2.

4 Sketching Graph of Functions Using Derivatives

Definition 2.4.1 Maximum and Minimum Values of a Function

Let 𝑓 be defined on an interval 𝐼 containing 𝑥0 .
1. 𝑓(𝑥0 ) is the minimum of 𝒇 on 𝑰 when 𝑓(𝑥0 ) ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in 𝐼.
2. 𝑓(𝑥0 ) is the maximum of 𝒇 on 𝑰 when 𝑓(𝑥0 ) ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in 𝐼.
3. A function 𝑓 is said to have a relative maximum value 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 ) if there is an open interval
containing 𝑥0 on which 𝑓(𝑥0 ) is a maximum. We can also say that 𝒇 has a relative
maximum at (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 )).
4. A function 𝑓 is said to have a relative minimum value 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 ) if there is an open interval
containing 𝑥0 on which 𝑓(𝑥0 ) is a minimum. We can also say that 𝒇 has a relative
minimum at (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 )).
If a function 𝑓 has either a relative maximum or a relative minimum value 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 ), then 𝑓 is
said to have a relative extremum at (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 )).

Definition 2.4.2 Critical Number and Critical Point of a Function

Let 𝑓 be defined at 𝑥0 .
1. If 𝑓 ′ (𝑥0 ) = 0 or 𝑓 ′ (𝑥0 ) does not exist, then 𝑥0 is a critical number or a critical value of
𝑓.
2. A critical point is a point (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 )) on the function 𝑓corresponding to the critical
number 𝑥0 .

Definition 2.4.3 Increasing and Decreasing Functions

1. A function 𝑓 defined on an interval is said to be increasing on that interval if for any two
numbers 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 in the interval, 𝑥1 < 𝑥2 implies 𝑓(𝑥1 ) < 𝑓(𝑥2 ).
2. A function 𝑓 defined on an interval is said to be decreasing on that interval if for any
two numbers 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 in the interval, 𝑥1 < 𝑥2 implies 𝑓 (𝑥1 ) > 𝑓(𝑥2 ).
If a function is either increasing or decreasing, then it is said to be monotonic on the interval.

Theorem 1. Test for Increasing and Decreasing Functions

Let 𝑓 be a function that is continuous on the closed interval [𝑎, 𝑏] and differentiable on the
open interval (𝑎, 𝑏).
 1. If 𝒇’(𝒙) > 𝟎 for all 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏), then 𝑓 is increasing on [𝑎, 𝑏].
2. If 𝒇’(𝒙) < 𝟎 for all 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏), then 𝑓 is decreasing on [𝑎, 𝑏].
3. If 𝒇’(𝒙) = 𝟎 for all 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏), then 𝑓 is constant on [𝑎, 𝑏].

Theorem 2. First Derivative Test for Relative Extrema

Let 𝑥0 be a critical number of a function 𝑓 that is continuous on an open interval 𝐼 containing
𝑥0 . If 𝑓 is differentiable on the interval, except possibly at 𝑥0 , then 𝑓(𝑥0 ) can be classified as
follows.
1. If 𝑓’(𝑥) changes from negative to positive at 𝑥0 , then 𝑓 has a relative minimum at
(𝑥0 , 𝑓(𝑥0 )).
𝒇′(𝒙) − − − + + +

𝒇′ (𝒙) < 𝟎 𝒇′ (𝒙) > 𝟎

( ) 𝒙
𝒂 𝒙𝟎 𝒃
𝒇(𝒙) decreasing increasing

2. If 𝑓’(𝑥) changes from positive to negative at 𝑥0 , then 𝑓 has a relative maximum at

(𝑥0 , 𝑓(𝑥0 )).
𝒇′(𝒙) + + + − − −

𝒇′ (𝒙) > 𝟎 𝒇′ (𝒙) < 𝟎

( ) 𝒙
𝒂 𝒙𝟎 𝒃
𝒇(𝒙) increasing decreasing

3. If 𝑓’(𝑥) is both positive on both sides of 𝑥0 , or negative on both sides of 𝑥0 then 𝑓(𝑥0 ) is
neither a relative maximum nor a relative minimum value.
𝒇′(𝒙) + + + + + +

𝒇′ (𝒙) > 𝟎 𝒇′ (𝒙) > 𝟎

( ) 𝒙
𝒂 𝒙𝟎 𝒃
𝒇(𝒙) increasing increasing
 𝒇′(𝒙) − − − − − −

𝒇′ (𝒙) < 𝟎 𝒇′ (𝒙) < 𝟎

( ) 𝒙
𝒂 𝒙𝟎 𝒃
𝒇(𝒙) decreasing decreasing

1
Example 1. Given the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 3 , discuss its relative maximum and
3
minimum points and the intervals where it is increasing and decreasing.
Step 1. Find the critical values of 𝑓, that is, find those values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) = 0 or
𝑓’(𝑥) does not exist.

