Module 6

Critical Points on a Curve

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 Increasing and Decreasing
Functions
- Movement of points along a curve is define by the characteristics of the interval [I (a,b)] where it
belongs. Intervals are range of points with single flow of movement, either rises from left to right (increasing
interval) or falls from left to right (decreasing interval).
Intervals:
I (a,b) → increasing y
B (maximum point)
I (b,c) → decreasing
I (c,d) → increasing y=f(x)
I (d,e) → increasing E
* Critical Points- points on the curve, whose tangent is a
horizontal line ( y’=mt=0), that serves as
boundary of intervals.
A D (inflection point)
 maximum point- a summit point on the curve where
change happens from increasing to decreasing
interval.
 minimum point- the bottom point of a sag on the C (minimum point)
curve where change happens from decreasing to
increasing interval. x
 inflection point- a point on the curve between intervals a b c d e
with the same movement, either both increasing
or both decreasing intervals. Could also be
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known as a point where concavity changes.
 Maximum and Minimum Values of a Function
- To find the critical points of a function, set the first derivative W.R.T. “x” of the function to zero ( y’=0)
since these points have horizontal tangents. To determine the type of the point, investigate the left and right
intervals to categorize according to the given description of each type of critical points.

Significance of 2nd Derivative

- If the first derivative of a function is the slope of tangent at a point, the second derivative
is the opening of the curve at a certain point which is called “concavity of curve”. The second derivative
describes a critical point even without investigating the left and right intervals of the said point, this
process is called Second Derivative Test (SDT). Other inflection points that are not given by setting the
1st Derivative to zero ( y’=0) can be identified by setting the 2nd Derivative to zero ( y’’=0). Given below
is an outline for identifying critical points.

1st Derivative
Critical Points 2nd Derivative (y’’)
(y’)
(-)
maximum 0
opening downward
(+)
minimum 0
opening upward
inflection 0 0
Example: Find the critical points of 𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 𝑥 and sketch
the graph.

Solution:
𝑦′ = 5 − 5𝑥
𝑦′′ = −20𝑥 * SDT @ (1,4)
𝑦′′ = −20(1)
* equate the 1st derivative to zero (y’=0) 𝑦 = −20 → (opening downward)
0 = 5 − 5𝑥 (1,4) → maximum point
𝑥 =1 * equate the 2nd derivative to zero (y’’=0)
𝑥 = 1 ; 𝑥 = −1 0 = −20𝑥
𝑥=0
* Solve y-coordinate @ (𝑥 = −1) from the curve * Solve y-coordinate @ (𝑥 = 0) from the curve
𝑦 = 5(−1) − (−1) 𝑦 = 5(0) − (0)
𝑦 = −4 𝑦=0
* Solve y-coordinate @ (𝑥 = 1) from the curve (0,0) → in lection point
𝑦 = 5(1) − (1)
𝑦=4
* SDT @ (-1,-4)
𝑦′′ = −20(−1)
𝑦 = +20 → (opening upward)
(-1,-4) → minimum point
SKETCH:
(maximum point)

𝒚 = 𝟓𝒙 − 𝒙𝟓
(minimum point)

I1 (-∞,-1) → decreasing I2 (-1,1) → increasing I3 (1,∞) → decreasing

 Practice Problem

1. Locate and identify the critical points of the curve