How do I find the turning points of a curve?

At turning points, the gradient is 0. Differentiating an equation gives the gradient at a certain point with a given value of x. To find turning points, find values of x where the derivative is 0.Example:y=x2-5x+6dy/dx=2x-52x-5=0x=5/2Thus, there is on turning point when x=5/2. To find y, substitute the x value into the original formula. y=(5/2)2-5x(5/2)+6y=99/4Thus, turning point at (5/2,99/4).Additional pointsOnce turning point is identified, you can work out if it is a maximum or minimum by finding d2y/dx2. d2y/dx2<0 - maximumd2y/dx2.>0 - minimumThus for our example aboved2y/dx2=2 - minimum

SG
Answered by Shannon G. Maths tutor

88187 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

The line y=5-x intersects the curve y=x^2-3x+2 at the points P and Q. Find the (x,y) coordinates of P and Q.


How do I do integration by substitution?


Show that sin2A is equal to 2sinAcosA


If I have a ball thrown horizontally with a speed u off a building of height h , how do I calculate its speed when it hits the ground?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning