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

Answered by Shannon G. Maths tutor

85089 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

A curve has equation y = 20x -x^(2) - 2x^(3). The curve has a stationary point at the point M where x = −2. Find the x coordinates of the other stationary point.


How can I find the derivative of y = tan(x)?


y=4sin(kx) write down dy/dx.


Show the sum from n=0 to 200 of x^n given that x is not 1, is (1-x^201)/(1-x) hence find the sum of 1+2(1/2)+3(1/2)^2+...+200(1/2)^199


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences