Section 2.
2
Using Second Derivative to
Classify Maximum and Minimum
Values and Sketch Graphs
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Back Down Memory Lane
You may recall from College Algebra a concept known as “Turning
Points.” This was a method of being able to determine how many
times a function’s graph turned. Now, we take that same concept in
this course and the “turning” behavior of a graph is now called its
concavity. The second derivative plays a pivotal role in analyzing the
concavity of a function’s graph.
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Turning Points
A polynomial function of degree 𝒏 has at most 𝒏 − 𝟏 turning points, with at least one
turning point between each pair of successive zeros.
𝑻𝑷 = 𝒏 − 𝟏
Odd Degree Polynomial Behavior Even Degree Polynomial Behavior
𝒂>𝟎 𝒂<𝟎 𝒂<𝟎
𝒂>𝟎
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and
Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Ex: Determine the turning points and describe the end behavior
of the function: 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟕
Turning Points (TP) Graph Behavior
𝒂=𝟏
𝑻𝑷 = 𝒏 − 𝟏 ; 𝒏 = 𝟐
Since 𝒂 > 𝟎, the graph
𝑻𝑷 = 𝟐 − 𝟏 will OPEN UPWARD.
𝑻𝑷 = 𝟏
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and
Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Ex: Determine the turning points and describe the end behavior
of the function: 𝒇 𝒙 = −𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟖
Turning Points (TP) Graph Behavior
𝒂 = −𝟏
𝑻𝑷 = 𝒏 − 𝟏 ; 𝒏 = 𝟑
Since 𝒂 < 𝟎, the graph will
𝑻𝑷 = 𝟑 − 𝟏 OPEN DOWNWARD.
𝑻𝑷 = 𝟐
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Concavity: Increasing and Decreasing Derivatives
The graphs of two functions are shown below. The graph of f is
turning down and the graph of g is turning up. Let’s see if we can
relate these observations to the functions’ derivatives.
g
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Concavity: Increasing and Decreasing Derivatives
Consider first the graph of f. Take a ruler, or straightedge, and draw
tangent lines as you move along the curve from left to right. What
happens to the slopes of the tangent lines? Do the same for the graph of
g. Look at the curvature and decide whether you see a pattern.
g
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Concavity: Increasing and Decreasing Derivatives
Concave Up Concave Up Concave Down Concave Down
Decreasing Increasing Increasing Decreasing
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Concavity: Increasing and Decreasing Derivatives
Test for Concavity
THEOREM
Let f be a function whose second derivative exists on an open interval I.
1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 > 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
upward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is increasing, so f is turning up on I.)
2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 < 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
downward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is decreasing, so f is turning down on I.)
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and
Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of the function below is
concave upward and concave downward.
𝟏 𝟑
𝒇 𝒙 = − 𝒙 + 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟏𝒙 − 𝟓𝟎 Test The Interval
𝟑
Find the 2nd Derivative
𝒇′ 𝒙 = −𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟏 −∞ 𝟎 𝟔 ∞
𝒇′′ 𝒙 = −𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐 THEOREM
Let f be a function whose second derivative exists on an open interval I.
−𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟎 1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 > 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
upward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is increasing, so f is turning up on I.)
−𝟐𝒙 = −𝟏𝟐 2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 < 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
downward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is decreasing, so f is turning down on I.)
𝒙=𝟔
𝒇′′ 𝟓 = −𝟐 𝟓 + 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟐 > 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑼𝒑: −∞, 𝟔
𝒇′′ 𝟕 = −𝟐 𝟕 + 𝟏𝟐 = −𝟐 < 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏: 𝟔, ∞
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and
Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of the function below is
concave upward and concave downward.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟗𝒙 − 𝟏𝟑 Test The Interval
Find the 2nd Derivative
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟗
𝒇′′ 𝒙 = 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟔 −∞ −𝟏 𝟎 ∞
THEOREM
𝟔𝒙 + 𝟔 = 𝟎 Let f be a function whose second derivative exists on an open interval I.
𝟔𝒙 = −𝟔 1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 > 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
upward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is increasing, so f is turning up on I.)
𝒙 = −𝟏 2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 < 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
downward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is decreasing, so f is turning down on I.)
𝒇′′ −𝟐 = 𝟔 −𝟐 + 𝟔 = −𝟔 < 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏: −∞, −𝟏
𝒇′′ 𝟎 = 𝟔 𝟎 + 𝟔 = 𝟔 > 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑼𝒑: −𝟏, ∞
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
𝟔
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of 𝒇 𝒙 = is
𝒙𝟐 +𝟑
concave upward and concave downward.
Find the 2nd Derivative
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟎 − (𝟔)(𝟐𝒙)
𝒇′ 𝒙 =
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟐
𝟎 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟐
𝒙 +𝟑 𝟐
−𝟏𝟐𝒙
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝟐
𝒙 +𝟑
Continue→
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and
Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
𝟔
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of 𝒇 𝒙 = is
𝒙𝟐 +𝟑
concave upward and concave downward.
Find the 2nd Derivative
−𝟏𝟐𝒙 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 (−𝟏𝟐) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 + 𝟒𝟖𝒙𝟐
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 =
𝒙 +𝟑 𝟐 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟒
(−𝟏𝟐) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 + 𝟒𝟖𝒙𝟐
𝟐
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 (−𝟏𝟐) − (−𝟏𝟐𝒙)(𝟐) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 (𝟐𝒙) 𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 =
𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟑
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟐 𝟐
−𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝟔 + 𝟒𝟖𝒙𝟐
𝟐
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 (−𝟏𝟐) − (−𝟐𝟒𝒙) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 (𝟐𝒙) 𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 =
𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟑
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟒
𝟐 − 𝟑𝟔 𝟑𝟔 𝒙𝟐−𝟏
𝟐 𝟑𝟔𝒙
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 (−𝟏𝟐) + (𝟐𝟒𝒙) 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 (𝟐𝒙) 𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝟑
𝒐𝒓
𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 = 𝒙 +𝟑 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟑
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟒
Continue→
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum Values
and Sketch Graphs
𝟔
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐 is
𝒙 +𝟑
concave upward and concave downward.
Test The Interval
Find the Critical Value(s)
𝟑𝟔 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏
𝒇′′ 𝒙 =
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑 𝟑 −∞ 𝟎 ∞
−𝟏 𝟏
𝟑𝟔 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏 = 𝟎 THEOREM
Let f be a function whose second derivative exists on an open interval I.
𝟑𝟔 ≠ 𝟎 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏 = 𝟎 1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 > 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave upward on the
interval I. (𝒇′ is increasing, so f is turning up on I.)
𝒙𝟐 = 𝟏 2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 < 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave downward on the
interval I. (𝒇′ is decreasing, so f is turning down on I.)
𝒙𝟐 = ± 𝟏 ′′
𝒇 −𝟐 =
𝟑𝟔 −𝟐 𝟐
−𝟏
=
𝟏𝟒𝟑
> 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑼𝒑: −∞, −𝟏
𝟑 𝟑𝟒𝟑
−𝟐 𝟐 +𝟑
𝒙 = ±𝟏 ′′
𝒇 𝟎 =
𝟑𝟔 𝟎 𝟐
−𝟏
=−
𝟏
< 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏: −𝟏, 𝟏
𝟑 𝟐𝟕
𝟎 𝟐 +𝟑
𝟐
𝟑𝟔 𝟐 −𝟏 𝟏𝟒𝟑
′′ >𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑼𝒑: 𝟏, ∞,
𝒇 𝟐 = 𝟑
=
𝟐 𝟐 +𝟑 𝟑𝟒𝟑
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of the function
below is concave upward and concave downward.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟐𝟒𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟏
Try for yourself!
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of the function
below is concave upward and concave downward.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙
Try for yourself!
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the open intervals on which the graph of the function
below is concave upward and concave downward.
𝒇 𝒙 = −𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒
Try for yourself!
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
THEOREM
Let f be a function such that f’(c) = 0 and the second derivative of f exists
on an open interval containing c.
1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 > 𝟎, then f has a relative minimum at (c, f(c)).
2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 < 𝟎, then f has a relative maximum at (c, f(c)).
3. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 = 𝟎, then the test fails. That is f may have a relative
maximum, a relative minimum, or neither.
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the relative extrema for the given function.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟗𝒙 − 𝟏𝟑 THEOREM
Find the 1st Derivative Let f be a function such that f’(c) = 0 and the second
derivative of f exists on an open interval containing c.
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟗 1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 > 𝟎, then f has a relative minimum at (c, f(c)).
𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟗 = 𝟎 2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 < 𝟎, then f has a relative maximum at (c, f(c)).
𝒙𝟐
+ 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑 = 𝟎 3. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 = 𝟎, then the test fails. That is f may have a
relative maximum, a relative minimum, or neither.
𝒙+𝟑 𝒙−𝟏 =𝟎
𝒄 = −𝟑; 𝒇 −𝟑 = −𝟑 𝟑 + 𝟑 −𝟑 𝟐 − 𝟗 −𝟑 − 𝟏𝟑 = 𝟏𝟒; −𝟑, 𝟏𝟒 Rel. Max
𝒙 = −𝟑 and 𝒙 = 𝟏 𝒄 = 𝟏; 𝒇 𝟏 = 𝟏 𝟑 +𝟑 𝟏 𝟐 − 𝟗 𝟏 − 𝟏𝟑 = −𝟏𝟖 ; 𝟏, −𝟏𝟖 Rel. Min
𝒇′′ −𝟑 = 𝟔 −𝟑 + 𝟔 = −𝟏𝟐 < 𝟎 Rel. Max
Find the 2nd Derivative
𝒇′′ 𝟏 = 𝟔 𝟏 + 𝟔 = 𝟏𝟐 > 𝟎 Rel. Min
𝒇′ ′ 𝒙 = 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟔
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the relative extrema for the given function.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟗𝒙 − 𝟏 THEOREM
Find the 1st Derivative Let f be a function such that f’(c) = 0 and the second
derivative of f exists on an open interval containing c.
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟗 1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 > 𝟎, then f has a relative minimum at (c, f(c)).
𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟗 = 𝟎 2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 < 𝟎, then f has a relative maximum at (c, f(c)).
𝒙𝟐
− 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟑 = 𝟎 3. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 = 𝟎, then the test fails. That is f may have a
relative maximum, a relative minimum, or neither.
𝒙−𝟑 𝒙+𝟏 =𝟎
𝒄 = 𝟑; 𝒇 𝟑 = 𝟑 𝟑 −𝟑 𝟑 𝟐 − 𝟗 𝟑 − 𝟏 = −𝟐𝟖 ; 𝟑, −𝟐𝟖 Rel. Min
𝒙 = 𝟑 and 𝒙 = −𝟏 𝒄 = −𝟏; 𝒇 −𝟏 = −𝟏 𝟑 − 𝟑 −𝟏 𝟐 − 𝟗 −𝟏 − 𝟏 = 𝟒 ; −𝟏, 𝟒 Rel. Max
Find the 2nd Derivative 𝒇′′ 𝟑 = 𝟔 𝟑 − 𝟔 = 𝟏𝟐 > 𝟎 Rel. Min
𝒇′′ −𝟏 = 𝟔 −𝟏 − 𝟔 = −𝟏𝟐 < 𝟎 Rel. Max
𝒇′′ 𝒙 = 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟔
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the relative extrema for the given function.
𝒇 𝒙 = −𝒙𝟑 + 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐
Try for yourself!
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the relative extrema for the given function.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙𝟒
Try for yourself!
Definition of Point of Inflection
Let f be a function that is continuous on an open
interval and let c be a point in the interval. If the
graph of f has a tangent line at this point (c,f(c)), this
point is a point of inflection of the graph of f if the
concavity of f changes from upward to downward
or downward to upward at the point.
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
THEOREM
If (c,f(c)) is a point of inflection of the graph of f,
then either 𝒇′ ′ 𝒄 = 𝟎 or 𝒇′ ′ does not exist at x = c.
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Definition of Point of Inflection
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Definition of Point of Inflection
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the point(s) of inflection for the function 𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟒𝒙𝟑 .
Find the Inflection Point(s)
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟒𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐
𝒇′′ 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟒𝒙
𝟏𝟐𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟒𝒙 = 𝟎 𝑷𝑶𝑰: 𝟎, 𝟎 & 𝟐, −𝟏𝟔
𝟏𝟐𝒙 𝒙 − 𝟐 = 𝟎
𝟏𝟐𝒙 = 𝟎 𝒙−𝟐=𝟎
𝒙=𝟎 𝒙=𝟐
𝒇 𝟎 = (𝟎)𝟒 −𝟒 𝟎 𝟑 = 𝟎
𝒇 𝟐 = (𝟐)𝟒 −𝟒 𝟐 𝟑
= −𝟏𝟔
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the point(s) of inflection for the function.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟑𝒙𝟓 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙𝟑
Find the Inflection Point(s) 𝒇 𝟎 = 𝟑(𝟎)𝟓 −𝟐𝟎 𝟎 𝟑
=𝟎
𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟓𝒙𝟒 − 𝟔𝟎𝒙𝟐
𝟑
𝒇′′ 𝒙 = 𝟔𝟎𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝒙 𝒇 − 𝟐 = 𝟑(− 𝟐)𝟓 −𝟐𝟎 − 𝟐 = 𝟐𝟖 𝟐
𝟔𝟎𝒙𝟑 − 𝟏𝟐𝟎𝒙 = 𝟎
𝟑
𝟔𝟎𝒙 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐 = 𝟎 𝒇 𝟐 = 𝟑( 𝟐)𝟓 −𝟐𝟎 𝟐 = −𝟐𝟖 𝟐
𝟔𝟎𝒙 = 𝟎 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐 = 𝟎
𝒙 = 𝟎 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟐 𝑷𝑶𝑰: 𝟎, 𝟎 & − 𝟐, 𝟐𝟖 𝟐 & 𝟐, −𝟐𝟖 𝟐
𝒙𝟐 = ± 𝟐
𝒙=± 𝟐
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the point(s) of inflection for the function.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟓𝒙 + 𝟑
Try for yourself!
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the point(s) of inflection for the function.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐
Try for yourself!
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Determine the point(s) of inflection for the function.
𝒇 𝒙 = 𝟐𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝟔𝒙 + 𝟐𝟖
Try for yourself!
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify
Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Section 2.1: We learned how to find the increasing and decreasing intervals.
Section 2.1: We learned how to find the relative extrema and now in Section 2.2
have learned how the 2nd derivative can help us find the relative extrema.
Section 2.2: We learned how to find the concave up and concave down intervals
and the point(s) of inflection.
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum
Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the increasing and decreasing intervals, concave up or concave down,
relative extrema, point(s) of inflection, and sketch the graph.
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum
Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the increasing and decreasing intervals, concave up or concave down,
relative extrema, point(s) of inflection, and sketch the graph.
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙
Test The Interval
Find Critical Values
𝒚′ = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟕
𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟕 = 𝟎
−∞ −𝟑 𝟎 𝟑 ∞
𝟑𝒙𝟐 = 𝟐𝟕
THEOREM
𝒙𝟐 = 𝟗 If 𝒇′ 𝒙 > 𝟎, then for all x in an open interval I, then f is increasing over I.
𝒙𝟐 = ± 𝟗 If 𝒇′ 𝒙 < 𝟎, then for all x in an open interval I, then f is decreasing over I.
𝒙 = ±𝟑
𝟐
𝒇′ −𝟒 = 𝟑 −𝟒 − 𝟐𝟕 = 𝟐𝟏 > 𝟎 𝑰𝒏𝒄: −∞, −𝟑
𝒇′ 𝟎 = 𝟑 𝟎 𝟐 − 𝟐𝟕 = −𝟐𝟕< 𝟎 𝑫𝒆𝒄: −𝟑, 𝟑
𝒇′ 𝟒 = 𝟑 𝟒 𝟐 − 𝟐𝟕 = 𝟐𝟏 > 𝟎 𝑰𝒏𝒄: 𝟑, ∞
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum
Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the increasing and decreasing intervals, concave up or concave down,
relative extrema, point(s) of inflection, and sketch the graph.
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙
Test The Interval
Find 2nd Derivative
𝒚′ = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟕
𝒚′′ = 𝟔𝒙 −∞ 𝟎 ∞
𝟔𝒙 = 𝟎 THEOREM
𝒙=𝟎 Let f be a function whose second derivative exists on an open interval I.
1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 > 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
upward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is increasing, so f is turning up on I.)
2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 < 𝟎 for all x in the interval I, then the graph of f is concave
downward on the interval I. (𝒇′ is decreasing, so f is turning down on I.)
𝒇′′ −𝟏 = 𝟔 −𝟏 = −𝟔 < 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏: −∞, 𝟎
𝒇′′ 𝟏 = 𝟔 𝟏 = 𝟔 > 𝟎 𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑼𝒑: 𝟎, ∞
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum
Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the increasing and decreasing intervals, concave up or concave down,
relative extrema, point(s) of inflection, and sketch the graph.
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙
THEOREM
Find Critical Values
Let f be a function such that f’(c) = 0 and the second
𝒚′ = 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟕 derivative of f exists on an open interval containing c.
𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝟕 = 𝟎 1. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 > 𝟎, then f has a relative minimum at (c, f(c)).
𝟑𝒙𝟐 = 𝟐𝟕 2. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 < 𝟎, then f has a relative maximum at (c, f(c)).
𝟐
𝒙 =𝟗 3. If 𝒇′′ 𝒄 = 𝟎, then the test fails. That is f may have a
relative maximum, a relative minimum, or neither.
𝒙𝟐 = ± 𝟗
𝟑
𝒙 = ±𝟑 𝒄 = −𝟑; 𝒇 −𝟑 = −𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕 −𝟑 = 𝟓𝟒 ; −𝟑, 𝟓𝟒 Rel. Max
𝟑
𝒄 = 𝟑; 𝒇 𝟑 = 𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕 𝟑 = −𝟓𝟒 ; 𝟑, −𝟓𝟒 Rel. Min
Find the 2nd Derivative
𝒇′′ −𝟑 = 𝟔 −𝟑 = −𝟏𝟖 < 𝟎 Rel. Max
𝐲′′ = 𝟔𝒙
𝒇′′ 𝟑 = 𝟔 𝟑 = 𝟏𝟖 > 𝟎 Rel. Min
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum
Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the increasing and decreasing intervals, concave up or concave down,
relative extrema, point(s) of inflection, and sketch the graph.
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙
Find Inflection Point(s)
𝒚′′ = 𝟔𝒙
𝟔𝒙 = 𝟎
𝒙=𝟎
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙
𝒚= 𝟎 𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕 𝟎
𝒚=𝟎
𝑷. 𝑶. 𝑰. = 𝟎, 𝟎
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the increasing and decreasing intervals, concave up or concave down,
relative extrema, point(s) of inflection, and sketch the graph.
Rel. Max
𝒚= 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟐𝟕𝒙 (-3,54)
−𝟑, 𝟓𝟒 Rel. Max
𝟑, −𝟓𝟒 Rel. Min
𝑷. 𝑶. 𝑰. = 𝟎, 𝟎
P.O.I.
𝑰𝒏𝒄: −∞, −𝟑 (0,0)
𝑫𝒆𝒄: −𝟑, 𝟑
𝑰𝒏𝒄: 𝟑, ∞
𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑫𝒐𝒘𝒏: −∞, 𝟎
𝑪𝒐𝒏. 𝑼𝒑: 𝟎, ∞
Rel. Min
(3,-54)
Section 2.2: Using Second Derivative to Classify Maximum and Minimum
Values and Sketch Graphs
Example: Find the increasing and decreasing intervals, concave up or concave down,
relative extrema, point(s) of inflection, and sketch the graph
𝟖 𝟑 𝟏 Try for yourself!
𝒚 = 𝒙 − 𝟐𝒙 +
𝟑 𝟑
