a We have seen that the first derivative f"(r) gives the gradient of the curve y= f(x) for any value of x The second derivative f(z) tells us the rate of change of the gradient j’(r). It therefore gives us information about the shape or curvature of the curve y= f(x). When a curve, or part of a curve, has shape: we say that the curve is eoneaye down NEA we say that the curve is concave up. For example: © the curve f(r) is concave down m=0 Wherever we are on the curve, as wv increases, the gradient of the tangent decreases. f'(z) is decreasing i"(a) <0.© the curve f(r) = is concave up. the gradient of the tangent increases. J'(c) is increasing I"(a) > 0, m=0 We conclude that: A curve is concave down on an interval Se f"(x) <0 forall res. le A curve is concave up on an interval S f"(x) 20 forall res. Ne Find intervals where the curve Groce concave up or concave down: 3 3x2 y= 203 — 32? + dr 6 Wherever we are on the curve, as 4 and concave down for x < which has sign diagram: «——+ 1 — _£"() The curve is concave up for « <3 and concave down for > 3.496 PROPERTIES OF CURVES (Chapter 18) EXERCISE 18E 1a Complete the table by indicating whether each value is zero, positive, or negative: mouaw> & Describe the tuming points of y = f(r). © At which point does the shape of y= f(r) change? 2° 432? 5242 is shown 2 The graph of f(z) alongside. a Find f/(r) and f(x). b Draw the sign diagram of /"(c). ¢ State the interval on which the function is: i concave up li concave down Se) =25-4322—52 +2 3 Determine the shape of each quadratic function: a y=2r?-3r44 b y=-2(r-3)(r+1) © y=-4-a? +60 d y=(5-2)(1-2z) 4 For each of the following funetions, determine the interval(s) on which the function is: i increasing li decreasing fii concave up lv concave down. a f@=r41 b f(x) =-23 © fase 128? d f(x)= e f(x) f f(z) al 5 Consider f(x) = In(2x—1) 3. a. Find the x-intercept. b Can f(0) be found? What is the significance of this result? Find the domain of f. Find the gradient of the tangent to the curve at = 1. Find f’"(z), and hence explain why f(z) is concave down for all « in the domain of f. Graph the funetion, showing the features you have found. 6 Consider f(z) =Inz. a For what values of «is f(x) defined? b Draw the sign diagrams of J”(xr) and f’"(r), and give a geometrical interpretation of each. © Find the equation of the normal to y = f(a) at the point where y = 1.PROPERTIES OF CURVES (Chapter 18) 497 7. Find intervals where the curve is concave up or concave down: a f(e)=-29+30-2 b y= © f@)=++ine 32 Ing 4 f= ey t se) 8 Find intervals where the curve f(x) an is: 2 increasing b decreasing © concave up concave down. 9 Consider the function f(r) =< a Does the graph of y= f(r) have any x or y-intercepts? b Discuss f(x) as x 00 and as x —o0 ¢ Find and classify any stationary points of y = f(z) Find the intervals where f(x) is i concave up i concave down, Sketch the graph of y (2), showing all important features. £ Find the equation of the tangent to f(a = at the point where x [I itection poms A point of inflection is a point at which the tangent to the curve crosses the curve. Ata point of inflection, f(x) = 0. DEMO A.) l® inflection inflection If the tangent at a point of inflection is horizontal, then this is a stationary infleetion py wa inflection ee 1= fle tangent ~ gradient = 0 f"(x) has sign diagram 4 + 1 — J") y=Sl2) o = If the tangent at a point of inflection is not horizontal, then this is a non-stationary inflection point. non-stationary inflection tangent i gradient #0 F(z) has sign diagram) #41 +i ) Jf") has sign diagram ae498__ PROPERTIES OF CURVES (Chapter 18) The tangent at the point of inflection, also called the infleeting tangent, crosses the curve at that point. There is a point of inflection at =a if f"(a) =O and the sign of f(x) changes ate ‘The point of inflection is a: ‘* stationary infleetion if f"(a) = 0 ‘© non-stationary inflection if f"(a) 4 0. Notice that if f(r) =< then f'(xr) = 4r* and f(x) = 120. J'"(o) has sign diagram ty so) 0 = Although f"(0) = 0 we do not have a point of inflection at (0,0) because the sign of /”() does not change at « = 0. local minimum (0,0) SUMMARY ‘turning points non-stationary inflections ‘stationary inflections fi(z)=0 fa)= and change of sign Click on the demo icon to examine some common functions for turing points, points of =e inflection, and intervals where the functi down, increasing, decreasing, and concave up ot Ere Doar Consider f(a) = 3x4 — 162 + 242? —9, Find and classify all points where "(zr) = 0. Find and classify all points of inflection. Find intervals where the function is increasing or decreasing, Find intervals where the function is concave up or down. Sketch the function showing the features you have found. a S (x) = 3x4 — 1623 + 242? — f(a) S— 4807 +480 oo. f'(x) has sign diagram: = 122(z? — dx + 4) FA Es + f@ 2-2)? v 7 2 Now f(0)=-9 and f(2)=7 (0, -9) isa local minimum and (2, 7) is a stationary inflection.PROPERTIES OF CURVES (Chapter 18) 499. b f"(x) = 362? — 96a + 48 . (x) has sign diagram: 12(32? — 82 +4) a - + fe) = 12(x — 2)(3¢ — 2) 3 Poe Now (3) ~—2.48 (2, 7) isa stationary inflection and (3, —2.48) is a non-stationary inflection. © f(a) is decreasing for x <0 e stationary +e increasi inflection J(2) is increasing for « > 0. y=f(a) (7) f(x) is concave up for x <% and x >2 f(x) is coneave down for 3 0, where A and b are positive constants. a Prove that the function has: 1 {a local maximum at t= > lia point of inflection at t= Sketch the function, showing the features you have found. c Consider the logistic fimetion f(t) = ——y, £20, where A, b, and C are positive constants. a. Find the intercept. Prove that y= Cis its horizontal asymptote. b © Prove that if A> 1, there is a point of inflection with y-coordinate £. Sketch the function, showing the features you have found,502 _ PROPERTIES OF CURVES (Chapter 18) 13. Find the point of inflection of: a y=aresine & y=aretan(x~ })