Geometrical application of Differentiation Summary

The First Derivative

The first derivative
) ( ' x f
gives the gradient function
Make
0 ) ( ' = x f
and it gives the stationary point
There are turning points: local maximums and local minimums which tell us
which way the curves in
) (x f
are going.
It is a local minimum if:
0 ) ( ' > x f
if
a x <
(but near
a
)
0 ) ( ' = x f
at 0 = x
0 ) ( ' < x f
if
a x >
(but near
a
)
It is a local maximum if:
0 ) ( ' < x f
if
a x <
(but near
a
)
0 ) ( ' = x f
at 0 = x
0 ) ( ' > x f
if
a x >
(but near
a
)
Generic steps to draw a function using first derivative:
1. Take the function e.g. 16 12 ) (
3
+ = x x x f
2. ifferentiate to get the gradient function
) ( ' x f
. Make
0 ) ( ' = x f
so we can find the stationary points (
x
values)
!. Mark these
x
values on the
x
axis (and hence sketch
) ( ' x f
!! the
gradient function)
". "ind if it is a local maximum or local minimum by looking at the gradient
function
) ( ' x f
(if it is decreasing then increasing or vice versa) #$ by
using
#. %ubstitute these
x
values back into
) (x f
to find the
y
values. This
will give the complete stationary point
) , ( y x
$. &lot these on the graph. This will be the turning points of
) (x f
%. 'ow sketch them with your knowledge of the stationary points( the
turning points and whether they are maximum or minimum.
The Second Derivative
arshil %hah &age 1 of 2
)
)
The first derivative
) ( ' x f
gives the stationary points but a lot must be done to
figure out if they are local min or max.
The second derivative ) ( " x f can be used to find if it is a local minimum
or local maximum.
Generic steps to find the second derivative:
1. Make sure the stationary points are found through
0 ) ( ' = x f
.
2. "ind ) ( " x f
. %ubstitute
x
values from 1. to ) ( " x f
!.
arshil %hah &age 2 of 2
If 0 ) ( " < x f then it is a &ocal 'a( )concave down*
If 0 ) ( " > x f then it is a &ocal 'in )concave up*