Second Derivative Test for maximum and minimum value

Draw the graph of each of the following functions using Geogebra. Draw the graph of their first
derivative and the second derivative on the same window.

i) f ( x) x 2 x 12
ii) g ( x) x 2 9 x 18
iii) h( x) x3 31x 30

Use the graph to fill in the relevant boxes in the following table

Function Stationary Point dy The value of Nature of

The value of or f ' x at stationary point
d2y
or f '' x at
dx
the stationary point dx 2

the stationary point

f x

g x

h x

What do you observe from the above?

Second Derivative Test for maxima and Minima

dy d2y
For minimum at a stationary point on a curve at x=a = ________ and __________
dx dx 2

dy d2y
For maximum at a stationary point on a curve at x=b = ________ and __________
dx dx 2
Exercise

Find the coordinates of the stationary points on the curve y 4 x3 3x 2 6 x 1 and determine the
nature of each one.

1 3
Minimum at , 2
Ans : 2 4
Maximum at 1, 4
We decide the nature of the stationary points on the basis of the sign of the second derivative at the
stationary points.

What if the second derivative is zero at a stationary point?