Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Derivative
A derivative represents the rate of change of a function with respect to a variable. It is a fundamental concept in calculus that provides information about the slope of the tangent line to the curve of the function at any given point. The first derivative indicates how the function is changing, while the second derivative provides insight into the curvature or concavity of the function.
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Power Rule
The Power Rule is a basic differentiation technique used to find the derivative of functions in the form of ax^n, where a is a constant and n is a real number. According to this rule, the derivative is calculated by multiplying the coefficient by the exponent and then reducing the exponent by one. This rule simplifies the process of finding derivatives for polynomial functions, making it essential for solving problems involving such expressions.
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Concavity and Inflection Points
Concavity refers to the direction in which a function curves, determined by the sign of the second derivative. If the second derivative is positive, the function is concave up, and if it is negative, the function is concave down. Inflection points occur where the concavity changes, which can be identified by setting the second derivative equal to zero. Understanding concavity is crucial for analyzing the behavior of functions and their graphs.
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Determining Concavity Given a Function