For the following graph, find the open intervals for which the function is concave up or concave down. Identify any inflection points.
Table of contents
- 0. Functions4h 53m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation2h 18m
- 4. Derivatives of Exponential & Logarithmic Functions1h 16m
- 5. Applications of Derivatives2h 19m
- 6. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 0m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals48m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 36m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals1h 43m
- 10. Integrals of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions21m
- 11. Techniques of Integration2h 7m
- 12. Trigonometric Functions6h 54m
- Angles29m
- Trigonometric Functions on Right Triangles1h 8m
- Solving Right Triangles23m
- Trigonometric Functions on the Unit Circle1h 19m
- Graphs of Sine & Cosine46m
- Graphs of Other Trigonometric Functions32m
- Trigonometric Identities52m
- Derivatives of Trig Functions42m
- Integrals of Basic Trig Functions28m
- Integrals of Other Trig Functions10m
- 13: Intro to Differential Equations2h 23m
- 14. Sequences & Series2h 8m
- 15. Power Series2h 19m
- 16. Probability & Calculus45m
6. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Concavity
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The graph of f′′(x) is shown below. Use the graph to determine the intervals for which f(x)is concave up or concave down and the location of any inflection points.

A
Concave up: (−1,0), (2,∞); Concave down: (0,2); Inflection points: x=0, x=2
B
Concave up: (−1,0), (2,∞); Concave down: (0,2); Inflection points: x=−1, x=0, x=2
C
Concave up: (−∞,0), (2,∞); Concave down: (0,2); Inflection points: x=0, x=2
D
Concave up: (−∞,−1), (0,∞); Concave down: (−1,0); Inflection points: x=−1, x=0

1
Step 1: Understand the relationship between the second derivative f''(x) and concavity. If f''(x) > 0, the graph of f(x) is concave up. If f''(x) < 0, the graph of f(x) is concave down. Inflection points occur where f''(x) changes sign.
Step 2: Analyze the graph of f''(x). The graph is positive (above the x-axis) in the intervals (-∞, -1) and (0, ∞), indicating concave up behavior for f(x) in these intervals.
Step 3: Observe that the graph of f''(x) is negative (below the x-axis) in the interval (-1, 0), indicating concave down behavior for f(x) in this interval.
Step 4: Identify the points where f''(x) changes sign. These occur at x = -1 and x = 0, which are the inflection points of f(x).
Step 5: Summarize the intervals of concavity and inflection points. Concave up: (-∞, -1) and (0, ∞). Concave down: (-1, 0). Inflection points: x = -1 and x = 0.
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