Derivative Graph Rules

Below are three pairs of graphs. The top graph is the original function, 𝑓(𝑥), and the bottom
graph is the derivative, 𝑓′(𝑥).

What do you notice about each pair?

• If the slope of 𝑓(𝑥) is negative, then the graph of 𝑓′(𝑥) will be below the x-axis.
• If the slope of 𝑓(𝑥) is positive, then the graph of 𝑓′(𝑥) will be above the x-axis.
• All relative maximums and minimums of 𝑓(𝑥) will become x-intercepts of 𝑓′(𝑥).
• All points of inflection of 𝑓(𝑥) will become relative maximums or minimums of 𝑓′(𝑥).
Additionally, if 𝑓(𝑥) is an odd function, then 𝑓′(𝑥) is an even function. And if 𝑓(𝑥) is an even
function, then 𝑓′(𝑥) is an odd function. This means that the derivative will more than likely
have one less turn than the original function.
How To Read Derivative Graphs
Alright, this seems simple enough, but what do we do if we are given the derivative graph,
and we want to find the original function?
Once again, you just need to know what to look for!

Let’s make sense of this table with a picture. Again, the key to understanding how to analyse
the graph of the derivative is to mark up the graph, as indicated below.