Given the function: 1

𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 3
3

Derivative: 𝑓′(𝑥 ) = 1 − 𝑥 2

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓′(𝑥 ) = 1 − 𝑥 2 = 0

𝑓’(𝑥) = 0: 1 − 𝑥2 = 0
(1 − 𝑥 )(1 + 𝑥 ) = 0
1 − 𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 1 + 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −1
Values of 𝑥 for which Note that 𝑓’(𝑥) is a polynomial.
𝑓’(𝑥) does not exist: So, no values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥)
does not exist.
Critical Values of 𝑓: 𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −1
Function values of 1 2
𝑓 (1 ) = 1 − (1 )3 =
the critical numbers 3 3
1 2
𝑓 (−1) = −1 − (−1)3 = −
3 3

Step 2. Construct a sign chart for 𝑓’(𝑥) which summarizes the testing of the interval
determined by the critical values of 𝑓.

Interval (−∞, −1) (−1,1) (1, +∞)

Test Value 𝑥 = −2 𝑥=0 𝑥=2
′( ′( ) ′( )
Sign of 𝑓’(𝑥) 𝑓 −2) = −3 < 0 𝑓 0 =1>0 𝑓 2 = −3 < 0
Conclusion:
𝑓 is decreasing increasing decreasing
 Step 3. Applying Theorem 2 and Theorem 3 , we see that
𝑓 is decreasing on the intervals (−∞, −1) and (1, +∞)
𝑓 is increasing on the intervals (−1,1)
2
𝑓 has a relative minimum at (−1, 𝑓(−1)) = (−1, − 3)
2
𝑓 has a relative maximum at (1, 𝑓(1)) = (1, 3)

Definition 2.2.4 Concavity

1. The graph of a function 𝑓 is said to be concave upward on a given interval 𝐼, if at each
point of 𝐼 the graph of 𝑓 always remain above the line tangent to the curve at this point.
2. The graph of a function 𝑓 is said to be concave downward on a given interval 𝐼, if at
each point of 𝐼 the graph of 𝑓 always remain below the line tangent to the curve at this
point.

Theorem 3. Second Derivative Test for Concavity

Let 𝑓 be a function such that 𝑓′′(𝑥) exists for every x in some open interval I.
1. If 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) > 0 for all 𝑥 on 𝐼, then the graph of 𝑓 is concave upward on 𝐼.
2. If 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) < 0 for all 𝑥 on 𝐼, then the graph of 𝑓 is concave downward on 𝐼.

Definition 2.2.5 Point of Inflection

A point (𝑥0 , 𝑓 (𝑥0 )) is a point of inflection of the graph of the fucntion 𝑓 if the graph has a
tangent line there, and if there exists an open interval 𝐼 containing 𝑥0 such that if 𝑥 is in 𝐼, then
either
1. 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) < 0 if 𝑥 < 𝑥0 , and if 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) > 0 if 𝑥 > 𝑥0, or
2. 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) > 0 if 𝑥 < 𝑥0 , and if 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) < 0 if 𝑥 > 𝑥0.

Theorem 4.

If (𝑥0 , 𝑓(𝑥0 )) is a point of inflection of the graph of 𝑓, then either 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥0 ) = 0 or 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥0 ) does
not exist.
 1
Example 3. Given the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 3 , discuss the intervals of concavity and
the points of inflection. Construct a sketch of the graph of the function.
Step 1. Find the critical values of 𝑓, that is, find those values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) = 0 or
𝑓’(𝑥) does not exist.

Given the function: 1

𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 3
3

First Derivative: 𝑓′(𝑥 ) = 1 − 𝑥 2

Second Derivative: 𝑓 ′′(𝑥) = −2𝑥

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓 ′′(𝑥) = −2𝑥 = 0

𝑓"(𝑥) = 0: −2𝑥 = 0
𝑥=0
Values of 𝑥 for which Note that 𝑓"(𝑥) is a
𝑓"(𝑥) does not exist: polynomial. So, no values
of 𝑥 for which 𝑓"(𝑥) does
not exist.
Critical Values of 𝑓′: 𝑥=0
Function value of the 1
𝑓 (0 ) = 0 − (0 )3 = 0
critical number of 𝑓′: 3

Step 2. Construct a sign chart for 𝑓"(𝑥) which summarizes the testing of the interval
determined by the critical values of 𝑓".

Interval (−∞, 0) (0, +∞)

Test Value 𝑥 = −1 𝑥=1
Sign of 𝑓"(𝑥) 𝑓"(−1) = −2(−1) > 0 𝑓"(−1) = −2(1) < 0
Conclusion:
𝑓 is Concave upward Concave downward

Step 3. Applying Theorem 4 and Theorem 5, we see that

𝑓 is concave upward on the interval (−∞, 0)
𝑓 is concave downward on the interval (0, +∞)
𝑓 has an inflection point at (0, 𝑓(0)) = (0,0)

Now, let us sketch the graph of the given function. Recall that from Example 2, we have
𝑓 is decreasing on the intervals (−∞, −1) and (1, +∞)
 𝑓 is increasing on the intervals (−1,1)
2
𝑓 has a relative minimum at (−1, 𝑓(−1)) = (−1, − 3)
2
𝑓 has a relative maximum at (1, 𝑓(1)) = (1, 3)

The graph of the function is shown below.

