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Maxima and minima

Critical points and the second-derivative test.

A smooth function peaks or bottoms out only where its derivative is zero. Find those critical points, then use the second derivative to tell a maximum (f″ < 0) from a minimum (f″ > 0). This is the whole of optimisation in one variable.

Eżempju maħdum: critical points of x^3 - 3x

Calculus · Extrema

Critical points of x^3 - 3x

x^{3} - 3 x

Pass b'pass

  1. f(x) = x^{3} - 3 x

    Critical points are where f′(x) = 0 or is undefined.

  2. f'(x) = 3 x^{2} - 3

    Differentiate.

  3. x = -1, x = 1

    Solve f′(x) = 0.

  4. f''(x) = 6 x

    Second-derivative test: f″ < 0 → maximum, f″ > 0 → minimum.

  5. f''(-1) = -6 \Rightarrow (-1, 2) \text{ is a local maximum}

  6. f''(1) = 6 \Rightarrow (1, -2) \text{ is a local minimum}

Jiżvelaw it-tweġiba
(-1, 2)\ \text{local maximum},\; (1, -2)\ \text{local minimum}

Symbols used here

\neg,\ \wedge,\ \vee,\ \Rightarrow,\ \Leftrightarrow
not, and, or, implies, iff
Logical connectives.
\pi
pi
Ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, 3.14159…
e
Euler's number
2.71828…, the base whose exponential is its own derivative.
\infty
infinity
Not a number: "grows without bound" in limits and intervals.
\sin,\ \cos,\ \tan
sine, cosine, tangent
Ratios of sides in a right triangle; coordinates on the unit circle.
\log_b x,\ \ln x
logarithm, natural log
The exponent b must be raised to for x; ln uses base e.
\sum_{k=1}^{n} a_k
summation
Add a_k for k = 1 up to n.
\lim_{x \to a} f(x)
limit
The value f(x) approaches as x approaches a.
f'(x),\ \frac{dy}{dx}
derivative
Instantaneous rate of change; slope of the graph.
\int f(x)\,dx,\ \int_a^b
integral
Antiderivative (indefinite) or signed area from a to b (definite).
y',\ y''
first and second derivative of y
Prime notation for derivatives with respect to x (or t).
C,\ C_1,\ C_2
arbitrary constants
Constants of integration fixed by initial conditions.

How to: Maxima and minima

  1. Critical points are where f′(x) = 0 or is undefined.
  2. Differentiate.
  3. Solve f′(x) = 0.
  4. Second-derivative test: f″ < 0 → maximum, f″ > 0 → minimum.

Questions people ask

What is a derivative in one sentence?

The slope of the graph at a point — the rate at which the output is changing there. Speed is the derivative of position.

What is an integral in one sentence?

The accumulated total of a rate — the area under the curve. Distance travelled is the integral of speed.

Why are derivatives and integrals opposites?

That is the fundamental theorem of calculus: accumulating a rate and then measuring how fast the accumulation grows gets you back the rate. Integration undoes differentiation up to a constant.

When do I use substitution and when integration by parts?

Substitution when part of the integrand is the derivative of another part (u and du both present). Parts when the integrand is a product of two unrelated kinds of function — a polynomial times an exponential, log or trig function.

Ipprova tiegħek stess

Aktar fil Calculus

LimitsDerivativesIntegralsDefinite integralsTaylor seriesSeries and sumsThe chain ruleImplicit differentiationRelated rates and optimisationIntegration techniques: substitution, parts, partial fractionsApplications of integration: area, volume, arc lengthInfinite series and convergence tests