How do I maximise/minimise a given function f(x)?

To find an extreme point of a function you must first take the derivative of f(x) with respect to x.
As the function will peak/trough at the extreme point, the gradient at this point will be equal to 0 and therefore f'(x) = 0 must be solved in order to find the value of x that maximise/minimise this function.
To check if the function is a minimum or a maximum you must take second order derivatives; f''(x).if f''(x) is negative, the found x value maximises the functionif f''(x) is positive, the found x value minimises the function


Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Find the derivative of the function y=3x^2e^(2x)sin(x).


Q15 from Senior Mathematical Challenge 2018: A square is inscribed in a circle of radius 1. An isosceles triangle is inscribed in the square. What is the ratio of the area of this triangle to the area of the shaded region? (Requires Diagram))


Find the derivative (dy/dx) of the curve equation x^2 -y^2 +y = 1.


Differentiate x^(1/2)ln(3x) with respect to x.