I’m confused by the difference between using f’(x) and f”(x) to find the minima and maxima of a curve

Imagine you have an object moving through time, like a car on the road. The distance that car travels=xThe speed of that object=f’(x)This is because speed is defined as the the rate of change of distance (speed=distance/time), so this is used to find the gradient of a graph, as the gradient is the measure of the change in value of a quantity. Therefore, for a curve the maxima or minima have a gradient that is equal to zero (since the graph is neither going up or down). This can help you find the points on a graph at which a maxima or minima can occur.Now, in this case f”(x) is the rate of change in speed of the car- which is also known as the acceleration. By differentiating f’(x) again to get f”(x), you can tell if the point is a minima or maxima:if it is greater than 0, then it’s a minima.if it is less than 0, then it’s a maxima.

Answered by Xorsheed Z. Maths tutor

1972 Views

See similar Maths 11 Plus tutors

Related Maths 11 Plus answers

All answers ▸

Which places do these point to? Write the answer in English


Katie, Jackie and Charlie bake cookies. Katie has baked 8 more cookies than Charlie. Jackie has baked 5 more cookies than Katie. Altogether they have baked 72 cookies. How many cookies did Jackie bake?


Margret wants to share £36 in a ratio of 3:4 between her two grandchildren, Anna and Katie. How much money will Katie get?


Simplify the Equation, 60x+20y-4x-10y


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