1. Notice that no matter a point is an extreme point or point of inflexion, the basic 4.

Mathematically:
condition is that the graph must be continuous at that point (but possibly that it is (i) f ' ( x) > 0 when x is slightly less than x 0 , and
not differentiable or twice differentiable at that point.) f ' ( x) < 0 when x is slightly greater than x 0 ,
then x 0 is max.
2. (ii) f ' ( x) < 0 when x is slightly less than x 0 , and
Mathematically Graphically Description f ' ( x) > 0 when x is slightly greater than x 0 ,
f ' ( x) > 0 Increasing
then x 0 is min.
or
(iii) f " ( x) > 0 when x is slightly less than x 0 , and

f ' ( x) < 0 Decreasing f " ( x) < 0 when x is slightly greater than x 0 ,

or then x 0 is point of inflexion.
[Similarly,
f " ( x) > 0 Happy shape
f " ( x) < 0 when x is slightly less than x 0 , and
f " ( x) > 0 when x is slightly greater than x 0 ,
then x 0 is point of inflexion.]
f " ( x) < 0 Sad shape

5. It is remarkable that x 0 can behave both extreme point and point of inflexion.
Check the example:
Cross over x 0
3. Suppose that a graph is continuous at x = x 0 , When x crosses over x 0 from left to right
(i) if the graph changes from increasing to decreasing when it crosses over x 0 , (a) graph changes from increasing to decreasing
then x 0 is the max point. ⇒ x 0 is the max point
(ii) if the graph changes from decreasing to increasing when it crosses over x 0 , (b) graph changes shape from happy to sad
then x 0 is the min point. ⇒ x 0 is the point of inflexion
x0
(iii) if the graph changes shape from happy to sad (or from sad to happy) when As you can see even x 0 enjoys both properties,
it crosses over x 0 , then x 0 is the point of inflexion. we will check them independently.

Hope this explanation helps you to understand the problem you are facing.
[95-II-9] (iv) f " ( x) > 0 for x < −1 or −1 < x < 0 or x > 2 . 1A
x 1
(a) (i) For x > 0 , f ( x) = , (c) (1, ) is a relative maximum point 1A
( x + 1) 2 4
x −1 2x − 4 (0, 0) is a relative minimum point 1A
f ' ( x) = − 3
and f " ( x) = 4
1A
( x + 1) ( x + 1) 2
(2, ) is a point of inflexion 1A
−x 9
(ii) For x < 0 and x ≠ −1 , f ( x) = ,
( x + 1) 2 (d) The vertical asymptote is x = −1 . 1A
x −1 2x − 4 Let the oblique asymptote be y = mx + c
f ' ( x) = 3
and f " ( x) = − 4
1A
( x + 1) ( x + 1) f ( x) |x|
m = lim = lim =0
x →∞ x x → ∞ x( x + 1) 3
 1
 2
for x > 0
f ( x) − f (0)  ( x + 1) c = lim [ f ( x) − mx] = 0
(iii) = 1A x →∞
x−0  −1 for x < 0 and x ≠ −1
 ( x + 1) 2
∴ The horizontal asymptote is y = 0. 1A

→ 1 as x → 0 +

→ −1 as x → 0 −
y

f ( x ) − f (0 ) f ( x ) − f (0 )
As lim− ≠ lim+
x→0 x−0 x →0 x−0
f ' (0) does not exist. 1
(b) (i) For x > 0 , f ' ( x) < 0 gives x > 1 1
(1, )
For x < 0 , f ' ( x) < 0 gives −1 < x < 0 4
2
i.e. f ' ( x) < 0 for −1 < x < 0 or x > 1 . 1A (2, )
9 1A + 1A
(ii) f ' ( x) > 0 for x < −1 or 0 < x < 1 1A x
–1 0
(iii) For x > 0 , f " ( x) < 0 gives 0 < x < 2
For x < 0 , f " ( x) < 0 gives no solution.
i.e. f " ( x) < 0 for 0 < x < 2 . 1A