How do I find a stationary point? And how do I determine whether it is a maximum or minimum point?

In order to find the stationary points of any funcion, you must differentiate. Once you have differentiated, the deriviate of this function must be set equal to 0, in order to determine what the stationary points actually are.

Once you have found the stationary points, in order to determine their nature, you must differentiate the function again. Finding the second derivative will allow you to see whether the stationary point is a maximum or minimum, by substituting in the coordinates of the stationary point. If the value turns out to be positive, then the point is a minimum. However if the value is negative, then the stationary point is a maximum.

Answered by Neelam A. Maths tutor

12310 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is the integral of (cos(x))^2?


Differentiate with respect to x: y=xln(x)


Write tan(3x) in terms of tan(x). Hence show that the roots of t^3 - 3t^2 - 3t + 1 = 0 are tan(pi/12), tan(5pi/12) and tan(3pi/4)


If y = (4x^2)ln(x) then find the second derivative of the function with respect to x when x = e^2 (taken from a C3 past paper)


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences