1st and 2nd

Derivative Tests and

Curve Sketching
By: Mahiya Pisupati and Anushka Ramachandra
Overview
1. First 2. Second
Derivative Test: Derivative Test:
Theorems & Theorems &
Examples Examples

3. Curve 4. Function 5. MCQ’s and

Sketching Characteristics FRQ’s
 Definitions of a Function
→ If a function exists, then it must be increasing, decreasing, or remaining
constant.
a. If a function is increasing then the slope of f is positive.
b. If a function is decreasing then the slope of f is negative.
c. If a function is constant then the slope of f is 0.
→ When a function increases and decreases, we can also look at the slope or the
derivative (f’(x)) of the function.
a. If f’(x) > 0 for all x in the interval, then f is increasing.
b. If f’(x) < 0 for all x in the interval, then f is decreasing.
c. If f’ (x) = 0 for all x in the interval, then f is constant.
Increasing & Decreasing Functions
More specifically:
a. If for any two numbers c and d in the interval, if c < d then f(c) <
f(d), then a function is increasing.
b. If for any two numbers c and d in the interval, if c < d then f(c) >
f(d), then a function is decreasing.
Relative Extrema
→ Relative extrema are the points on a function where the curve changes direction
from increasing to decreasing, or from decreasing to increasing.
- Highest and lowest points on a graph in a specific region of the graph.

→ A function can only have relative extrema at critical points. Critical points are
locations where the derivative of a function is either zero or undefined.

We say that x = c is a critical point of a function f(x) if:

1. f(c) exists, and
a. f′(c)=0, or
b. f′(c) does not exist.
 1st Derivative Test
The first derivative test is used to determine relative
extrema.
1. For a continuous function f, where c is a critical
point, if f’ changes from positive to negative at x =
c, then f has a relative maximum at x = c.
2. For continuous function f, where c is a critical
point, if f’ changes from negative to positive at x =
Use a sign chart to
c, then f has a relative minimum at x = c. determine the sign
3. For continuous function f, where c is a critical point, of f’!
if f’ stays positive or stays negative, then x = c is
neither a relative minimum or maximum.
1st Derivative Test Example
Ex: Using the equation of f(x), determine the relative extrema
of the function, if any.
f(x) = x4 - 4x3 + 12
1st Derivative Test Example
f(x) = x4 - 4x3 + 12
1. Find f’(x)
f’(x) = 4x3 - 12x2

2. Set f’(x) equal to zero to find the critical points.

4x3 - 12x2 = 0
4x2(x-3) = 0
x = 0, x = 3
3. Now that we have our critical points, we set up our sign chart.
1st Derivative Test
Intervals x<0 0<x<3 x>3
Test Value for f’(x) 4x3 - 12x2 4x3 - 12x2 4x3 - 12x2
4(-1)3 - 12(-1)2 4(1)3 - 12(1)2 4(4)3 - 12(4)2
-4 - 12 4- 12 4(64) - 12(16)
= -16 = -8 = 64

f’(x) Sign Negative (-) Negative (-) Positive (+)

Increasing/Decreasing? Decreasing Decreasing Increasing

→ At critical point x = 0, f’ goes from negative to negative, which means

there is no relative extrema at x = 0

→ At critical point x = 3, f’ goes from negative to positive which means

that at x = 3, there is a relative minimum.
1st Derivative Test Example
Use the 1st Derivative Test to solve:
1st Derivative Test Example
Use the 1st Derivative Test to solve: ● f(x) has a relative maximum
at x=0, thus f’ must go from
positive to negative at x=0
● Since f(x) is decreasing on
the left end side, and
increasing at the right end
side, f’ must be negative in
beginning and positive at
the end
● Thus this leaves us with
answer choice B.
Concavity Definition
Concavity describes the curvature of a
function.

If f is differentiable on (a,b) then:

1. If f’ is increasing on (a,b) then f is concave
up on (a,b).
→ tangent lines touch from below and
yield and underestimate.
2. If f’ is decreasing on (a,b), the f is concave
down on (a,b).
→ Tangents will touch from above and
yield and overestimate.
2nd Derivative Test
→ The second derivative test states that if f is a function with
continuous second derivative, where f’(c) = 0, and f is continuous
and differentiable on an open interval containing c, then:
a. If f’’ is < 0, then function f has a relative maximum at x =
c.
i. If f’’ is < 0 on (a,b) then f concave down on (a,b).
b. If f’’(c) is > 0, then function f has a relative minimum at x
= c.
i. If f’’ is > 0 on (a,b) then f concave up on (a,).
c. If f’’(c) = 0, then the second derivative test is inconclusive
and the first derivative test must be done to determine
the relative extrema.
2nd Derivative Test
Inflection points are points on a graph where the
concavity changes.

