Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Critical Points
Critical points occur where the derivative of a function, ƒ', is either zero or undefined. These points are essential for identifying local maxima and minima, as they represent potential locations where the function's slope changes. To find these points, one typically sets ƒ' equal to zero and solves for the variable.
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First Derivative Test
The First Derivative Test is a method used to determine whether a critical point is a local maximum, local minimum, or neither. By analyzing the sign of the derivative before and after the critical point, one can conclude that if ƒ' changes from positive to negative, a local maximum occurs, while a change from negative to positive indicates a local minimum.
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The First Derivative Test: Finding Local Extrema
Second Derivative Test
The Second Derivative Test provides another way to classify critical points by examining the concavity of the function. If the second derivative, ƒ'', is positive at a critical point, the function is concave up, indicating a local minimum. Conversely, if ƒ'' is negative, the function is concave down, suggesting a local maximum.
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