Curve Tracing PDF
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Stevenzel Eala EstellaCurve Tracing PDF
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Stevenzel Eala Estella1
MATH 114 – differential calculus
Handout #9
Curve Tracing
The derivative can also be used to trace the curve or graph of a given equation. If we can find
the relative maximum point, relative minimum point and the point of inflection if any, then the graph can
be drawn easily.
Consider a continuous function y f ( x) whose graph is hypothetically shown below.
In order to graph an equation using derivatives, we have to solve for the critical values which
are actually the values of x where f '( x) 0 or those values where f ( x) are defined but f '( x) does
not exist. In the above figure, points C and D are points where f '( x) 0 because it is possible to
draw horizontal tangents, while points A and B are the points of the curve where the derivative f '( x)
does not exist. Note that it is possible to draw a horizontal tangent on either A or B .
Suppose the critical values are already identified, then the next step is to solve for
corresponding y - components. The critical values together with their corresponding y - components
are called critical points. Each critical point will then be tested whether it will be a relative maximum
point, a relative minimum point or a point of inflection.
The tests using derivatives are as follows:
1. Critical point (a, b) is a relative maximum point if
f '(a) 0 and f ''(a) 0
2. Critical point (a, b) is a relative minimum point if
f '(a) 0 and f ''(a) 0
3. If for critical point (a, b) ,
f '(a) 0 and f ''(a) 0
then the result fails. We will then use another test to determine whether (a, b) is a point of inflection.
To test whether (a, b) is a point of inflection, we choose two values c and d so that c a and
d a . Further note that c and d should not be critical values also, otherwise the test will fail again.
4. Test for point of inflection, (a, b)
a.) f '(c) 0 and f '(d ) 0 or
Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998
Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
2
b.) f '(c) 0 and f '(d ) 0 where as mentioned, c a d .
c.) If f ''(a) 0 and f '(a) 0 .
Now, in tracing the curve, we try to draw a
portion of the curve where there is a relative
maximum point by drawing an inverted bowl. For a
relative minimum point, a portion of the curve will be
drawn like a bowl as shown in the figure. Points
where the curve changes from concave up to
concave down or vice-versa are called points of
inflection.
Example 1. Find the relative maximum point, relative minimum point, point of inflection, if any, and
sketch the graph of the equation
3
y x3 x 2 6 x 4
2
Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998
Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
3
Example 2. Find the relative maximum point, relative minimum point, point of inflection, if any, and
sketch the graph of the equation y x2 6 x 4 .
Example 3. Given y 6 x2 x4 , test for relative maximum point, relative minimum point, point of
inflection, and sketch the graph.
Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998
Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
4
Example 4. Locate the maximum and minimum points and the points of inflection, if any, of the curve
y x4 6 x3 12 x2 8x 1 .
Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998
Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
5
Example 4. Locate the maximum and minimum points and the points of inflection, if any, of the curve
f ( x) 3x5 5x3 .
Panopio, F.M. Simplified Differential Calculus. Feliber Publishing House. 1998
Leithold,Louis. The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte Ltd. 2002
