Find the coordinates of the stationary point of y = x^2 + x - 2

At a stationary point, the gradient/slope of the graph is 0. To find the gradient of y, we differentiate with respect to x.This gives us dy/dx = 2x + 1. Since we want to find where the gradient is 0, we set dy/dx = 2x + 1 = 0. Solving we find that x = -1/2.We now have the x coordinate of the stationary point, we now need to find the y coordinate. We plug this value back into our original equation y = x^2 + x - 2, giving us (-1/2)^2 + (-1/2) - 2 = -9/4.Therefore, the co-ordinates of the stationary point are (-1/2, -9/4).

MC
Answered by Martin C. Maths tutor

4803 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Integrate (2x)(e^x)dx


A curve has equation y = 20x −x2 −2x3 . (A) Find the x-coordinates of the stationary points of the curve.


A line L is parallel to y = 4x+5 and passes through the point (-1,6). Find the equation of the line L in the form y = ax+b.


The points A and B have position vectors 2i + 6j – k and 3i + 4j + k respectively. The line l passes through both A and B. Find a vector equation for the line l.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning