How do you use derivatives to categorise stationary points?

When investigating graphs, you will often be asked to pick out features of the graph; stationary points being the most popular. You will need to know that a stationary point on f(x) can be found by solving the following equation: f'(x)=0.Once you have found the stationary points, you will need to find the second derivative of the graph, also known as f''(x). By finding the values of f''(x) at the x-coordinates where stationary points exist, you can categorise the stationary points.If f''(x) > 0, then the stationary point is a minimum point.If f''(x) < 0, then the stationary point is a maximum point.If f''(x) = 0, then the stationary point is a point of inflection.

AW

Related Further Mathematics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

If y=x^3+9x, find gradient of the tangent at (2,1).


Differentiate y = x*cos(2x)


A curve has equation y = ax^2 + 3x, when x= -1, the gradient of the curve is -5. Work out the value of a.


Consider the Matrix M (below). Find the determiannt of the matrix M by using; (a) cofactor expansion along the first row, (b) cofactor expansion along the second column