CURVE TRACING

SUMMARY FOR BEHAVIOR OF FUNCTIONS

To see the behavior of functions, we need to trace its graph. To trace the graph of a
function, we need theorems that would describe its behavior.
Given 𝑓(𝑥), to see its behavior, we must:
1. Differentiate 𝑓(𝑥) to the first order, 𝑓′(𝑥). Conducting the First Derivative Test (FDT)
will give the necessary critical numbers which are necessary to determine the relative
extrema of the function.
2. Differentiate 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) to its next order, 𝑓′′(𝑥). Conducting the Second Derivative Test
(SDT) will give the necessary point/s of inflection which are necessary to determine
where the function would change its concavity.
3. Set different intervals from negative infinity to positive infinity with the critical number/s
and point/s of inflection in between. Prepare a table for it as seen in the example for
SDT.
4. Values on the 𝑓′ column of the table may be positive or negative (or zero if it’s a critical
number) depending on the interval given. Substitute any value from the interval to 𝑓′(𝑥)
to give the necessary sign. This would determine if the function is increasing or
decreasing on that interval (Increasing and Decreasing Functions).
5. Values on the 𝑓 ′ ′ column of the table may be positive or negative (or zero if it’s a point
of inflection) depending on the interval given. Substitute any value from the interval to
𝑓′′(𝑥) to give the necessary sign. This would determine the function’s concavity on that
interval (Concavity of a Function).
Pattern: if pagkatapos mong magsubstitute sa interval on the first row it would reveal a
positive value, positive na yan siya on the succeeding rows until mag-approach siya sa POI.
After that, ang succeeding rows ng POI would give you negative values until such time na
mag-approach na naman siya ulit sa POI. This case is also possible in vice versa. Similar
pattern can be noticed sa 𝑓′(𝑥) column (with POI’s as CN’s)
6. You can now determine the curve of the function.

7. Substitute critical value/s and point/s of inflection to 𝑓(𝑥) to know the exact value.
8. Draw a smooth curve with guides at the table you just made. Happy graphing!
EXAMPLE: CURVE TRACING
9
1. (𝑥) = 2𝑥 5 − 3𝑥 4 POI: 𝑥 = 10
SOLUTION: Setting up table for 𝑓(𝑥):
𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 5 − 3𝑥 4
𝐼 𝑓 𝑓′ 𝑓′′ Curve
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) 4
= 10𝑥 − 12𝑥 3 (−∞, 0) + −
𝑥=0 0 0 0 rel. max
′′ (𝑥) 3 2 9
𝑓 = 40𝑥 − 36𝑥
(0, ) − −
′ (𝑥)
10
Equating 𝑓 to zero: 9
𝑥= −0.79 − 0 POI
3 10
0 = 2𝑥 (5𝑥 − 6) 9 6
( , ) − +
6 10 5
CN: 𝑥= 0, 5 6
𝑥= −1.24 0 + rel. min
5
Equating 𝑓′′(𝑥) to zero: 6
( , +∞ ) + +
5
0 = 4𝑥 2 (10𝑥 − 9)
9
POI: 𝑥 = 0, 10 Graphing:

By FDT:
At 𝑥 = 0;
𝑥 < 0, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = +
𝑥 > 0, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −
6
At 𝑥 = ;
5
6
𝑥 < 5, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −
6
𝑥 > , 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = +
5

By SDT:
At 𝑥 = 0;
𝑥 < 0, 𝑓′′(𝑥) = −
𝑥 > 0, 𝑓 ′ ′(𝑥) = −
Hence, 𝑥 = 0 is not a POI.
9
At 𝑥 = 10;
9
𝑥 < 10, 𝑓′′(𝑥) = −
9 ′(𝑥)
𝑥 > 10, 𝑓 ′ =+
2. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 4 − 6𝑥 2 Generating table for 𝑓(𝑥):

SOLUTION: 𝐼 𝑓 𝑓′ 𝑓′′ Curve

(−∞, −√3) − +
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 12𝑥
𝑥 = −√3 −9 0 + rel. min

𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 − 12 (−√3, −1) + +

𝑥 = −1 −6 + 0 POI
Equating 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) to zero: (−1, 0) + −
𝑥=0 0 0 − rel. max
0 = 4𝑥 (𝑥 2 − 3)
(0, 1) − −
CN: 𝑥 = 0, ±√3 𝑥=1 −6 − 0 POI
(1, √3 ) − +
Equating 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) to zero: 𝑥 = √3 −9 0 + rel. min
(√3, +∞ ) + +
0 = 12(𝑥 2 − 1)
POI: 𝑥 = ±1
Graphing:
By FDT:

At 𝑥 = −√3;

𝑥 < −√3, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −

𝑥 > −√3, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = +

At 𝑥 = 0;
𝑥 < 0, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = +
𝑥 > 0, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −

At 𝑥 = √3;

𝑥 < √3, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −

𝑥 > √3, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = +

By SDT:
At 𝑥 = −1;
𝑥 < −1, 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = +
𝑥 > −1, 𝑓 ′ ′(𝑥) = −
At 𝑥 = 1;
𝑥 < 1, 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = −
′(𝑥)
𝑥 > 1, 𝑓 ′ =+
 1 Generating table of 𝑓(𝑥),
3. 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 +3

SOLUTION: 𝐼 𝑓 𝑓′ 𝑓′′ Curve

(−∞, −1) + +
−2𝑥 1
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = (𝑥2 +3)2 𝑥 = −1 + 0 POI
4
6𝑥 2 −6
(−1, 0) + −
𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = (𝑥 2 +3)3 1
𝑥=0 0 − rel. max
3
′ (𝑥)
Equating 𝑓 to zero: (0, 1) − −
1
−2𝑥 𝑥=1 − 0 POI
0 = (𝑥 2 +3)2 4
(1, +∞ ) − +
CN: 𝑥=0
Equating 𝑓′′(𝑥) to zero: Graphing:
6𝑥 2 −6
0 = (𝑥 2 +3)3

POI: 𝑥 = ±1
By FDT:
At 𝑥 = 0;
𝑥 < 0, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = +
𝑥 > 0, 𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = −
By SDT:
At 𝑥 = −1;
𝑥 < −1, 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = +
𝑥 > −1, 𝑓 ′ ′(𝑥) = −
At 𝑥 = 1;
𝑥 < 1, 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = +
𝑥 > 1, 𝑓 ′′ (𝑥) = −