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Mathematical Expression Editor
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Here we look at graphs of higher order derivatives.
Since the derivative gives us a formula for the slope of a tangent line to a curve, we
can gain information about a function purely from the sign of the derivative. In
particular, we have the following theorem
If is differentiable on an interval,
then
on that interval whenever is increasing as increases on that interval.
on that interval whenever is decreasing as increases on that interval.
Below we have graphed :
Is the first derivative positive or negative on the interval ?
Below we have graphed :
Is the graph of increasing or decreasing as increases on the interval ?
We call the derivative of the derivative the second derivative, the derivative of the
derivative of the derivative the third derivative, and so on. We have special
notation for higher derivatives, check it out:
First derivative:
.
Second derivative:
.
Third derivative:
.
We use the facts above in our next example.
Here we have unlabeled graphs of , , and :
Identify each curve above as a graph of , , or .
Here we see three curves, , , and .
Since is
when is positive and
when is negative, we see Since is increasing when is
and decreasing when is
, we see Hence , , and .
Here we have unlabeled graphs of , , and :
Identify each curve above as a graph of , , or .
Here we see three curves, , , and .
Since is
when is positive and
when is negative, we see Since is increasing when is
and decreasing when is
, we see Hence , , and .
Here we have unlabeled graphs of , , and :
Identify each curve above as a graph of , , or .
Start typing the name of a mathematical function to automatically insert it.
(For example, "sqrt" for root, "mat" for matrix, or "defi" for definite integral.)
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Start typing the name of a mathematical function to automatically insert it.
(For example, "sqrt" for root, "mat" for matrix, or "defi" for definite integral.)