1
Figure 1. Graph of the function 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 3
Desmos (2020). Desmos Inc. https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Example 4. Given the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 27, discuss its relative

maximum and minimum points, the intervals where it is increasing and decreasing, the
intervals of concavity and the points of inflection. Construct a sketch of the graph of the
function.
MONOTONICITY

Given the function: 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 27

Derivative: 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 24𝑥 2 + 36𝑥
Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓′(𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 3 − 24𝑥 2 + 36𝑥 = 0
𝑓’(𝑥) = 0: 4𝑥(𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 2 + 9) = 0
4𝑥(𝑥 − 3)2 = 0
4𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 − 3 = 0
𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 3
 Values of 𝑥 for which Note that 𝑓’(𝑥) is a polynomial. So, no values
𝑓’(𝑥) does not exist: of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) does not exist.

Critical Values of 𝑓: 𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 3
Function values of the 𝑓(0) = (0)4 − 8(0)3 + 18(0)2 − 27 = −27
critical numbers of 𝑓: 𝑓 (3) = (3)4 − 8(3)3 + 18(3)2 − 27 = 0

Interval (−∞, 0) (0,3) (3, +∞)

Test Value 𝑥 = −1 𝑥=1 𝑥=4
Sign of 𝑓’(𝑥) 𝑓 ′ (−1) = −64 < 0 𝑓 ′ (1) = 16 > 0 𝑓 ′ (4) = 16 > 0
Conclusion:
𝑓 is decreasing increasing increasing

Thus,
𝑓 is decreasing on the interval (−∞, 0)
𝑓 is increasing on the intervals (0,3) and (3, +∞)
𝑓 has a relative minimum at (0, 𝑓(0)) = (0, −27)
𝑓 does not have a relative maximum.

CONCAVITY

Given the function: 𝑓(𝑥 ) = 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 27

First Derivative: 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 24𝑥 2 + 36𝑥

Second Derivative: 𝑓"(𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 − 48𝑥 + 36

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓"(𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 − 48𝑥 + 36 = 0

𝑓"(𝑥) = 0: 12(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3) = 0
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 1) = 0
𝑥 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1
Values of 𝑥 for which Note that 𝑓"(𝑥) is a polynomial. So, no values
𝑓"(𝑥) does not exist: of 𝑥 for which 𝑓"(𝑥) does not exist.

Critical Values of 𝑓′: 𝑥 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1

Function value of the 𝑓 1 = (1) − 8(1)3 + 18(1)2 − 27 = −16
( ) 4

critical number of 𝑓′: 𝑓 (3) = (3)4 − 8(3)3 + 18(3)2 − 27 = 0

 Interval (−∞, 1) (1,3) (3, +∞)
Test Value 𝑥=0 𝑥=2 𝑥=4
Sign of 𝑓"(𝑥) 𝑓"(0) = 36 > 0 𝑓"(2) = −12 < 0 𝑓"(4) = 36 > 0
Conclusion:
𝑓 is Concave upward Concave downward Concave upward

Thus,
𝑓 is concave upward on the intervals (−∞, 1) and (3, +∞)
𝑓 is concave downward on the interval (1,3)
𝑓 has an inflection point at (1, 𝑓(1)) = (1, −16) and (3, 𝑓(3)) = (3, 0)

The graph of the function is shown below.

Figure 2. Graph of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 27

Desmos (2020). Desmos Inc. https://www.desmos.com/calculator

Theorem 5. Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema

Suppose that 𝑓′′(𝑥) exists on I and suppose that 𝑥0 ∈ 𝐼 is a critical value of f.

1. If 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) > 0, then 𝑥0 corresponds to a relative minimum value of 𝑓.
2. If 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥 ) < 0, then 𝑥0 corresponds to a relative maximum value of 𝑓.
 Example 3. Using the same function in Example 1, let us find its relative extrema using
Theorem 3. Now,
1
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 𝑥 3 ⟹ 𝑓′(𝑥 ) = 1 − 𝑥 2
3
⟹ 𝑓′′(𝑥 ) = −2𝑥
Note that the critical values of 𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −1 as shown in Example 1. Now,
𝑓 ′′ (1) = −2(1) = −2 < 0
𝑓 ′′ (−1) = −2(−1) = 2 > 0
Thus by the second derivative test for relative extrema,
𝑥 = 1 corresponds to a relative maximum value of 𝑓
𝑥 = −1 corresponds to a relative minimum value of 𝑓.

References:

Barnett R., Ziegler M., Byleen K. (2011). Calculus for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and
Social Sciences (12 ed). Prentice Hall.

Canoy S., Benitez J., Buenavista R., Tubo B. (2014). A First Course in Analytic Geometry and
Calculus. CSM-DMS, MSU-IIT

Larson R., Edwards, B. (2013). Calculus of a Single Variable. Cengage Learning.