 < 0 0 < (tan x - 1)² < 1 a - 1 < (tan x - 1)² + (a - 1) < a ? f'((tan x -
1)² + a - 1) > f'(a - 1) = 0
From (i) g'(x) = (+)(-)(+) = -ve
g(x) is decreasing in (0, p/4)
Similarly we can prove that g(x) is increasing in (p/4, p/2)
Q6: Let (2a, a) be the largest interval in which the function f(t) = |t+1|/t², t < 0, is strictly
decreasing. Then the local maximum value of the function g(x) = 2 log?(x - 2) + ax² + 4x -
a, x > 2, is ____
Answer: 4
Explanation:
If t < -1, f'(t) = (t+2)/t³
roots is t = -2
for t ? (-2, -1), f'(t) < 0, decreasing interval
t ? (-8, -2), f'(t) > 0, Increasing interval
If t ? (-1, 0), f'(t) = -(t+2)/t³
f'(t) > 0
so t ? (-1, 0) is increasing interval.
It is given that (2a, a) is the largest interval in which f(t) is decreasing matches with t ? (-2, -1).
so, a = -1.
now, g(x) = 2 log?(x - 2) + ax² + 4x - a, x > 2
substitute a = -1
g(x) = 2 log?(x - 2) - x² + 4x + 1, x > 2 ? g'(x) = 2 · 1/(x-2) - 2x + 4
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