How do you find stationary points of an equation, eg. y=x^2+3x+2

Stationary points of an equation are found where the gradient of the tangent at this point equals zero. A diagram can illustrate this. To find them differentiate the given equation (which gives the gradient) and set this to zero. eg. dy/dx = 2x+32x+3=0x=-3/2Plug this back into the equation of the line to find the y valuey=(-3/2)^2 + 3(-3/2) +2y= -1/4Stationary point is (-3/2, -1/4)To find the nature of this stationary point, find the second derivative, plug in your x value. If the value of the second derivative if positive, the point is a minimum, negative means a maximum.

EC
Answered by Ellie C. Maths tutor

3034 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How can you integrate the function (5x - 1)/(x^(3)-x)?


Calculate the derivative of the following function: f(x)=cos(3x))^2


Find the equation of the line tangential to the function f(x) = x^2+ 1/ (x+3) + 1/(x^4) at x =2


Solve for 0<=θ<π, the equation sin3θ-(sqrt3)cosθ=0 (C2)


We're here to help

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

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences