MAXIMA and MINIMA

The diagram below shows part of a function 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥). The point A is a local
maximum and the point B is a local minimum. At each of these points the tangent to
the curve is parallel to the x – axis so the derivative of the function is zero. Both of
these points are therefore stationary points of the function. The term local is used since
these points are the maximum and minimum in this particular region. There may be
others outside this region
Further observation on the gradients of tangents to the curve are:
To the left of A the gradients are positive +
Between A and B the gradients are negative –
To the right of B the gradients are positive +

The rate of change of a function is measures by its derivative.

When the derivative is positive, the function is increasing.
When the derivative is negative, the function is decreasing.
 About the local Maximum point A, the gradient changes from positive, to zero, to
negative. The gradient is therefore decreasing.

About the local Minimum point B the gradient changes from negative, to zero, to
positive. The gradient is therefore increasing
Example 1: Find the stationary point of the function (x,y) of the function: 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3
and hence determine the nature of point (minimum point or maximum point)
Solution:
First, take the First Derivative of the function and Second Derivative.
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3
First Derivative 𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥 − 2
Second Derivative. 𝑦 ′′ = 2

Then define slope is zero(0)

𝑦 ′ = 𝑚 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 0
𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥 − 2

Second , solve for x 0 = 2𝑥 − 2

𝑦′ = 2𝑥 − 2 2 = 2𝑥
0 = 2𝑥 − 2 𝒙=𝟏
there is only one stationary point
 Third, solve for y using the given function
𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3 𝑎𝑡 𝑥 = 1 →From the original function
𝑦= 1 2 −2 1 +3
𝑦=2
The critical points (x,y) = (1,2)
Base on the definition of rate of change First Derivative 𝑦 ′ = 2𝑥 − 2
𝑑𝑦
= 𝑦′ = 0 Second Derivative. 𝑦 ′′ = 2
𝑑𝑥
𝑑2 𝑦
= 𝑦 ′′ = 2
𝑑𝑥 2

If 𝑦 ′′ > 𝑦 ′ 𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑠 2 > 0

Then (1,2) is minimum point

The graph shows the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 3 (1,2) Minimum point

With the local minimum point at (1,2) clearly visible Critical point
Example 2:
Determine the nature of the stationary points of the function 𝑦 = 16 − 6𝑢 − 𝑢2
Solution:
First Derivative Second Derivative
𝑦 ′ = −6 − 2𝑢 𝑦 ′′ = −2
Then define slope is zero(0) Solve for y: using the given function
𝑦 ′ = 𝑚 = 𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = 0 𝑦 = 16 − 6𝑢 − 𝑢2
0 = −6 − 2𝑢 𝑦 = 16 − 6 −3 − −3 2
6 = −2𝑢
6 𝑦 = 25
=𝑢
−2
The critical point 𝑥, 𝑦 −3,25
−3 = 𝑢 → 𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑢 𝑎𝑠 𝑜𝑢𝑟 𝑥
𝑥 = −3
There is only one stationary point
 Determining the minimum or maximum point The critical point 𝑥, 𝑦 −3,25
Base on the definition of rate of change First Derivative 𝑦 ′ = −6 − 2𝑢
Second Derivative 𝑦 ′′ = −2
𝑦′ = 0

𝑦 ′′ = −2
𝑦 ′′ < 𝑦 ′ 𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑠 − 2 < 0
therefore −𝟑, 𝟐𝟓 𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕
of the function 𝑦 = 16 − 6𝑢 − 𝑢2

The graph shows the function 𝑦 = 16 − 6𝑢 − 𝑢2

with local maximum point at (-3,25) clearly visible
Example 3:
Find the stationary points of the functions 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3 and determine
their nature ( minimum point, maximum point)
Solution:
First Derivative: 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3 Second Derivative
𝑦 ′ = 6𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 12 𝑦 ′′ = 12𝑥 − 18
Solve for x in the first derivative, using the
definition of slope = 0
𝑦′ = 𝑚 = 0
0 = 6𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 12 By factoring
Two factors: 6 and 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2
0 = 6 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2
Solve for x, equate to 0 0= 𝑥−1 0= 𝑥−2
0 = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 by factoring 0=𝑥−1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 = 𝑥 − 2
0= 𝑥−1 𝑥−2 𝑥=1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 2
Here we have two stationaries 𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟐
 Here we have two stationaries 𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝟐
Meaning there two coordinates if 𝑥 = 1, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦?
if 𝑥 = 2 , 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑠 𝑦?
Let’s start
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 1 , 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦? 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 2, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦?
Using the given function Using the given function
𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3
𝑦 = 2 1 3 − 9 1 2 + 12 1 − 3 𝑦 = 2 2 3 − 9 2 2 + 12 2 − 3
𝑦=2 𝑦=1
The critical points are 1,2 The critical points are 2,1
Using the definition of rate of change Using the definition of rate of change
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 1 ; 𝑦 ′′ = 12𝑥 − 18 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 2 ; 𝑦 ′′ = 12𝑥 − 18
𝑦 ′′ = 12 1 − 18 𝑦 ′′ = 12 2 − 18
𝑦 ′′ = −6
𝑦 ′′ = 6
So again if 𝑦 ′ = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 ′′ = −6 So again if 𝑦 ′ = 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 ′′ = 6

