How can I find the stationary points of a parabola given it's equation?

You can find the stationary points by differentiating the equation and then solving it for zero. What this means, is that you can take the power of the Xs in the equation, and differentiate by bringing the power to the front, and then subtracting one from the power in front of the X. For example, for y = X^2, differentiating it would give 2x. You can then set f(x) = 0, and find the value of x for which f(x) is equal to 0 by solving like an algebraic equation. This will give you the stationary x coordinate. You can then use this value and substitute it in for x in the original equation to solve for f(x) or y. The gives you the y coordinate of the stationary point.

MA
Answered by Miriam A. Maths tutor

6087 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A straight line passes through the points (-2, 4) and (1, 10). What is (a) the gradient of the line, (b) the y-intercept of the line and (c) the equation of the line?


How to find the exact formula of the function if the graph of it is given?


Solve the equation "3y + 5 = 11" to find the value of y.


Find x. x^2 + 6x + 5


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:

© 2026 by IXL Learning