THE DERIVATIVE IN

GRAPHING AND
APPLICATIONS
 ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONS 1:
INCREASING and DECREASING
FUNCTIONS, ROLLE’S THEOREM,
MEAN VALUE THEOREM, CONCAVITY
and POINT OF INFLECTION
OBJECTIVES:
• define increasing and decreasing functions;
• define concavity and direction of bending that is
concave upward or concave downward;
• define Rolle’s Theorem and Mean Value
Theorem; and
• determine the point of inflection.

.
 INCREASING and DECREASING FUNCTIONS
The term increasing, decreasing, and constant are
used to describe the behavior of a function as we
travel left to right along its graph. An example is
shown below.

increasing decreasing increasing constant

0 2 4
The following definition, which is illustrated in
Figure 4.1.2, expresses these intuitive ideas precisely.

Definition 4.1.1 (p. 233)

Figure 4.1.2 (p. 233)
y y

• •

•
•

x x
Each tangent line y Each tangent line
has positive slope; has negative slope;
function is increasing function is decreasing
• •

x
Each tangent line
has zero slope,
function is constant
Theorem 4.1.2 (p. 233)
EXAMPLE:
1. Find the intervals on which f(x) = x 2 - 4 x + 3 is increa sin g and decrea sin g .
y

f ( x ) = x2 - 4x + 3

decreasing
3
increasing
2
x
-1

f ' (x ) = 2 x - 4 = 2 (x - 2 )
ì f ' ( x ) < 0 when x < 2 Þ f is decreasing on (- ¥ ,2]
thus í
î f ' ( x ) > 0 when x > 2 Þ f is increasing on [2,+¥ )
2. Find the intervals on which f(x) = x 3 is increa sin g and decrea sin g .
y
f ( x ) = x3
4
increasing

x
-3 3
increasing

-4

f ' (x ) = 3 x 2
ì f ' ( x ) > 0 when x < 0 Þ f is increasing on (- ¥ ,0 ]
thus í
î f ' ( x ) > 0 when x > 0 Þ f is increasing on [0,+¥ )
ROLLE’S THEOREM
AND
THE MEAN-VALUE
THEOREM
 ROLLE’S THEOREM

This theorem states the geometrically obvious

fact that if the graph of a differentiable function
intersects the x-axis at two places, a and b there
must be at least one place where the tangent
line is horizontal.
Theorem 4.8.1 (p. 302)
Rolle's Theorem

Figure 4.8.1
EXAMPLE:
Find the two x-intercepts of the function f (x ) = x 2 - 5 x + 4
and confirm that f’(c) = 0 at some point between those
intercepts.

Solution:
f (x ) = x 2 - 5x + 4 = (x - 1)(x - 4 ), so the x - intercepts are x = 1 and
x = 4 since the polynomial f is continuous and differentiable
everywhere, the hypotheses of Rolle' s Theorem are satisfied on
the interval [1,4]. Thus we are guaranteed the existence of at
least one point c in the interval (1,4 ) such that f' (c ) = 0.
5 5
f' (x ) = 2x - 5 = 0 ; x = , so c = is a point on the interval
2 2
(1,4 ) at which f' (c ) = 0.
 y

x
1 2 3 4
-1

-2
æ5ö
f'ç ÷ = 0
è2ø
 THE MEAN-VALUE THEOREM
Rolle’s Theorem is a special case of a more general
result, called the Mean-value Theorem.
Geometrically, this theorem states that between
any two points A (a,f(a)) and B(b,f(b)) on the graph
of a differentiable function f, there is at least one
place where the tangent line to the graph is
parallel to the secant line joining A and B.(Fig 4.8.5)

Figure 4.8.5 (p. 304)

 Note that the slope of the secant line joining A(a,f(a)) and B(b,f(b)) is
f (b ) - f (a )
m=
b-a
and that the slope of the tangent line at c in Figure 4.5.8a is f’(c).
Similarly, in Figure 4.5.8b the slopes of the tangent lines at joining
A(a,f(a)) and B(b,f(b)) is c1 and c 2 are f' (c1 ) and f' (c 2 ), respective ly .
Since nonvertical parallel lines have the same slope, the Mean-Value
Theorem can be stated precisely as follows

Theorem 4.8.2 (p. 304)

Mean-Value Theorem
EXAMPLE:
Show that the function f (x ) = 1 x 3 + 1 satisfies the hypotheses
4
of the mean-value theorem over the interval [0,2], and
find all values of c in the interval (0,2) at which the tangent
line to the graph of f is parallel to the secant line joining
the points (0,f(0)) and (2,f(2)).
Solution:
f is continuous and different iable everywhere because it is a polynomial .
In particular f is continuous on [0,2] and differentiable on (0,2 ), so the
hypotheses of the Mean - Value Theorem are satisfied with a = 0 and b = 2.
3x2 3c 2
But f (a ) = f (0 ) = 1, f (b ) = f (2 ) = 3 Þ f' ( x ) = , and f' (c ) =
4 4
f (b ) - f (a ) 3c 2 3 - 1
Thus f' (c ) = Þ = Þ 3c 2 = 4
b-a 4 2 -0
4 2 3
Therefore c = ± =± » ±1.15 , only + 1.15 lies in the interval (0,2 ).
3 3
 y 1 3
y= x +1
4
4

x
1 2 3 4
-1

-2
 CONCAVITY
Although the sign of the derivative of f reveals where
the graph of f is increasing or decreasing , it does not
reveal the direction of the curvature.
Fig. 4.1.8 suggests two ways to characterize the concavity
of a differentiable f on an open interval:
• f is concave up on an open interval if its tangent lines
have increasing slopes on that interval and is concave
down if they have decreasing slopes.
• f is concave up on an open interval if its graph lies above
its tangent lines and concave down if it lies below its
tangent lines.
 y
y

