The Derivative of a

Function (Part 2a)

Catherine I. Merca Sept 2020
Department of Mathematics and Statistics
College of Science and Mathematics

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics
 Maximum and Minimum Values of a Function

Let 𝑓 be defined on an interval 𝐼 containing 𝑥0 .

𝑓(𝑥0 ) is the minimum of 𝒇 on 𝑰 when 𝑓(𝑥0 ) ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in 𝐼.
𝑓(𝑥0 ) is the maximum of 𝒇 on 𝑰 when 𝑓 𝑥0 ≥ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in 𝐼.

A function 𝑓 is said to have a relative maximum value 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 ) if there is an open interval containing 𝑥0 on
which 𝑓(𝑥0 ) is a maximum. We can also say that 𝒇 has a relative maximum at (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇 𝒙𝟎 ).

A function 𝑓 is said to have a relative minimum value 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 ) if there is an open interval containing 𝑥0 on
which 𝑓(𝑥0 ) is a minimum. We can also say that 𝒇 has a relative minimum at (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇 𝒙𝟎 ).

If a function 𝑓 has either a relative maximum or a relative minimum value 𝒇(𝒙𝟎 ), then 𝑓 is said to have a
relative extremum at (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇 𝒙𝟎 ).

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Critical Number and Critical Point of a Function

Let 𝑓 be defined at 𝑥0 .
If 𝑓 ′ 𝑥0 = 0 or 𝑓 ′ 𝑥0 does not exist, then 𝑥0 is a critical number or a
critical value of 𝑓.

A critical point is a point (𝒙𝟎 , 𝒇 𝒙𝟎 ) on the function 𝑓corresponding to the

critical number 𝑥0 .

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Increasing and Decreasing Functions

A function 𝑓 defined on an interval is said to be increasing on that

interval if for any two numbers 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 in the interval, 𝑥1 < 𝑥2
implies 𝑓(𝑥1 ) < 𝑓(𝑥2 ).

A function 𝑓 defined on an interval is said to be decreasing on that

interval if for any two numbers 𝑥1 and 𝑥2 in the interval, 𝑥1 < 𝑥2
implies 𝑓 𝑥1 > 𝑓(𝑥2 ).

If a function is either increasing or decreasing, then it is said to be

monotonic on the interval
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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Theorem 1. Test for Increasing and Decreasing Functions
Let 𝑓 be a function that is continuous on the closed interval [𝑎, 𝑏] and
differentiable on the open interval (𝑎, 𝑏).

1. If 𝒇’(𝒙) > 𝟎 for all 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏), then 𝑓 is increasing on [𝑎, 𝑏].

2. If 𝒇’ 𝒙 < 𝟎 for all 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏), then 𝑓 is decreasing on [𝑎, 𝑏].

3. If 𝒇’ 𝒙 = 𝟎 for all 𝑥 in (𝑎, 𝑏), then 𝑓 is constant on [𝑎, 𝑏].

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Theorem 2. First Derivative Test for Relative Extrema
Let 𝑥0 be a critical number of a function 𝑓 that is continuous on an open
interval 𝐼 containing 𝑥0 . If 𝑓 is differentiable on the interval, except possibly at
𝑥0 , then 𝑓(𝑥0 ) can be classified as follows.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 8
The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 1 3
Example 1. Given the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 𝑥 ,
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discuss its relative maximum and minimum points and
the intervals where it is increasing and decreasing.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
Step 1. Find the critical values of f, that is, find those values of x for which f’(x)=0 or f’(x) does not exist.
Given the function:
1 3
𝑓 𝑥 =𝑥− 𝑥
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Derivative: 𝑓′ 𝑥 = 1 − 𝑥 2

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) = 0: 𝑓′ 𝑥 = 1 − 𝑥 2 = 0

1 − 𝑥2 = 0
1−𝑥 1+𝑥 =0
1 − 𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 1 + 𝑥 = 0
𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −1
Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) does not exist: Note that 𝑓’(𝑥) is a polynomial. So, no values of 𝑥 for
which 𝑓’(𝑥) does not exist.
Critical Values of 𝑓: 𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −1
Function values of the critical numbers 1 3
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𝑓 1 =1− 1 =
3 3
1 3
2
𝑓 −1 = −1 − −1 = −
3 3
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 Step 2. Construct a sign chart for f’(x) which summarizes the testing of the interval determined by the
critical values of f.
Interval (−∞, −1) (−1,1) (1, +∞)

Test Value 𝑥 = −2 𝑥=0 𝑥=2

Sign of 𝑓’(𝑥) 𝑓 ′ −2 = −3 < 0 𝑓′ 0 = 1 > 0 𝑓 ′ 2 = −3 < 0

Conclusion:
𝑓 is decreasing increasing decreasing

Step 3. Applying Theorem 2 and Theorem 3 , we see that

𝑓 is decreasing on the intervals (−∞, −1) and (1, +∞)

𝑓 is increasing on the intervals −1,1

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𝑓 has a relative minimum at (−1, 𝑓(−1)) = −1, − 3

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𝑓 has a relative maximum at (1, 𝑓(1)) = 1, 3
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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Concavity

The graph of a function 𝑓 is said to be concave upward on a given interval 𝐼,

if at each point of 𝐼 the graph of 𝑓 always remain above the line tangent to the
curve at this point.

The graph of a function 𝑓 is said to be concave downward on a given

interval 𝐼, if at each point of 𝐼 the graph of 𝑓 always remain below the line
tangent to the curve at this point.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Theorem 3. Second Derivative Test for Concavity

Let 𝑓 be a function such that 𝑓′′(𝑥) exists for every x in some open interval I.
If 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 > 0 for all 𝑥 on 𝐼, then the graph of 𝑓 is concave upward on 𝐼.
If 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 < 0 for all 𝑥 on 𝐼, then the graph of 𝑓 is concave downward on 𝐼.

Point of Inflection

A point 𝑥0 , 𝑓 𝑥0 is a point of inflection of the graph of the function 𝑓 if the

graph has a tangent line there, and if there exists an open interval 𝐼 containing
𝑥0 such that if 𝑥 is in 𝐼, then either
𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 < 0 if 𝑥 < 𝑥0 , and if 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 > 0 if 𝑥 > 𝑥0 , or
𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 > 0 if 𝑥 < 𝑥0 , and if 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 < 0 if 𝑥 > 𝑥0 .

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Theorem 4.
If 𝑥0 , 𝑓 𝑥0 is a point of inflection of the graph of 𝑓, then either 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥0
= 0 or 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥0 does not exist.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 1 3
Example 3. Given the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 𝑥 , discuss the
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intervals of concavity and the points of inflection. Construct a
sketch of the graph of the function.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
Step 1. Find the critical values of 𝑓, that is, find those values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) = 0 or 𝑓’(𝑥)
does not exist.
Given the function: 1 3
𝑓 𝑥 =𝑥− 𝑥
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First Derivative: 𝑓′ 𝑥 = 1 − 𝑥 2

Second Derivative: 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = −2𝑥

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = −2𝑥 = 0

𝑓"(𝑥) = 0: −2𝑥 = 0
𝑥=0
Values of 𝑥 for which Note that 𝑓"(𝑥) is a polynomial. So, no values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓"(𝑥)
𝑓"(𝑥) does not exist: does not exist.

Critical Values of 𝑓′: 𝑥=0

Function value of the 1 3
critical number of 𝑓′: 𝑓 0 =0− 0 =0
3
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 Step 2. Construct a sign chart for 𝑓"(𝑥) which summarizes the testing of the
interval determined by the critical values of 𝑓".
Interval (−∞, 0) (0, +∞)
Test Value 𝑥 = −1 𝑥=1
Sign of 𝑓"(𝑥) 𝑓" −1 = −2 −1 > 0 𝑓" −1 = −2 1 < 0
Conclusion:
𝑓 is Concave upward Concave downward

Step 3. Applying Theorem 4 and Theorem 5, we see that

1. 𝑓 is concave upward on the interval (−∞, 0)

2. 𝑓 is concave downward on the interval (0, +∞)

3. 𝑓 has an inflection point at (0, 𝑓(0)) = 0,0

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Now, let us sketch the graph of the given function. Recall that from Example 2,
we have
𝑓 is decreasing on the intervals (−∞, −1) and (1, +∞)

𝑓 is increasing on the intervals −1,1

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𝑓 has a relative minimum at −1, 𝑓 −1 = −1, −
3

2
𝑓 has a relative maximum at (1, 𝑓(1)) = 1,
3

The graph of the function is shown below.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Example 4. Given the function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 27, discuss its relative maximum and
minimum points, the intervals where it is increasing and decreasing, the intervals of concavity
and the points of inflection. Construct a sketch of the graph of the function.
Given the function: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 27
Derivative: 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 24𝑥 2 + 36𝑥
Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) = 0: 𝑓′ 𝑥 = 4𝑥 3 − 24𝑥 2 + 36𝑥 = 0
4𝑥 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 2 + 9 = 0
4𝑥 𝑥 − 3 2 = 0
4𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 − 3 = 0
𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 3

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) does Note that 𝑓’(𝑥) is a polynomial. So, no values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓’(𝑥) does
not exist: not exist.

Critical Values of 𝑓: 𝑥 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 3

Function values of the critical 𝑓 0 = (0)4 −8 0 3 + 18 0 2 − 27 = −27

numbers of 𝑓: 𝑓 3 = (3)4 −8 3 3 + 18 3 2 − 27 = 0

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Monotonicity
Interval (−∞, 0) (0,3) (3, +∞)
Test Value 𝑥 = −1 𝑥=1 𝑥=4
Sign of 𝑓’(𝑥) 𝑓 ′ −1 = −64 < 0 𝑓 ′ 1 = 16 > 0 𝑓 ′ 4 = 16 > 0
Conclusion:
𝑓 is decreasing increasing increasing

Thus,

f is decreasing on the interval (-∞,0)

f is increasing on the intervals (0,3) and (3,+∞)

f has a relative minimum at (0, f(0))= (0,-27 )

f does not have a relative maximum.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 CONCAVITY
Given the function: 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 4 − 8𝑥 3 + 18𝑥 2 − 27

First Derivative: 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 24𝑥 2 + 36𝑥

Second Derivative: 𝑓"(𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 − 48𝑥 + 36

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓"(𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 − 48𝑥 + 36 = 0

𝑓"(𝑥) = 0: 12(𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3) = 0
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
𝑥−3 𝑥−1 =0
𝑥 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1

Values of 𝑥 for which 𝑓"(𝑥) Note that 𝑓"(𝑥) is a polynomial. So, no values of 𝑥 for which
does not exist: 𝑓"(𝑥) does not exist.

Critical Values of 𝑓′: 𝑥 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1

Function value of the 𝑓 1 = (1)4 −8 1 3 + 18 1 2 − 27 = −16
critical number of 𝑓′: 𝑓 3 = (3)4 −8 3 3 + 18 3 2 − 27 = 0
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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Interval (−∞, 1) (1,3) (3, +∞)
Test Value 𝑥=0 𝑥=2 𝑥=4
Sign of 𝑓"(𝑥) 𝑓" 0 = 36 > 0 𝑓" 2 = −12 < 0 𝑓" 4 = 36 > 0

Conclusion:
𝑓 is Concave upward Concave downward Concave upward

Thus,

f is concave upward on the intervals (-∞,1) and (3,+∞)

f is concave downward on the interval (1,3)

f has an inflection point at (1, f(1))=1, -16 and (3, f(3))=3, 0

The graph of the function is shown below.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Theorem 5. Second Derivative Test for Relative Extrema

Suppose that 𝑓′′(𝑥) exists on I and suppose that 𝑥0 ∈ 𝐼 is a critical

value of f.

If 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 > 0, then 𝑥0 corresponds to a relative minimum value of 𝑓.

If 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 < 0, then 𝑥0 corresponds to a relative maximum value of 𝑓.

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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
 Example 3. Using the same function in Example 1, let us find its relative
extrema using Theorem 3. Now,

1 3
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 𝑥 ⟹ 𝑓′ 𝑥 = 1 − 𝑥 2
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⟹ 𝑓′′ 𝑥 = −2𝑥

Note that the critical values of 𝑥 = 1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −1 as shown in Example 1.

Now,
𝑓 ′′ 1 = −2 1 = −2 < 0
𝑓 ′′ −1 = −2 −1 = 2 > 0

Thus by the second derivative test for relative extrema,

𝑥 = 1 corresponds to a relative maximum value of 𝑓
𝑥 = −1 corresponds to a relative minimum value of 𝑓.
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The Derivative of a Function (Part 2)
References
1. Basic Calculus (Basic Guide for Senior High School)
Commission on Higher Education
in Collaboration with the Philippine Normal University
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9Eg9DdzmSYCc3FLX2xwZTAzOW8/view?fbclid=IwAR1eEFtgHv-LD4iGebi_3cs1iDlKbkAIOZRsz2-
N2xpwxscG3BKr7jMki7M

2. The Calculus with Analytic Geometry 6th edition

by Louis Leithold

Lecture Notes on
3. Calculus with Analytic Geometry I ( Integration and some Applications)
by Julius V. Benitez, Ph.D.
4. The Derivative of a Function
by Catherine I. Merca, MSc
5. The Derivative of Algebraic and Transcendental Functions
Veronica F. Torres, MSc

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics
References
6. Barnett R., Ziegler M., Byleen K. (2011).
Calculus for Business, Economics, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences (12 ed). Prentice Hall.

7. Canoy S., Benitez J., Buenavista R., Tubo B. (2014).

A First Course in Analytic Geometry and Calculus. CSM-DMS, MSU-IIT

8. Larson R., Edwards, B. (2013).

Calculus of a Single Variable. Cengage Learning.

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Some Helpful Links
https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/CriticalPoints.aspx

https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/MinMaxValues.aspx

https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/AbsExtrema.aspx

https://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/ShapeofGraphPtI.aspx

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Assignment 1
Due: Sept 28, 2020 , 12 midnight

1.Given:

Find: a. critical points

b. relative extrema
c. intervals where the graph is increasing or decreasing
d. points of inflection
e. concavity
Sketch the graph.

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics
Assignment 2
Due: Sept 28, 2020 , 12 midnight

2. Given:
a. Find the critical values and critical points.
b. Discuss the following:
Intervals where it is decreasing
Intervals where it is increasing
Relative minimum value
Relative maximum value
Intervals where it is concave downward
Intervals where it is concave upward
Points of inflection
c. Sketch the graph

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Department of Mathematics and Statistics