(c, f(c)) is an inflection point on f if:

1. f is continuous at x = c
2. f has a tangent at x = c
3. f changes concavity at x = c

If all three conditions are true, then (c, f(c)) is an

inflection point.
2nd Derivative Test Example:
2nd Derivative Test Example:

f’’(x) = (1)(lnx) + x(1/x) = lnx + 1 lnx + 1 < 0 Since the domain already is x > 0,
→ if f”(x) > 0 then graph is lnx < -1 and we have established that x <
concave up → x < e-1 1/e, the domain is 0 < x < 1/e,
→ if f”(x) < 0 then graph is → x < 1/e which is option C.
concave down.
1st & 2nd Derivative Test for Inflection Points
First Derivative Test for Inflection Points:

If f’ changes from increasing to decreasing or decreasing to increasing

at x = c, then f has an inflection point at x = c.

Second Derivative Test for Inflection Points:

If f” changes from positive to negative or negative to positive at x =
c, then f has an inflection point at x = c.
1st & 2nd Derivative Test for Inflection Points
1st & 2nd Derivative Test for Inflection Points

Using the 1st

Derivative Test for
Inflection Points, we
can see that the graph
of f’x changes from
increasing to
decreasing 6 times.
Curve Sketching
Definition: A method for analyzing and drawing the graph of a function
using its equation and properties such as:

Precalculus concepts → First derivative Test

● Domain ● increasing /decreasing intervals
● Range ● Relative/Absolute extrema
● X & Y intercepts Second Derivative Test
● Symmetry (even/odd) ● Concavity
● Asymptotes(vertical/horizontal/slant) ● Inflection points
● Function type
● End Behavior
Finding Horizontal Asymptote with Limits
● Another way you can find a horizontal asymptote is by setting the limit of
the equation to positive and negative infinity.
● Why this works: A horizontal asymptote is a horizontal line on a function's
graph that the function approaches as its input tends toward positive or
negative infinity. It describes the function's end behavior but is not a line
the function is required to touch or cross.
○ This means that the horizontal asymptote will also be the same as the
function’s end behavior, which can be found by setting limit of the
function to infinity and negative infinity.
Finding Horizontal Asymptote with Limits
From the example:
1st derivative test

The function y is decreasing from (-∞, -1) U (-1,0) and increasing from (0,1) U
(1, ∞), and there is a relative minimum at the point (0,4
2nd Derivative test

The function y is concave down at (-∞, 1) U (1,∞) and concave up at (-1,1).

There are no inflection points, the function just changes concavity around
the vertical asymptotes.
Sketching the Graph
FRQ’s and MCQ’s
FRQ’s and MCQ’s

Critical Points: Intervals x < -1 -1 < x < 0 0<x<3 x>3

f’(x) = 0
x(x-3)2(x+1) = 0 Test Value (-2)(-2-3)2(-2 (-0.5)(-0.5-3)2( (1)(1-3)2(1+1) (4)(4-3)2(4+1
x = 0, 3, -1 for f’(x) +1) 0.5+1) = =8 )
-3.0625
= 50 = 20

f’(x) Sign Positive Negative Positive Negative

Since relative maximum means from positive to negative, the f(x) sign changes from positive to
negative at x = -1. Therefore according to the First Derivative Test, x= -1, is a relative maximum.
FRQ’s and MCQ’s
MCQ #2:
FRQ’s and MCQ’s

Critical Points: Intervals x < -3 -3 < x < 3 x>3

(x2 - 9) = (x+3)(x-3) = 0
x = 3, x = -3 Test Value (-42-9)(-) (02-9)(-) (42 - 9)(-)
for f’(x) = -7 =9 =-7

f’(x) Sign Negative Positive Negative

Since f goes from positive to negative and x = 3, and goes from negative to positive at x = -3, according
to the First Derivative Test there is a relative minimum at x = -3, and a relative maximum at x = 3.
FRQ’s and MCQ’s
FRQ #1:
FRQ’s and MCQ’s
FRQ’s and MCQ’s
FRQ #2:
FRQ’s and MCQ’s
 Thank
you!
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Sources:
Inflection Points
First Derivative Test
5.2 First Derivative Test
Critical Points Image
College Board FRQ
College Board FRQ
Flipped Math MCQ