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Geometrical Application of Differentiation Summary

1. The first derivative of a function f(x) gives the gradient function and setting it equal to 0 finds the stationary points, which are local maxima or minima. 2. To determine if a stationary point is a local max or min, examine the gradient function around the point - if it changes from decreasing to increasing, it is a local min, and vice versa for a local max. 3. The second derivative f''(x) can also be used to determine if a stationary point is a local max or min - if f''(x) is negative, it is a local max (concave up), and if positive, it is a local min (concave down).

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283 views2 pages

Geometrical Application of Differentiation Summary

1. The first derivative of a function f(x) gives the gradient function and setting it equal to 0 finds the stationary points, which are local maxima or minima. 2. To determine if a stationary point is a local max or min, examine the gradient function around the point - if it changes from decreasing to increasing, it is a local min, and vice versa for a local max. 3. The second derivative f''(x) can also be used to determine if a stationary point is a local max or min - if f''(x) is negative, it is a local max (concave up), and if positive, it is a local min (concave down).

Uploaded by

LukeThompson
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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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*

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