Thus 𝑦 ′′ < 𝑦 ′ → −6 < 0 Thus 𝑦 ′′ > 𝑦 ′ → 6 > 0

Therefore 𝟏, 𝟐 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒙𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕 Therefore 𝟐, 𝟏 𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕

The graph shows the function

𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3
with the local maximum point at (1,2) and the local
minimum point at (2,1) clearly visible
POINT OF INFLECTION:
Example1 : Find the points of inflection of the function: 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 1
Solution:
Compute the First and Second derivative The inflection point (x,y) = 𝟏, −𝟑
𝟑 𝟐
𝒚 = 𝒙 − 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟏
Graph of the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 − 1
𝑦 ′ = 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥
𝑦 ′′ = 6𝑥 − 6
On second derivative, solve x, slope = 0
𝑦 ′′ = 𝑚 = 0
0 = 6𝑥 − 6
𝑥=1
Substituting x = 1 to the given function
𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏
𝑦 = 13 − 3 1 2 −1
𝑦 = −3
 Exampe 2: Find the points of inflection of the function: 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟏
Solution:
Compute the First and Second derivative
𝑦 ′ = 6𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 5
𝑦 ′′ = 12𝑥 + 12
Solve x in second derivative using slope = 0 The points of inflection is −𝟏, 𝟏𝟎
𝑦 ′′ = 𝑚 = 0
𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒑𝒉 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏
𝑦 ′′ = 12𝑥 + 12 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟏
0 = 12𝑥 + 12
−12
𝑥= = −1
12
𝑥 = −1
Calculate y – coordinate ,
using the given function
𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙𝟑 + 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟏
𝑦 = 2 −1 3 + 6 −1 2 − 5 −1 + 1
𝑦 = 10
Example 3: Find the points of inflection of the function: 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟔𝒙𝟐
Solution:
Compute the First and Second derivative
𝑦 ′ = 4𝑥 3 − 12𝑥
𝑦 ′′ = 12𝑥 2 − 12
Solve x in second derivative using slope = 0
𝑦 ′′ = 𝑚 = 0
𝑦 ′′ = 12𝑥 2 − 12
0 = 12𝑥 2 − 12
0 = 12 𝑥 2 − 1 → 𝑏𝑦 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
Solve x, equate into 0 = 𝑥 2 − 1
0 = 𝑥2 − 1 0 = 𝑥 + 1 (𝑥 − 1)
𝑥 = ±1
0 = 𝑥 + 1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 = 𝑥 − 1
𝑥 = −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 1
Since we have two values of x, meaning there are two inflection points.
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 1, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦? 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = −1 , 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦?
Let’s start
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 1, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦? 𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = −1 , 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦?

Using the given function Using the given function

𝒚 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟔𝒙𝟐 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟔𝒙𝟐
𝑦 = 1 4−6 1 2 𝑦 = −1 4 − 6 −1 2
𝑦 = −5 𝑦 = −5
Point of inflection 𝟏, −𝟓 Point of inflection −𝟏, −𝟓

𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

𝒚 = 𝒙𝟒 − 𝟔𝒙𝟐
Example 4: Find the point of inflection of the function 𝒚 = 𝟑𝒙𝟓 + 𝟓𝒙𝟒 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙𝟑
Solution:
𝑦 ′ = 15𝑥 4 + 20𝑥 3 − 60𝑥 2
𝑦 ′′ = 60𝑥 3 + 60𝑥 2 − 120𝑥
Solve x , using slope = 0
𝑦 ′′ = 𝑚 = 0
0 = 60𝑥 3 + 60𝑥 2 − 120𝑥
0 = 60𝑥 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 2 By factoring
0 = 60𝑥 𝑥 + 2 𝑥 − 1
Solve x:
0 = 60𝑥 0=𝑥+2 0=𝑥−1
𝑥=0 𝑥 = −2 𝑥=1

Since, we have three values of x, meaning we

have three inflections points
 Using the given function 𝒚 = 𝟑𝒙𝟓 + 𝟓𝒙𝟒 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙𝟑
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = 0, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦? Point of inflections are
𝒚 = 𝟑 𝟎 𝟓 + 𝟓 𝟎 𝟒 − 𝟐𝟎 𝟎 𝟑 𝟎, 𝟎 ; −𝟐, 𝟏𝟒𝟒 ; 𝟏, −𝟏𝟐
𝑦=0 Graph of the function 𝒚 = 𝟑𝒙𝟓 + 𝟓𝒙𝟒 − 𝟐𝟎𝒙𝟑
Point of inflections are 𝟎, 𝟎
𝑖𝑓 𝑥 = −2, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦?
𝒚 = 𝟑 −𝟐 𝟓 + 𝟓 −𝟐 𝟒 − 𝟐𝟎 −𝟐 𝟑

𝑦 = 144
Point of inflections are −𝟐, 𝟏𝟒𝟒

𝑖𝑓𝑥 = 1, 𝑤ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦?
𝒚 = 𝟑 𝟏 𝟓 + 𝟓 𝟏 𝟒 − 𝟐𝟎 𝟏 𝟑
𝑦 = −12
Point of inflections are 𝟏, −𝟏𝟐
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Determine any maximum, minimum and
inflection points by applying the first and
second derivative test. Draw a sketch of the
curve indicating these points.

a. 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5
1
b. 𝑦 = 6 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 6