•
• • •concave•
concave down
• up • • •
•
x x
increasing slopes decreasing slopes

Figure 4.1.8
 Formal definition of the “concave up” and “concave
down”.

Definition 4.1.3 (p. 235)

Since the slopes of the tangent lines to the graph of a
differentiable function f are the values of its derivative f’,
it follows from Theorem 4.1.2 (applied to f’ rather than f )
that f’ will be increasing on intervals where f’’ is positive
and that f’ will be decreasing on intervals where f’’ is
negative. Thus we have the following theorem.

Theorem 4.1.4 (p. 235)

EXAMPLE 1:
y

f ( x ) = x2 - 4x + 3
The picture can't be displayed.

decreasing

3
increasing
2
x
-1

The figure above suggests that the function y = x 2 - 4 x + 3

is concave up on the interval (- ¥ ,+¥ ).
f ' ( x ) = 2 x - 4 and f ' ' ( x ) = 2 Þ f ' ' ( x ) > 0
EXAMPLE 2:
y
f ( x ) = x3
4
increasing
x
-3 3
increasing

-4

The figure above suggests that the function y = x 3

is concave down on the interval (- ¥.0 ) and concave up
on the interval (0,+¥ ).
ì f ' ' ( x ) < 0 if x < 0 and
f ' ( x ) = 3 x and f ' ' ( x ) = 6 x Þ í
2

î f ' ' ( x ) > 0 if x > 0

 INFLECTION POINTS
Points where the curve changes from concave up
to concave down or vice-versa are called points of
inflection.

Definition 4.1.5 (p. 236)

Figure 4.1.9 (p. 236)
EXAMPLE 1:
The figure shows the graph of the function f (x ) = x 3 - 3 x 2 + 1 .
Use the 1st and 2nd derivatives of f to determine the intervals
on which f is increasing, decreasing, concave up and concave
down. Locate all inflection points and confirm that your
conclusions are consistent with the graph.
y

SOLUTION :
2 f ' ( x ) = 3 x 2 - 6 x = 3 x( x - 2 )
1 f ' ' ( x ) = 6 x - 6 = 6 ( x - 1)
x
-1 • 2 3

-3
 INTERVAL (3x)(x-2) f’(x) CONCLUSION
x<0 (-)(-) + f is increasing on (- ¥ ,0 ]
0<x<2 (+)(-) - f is decreasing on [0 ,2]
x>2 (+)(+) + f is increasing on [2 ,+¥ )

INTERVAL (6)(x-1) f’’(x) CONCLUSION

x<1 (-) - f is concave down on (- ¥ ,1)
x>1 (+) + f is concave up on (1,+¥ )

The 2nd table shows that there is a point of inflection at x=1,

since f changes from concave up to concave down at that point.
The point of inflection is (1,-1).
EXAMPLE 2:
Find the inflection points, if any, of f ( x ) = x 4 .
SOLUTION :
f ' (x ) = 4 x 3
ì f ' ' ( x ) > 0 when x < 0; concave up
f ' ' ( x ) = 12 x Þ í
2

î f ' ' ( x ) > 0 when x > 0 ; concave up

Thus there is no change in concavity and hence no inflection
point at x = 0, even though f' ' (0 ) = 0 .
 ANALYSIS OF FUNCTIONS 2:
RELATIVE EXTREMA; GRAPHING
POLYNOMIALS
OBJECTIVES:
• define maximum, minimum, inflection,
stationary and critical points, relative maximum
and relative minimum;
• determine the critical, maximum and minimum
points of any given curve using the first and
second derivative tests;
• draw the curve using the first and second
derivative tests; and
• describe the behavior of any given graph in
terms of concavity and relative extrema
Definition 4.2.1 (p. 244)

Figure 4.2.1
EXAMPLE :

1 4 4 3
y = x - x - x2 + 4 x + 1
3 2 3
2 has a relative minima at x = -1 and x = 2
1 and a relative maximum at x = 1
-1
x
-3 1 2 3

-3
 Figure 4.2.3 (p. 245)
The points x1, x2, x3, x4, and x5 are critical points.
Of these, x1, x2, and x5 are stationary points.
 Figure 4.2.3 illustrates that a relative extremum
can also occur at a point where a function is not
differentiable.
In general, we define a critical point for a function
f to be a point in the domain of f at which either
the graph of f has a horizontal tangent line or f is
not differentiable (line is vertical).
To distinguish between the two types of critical
points we call x a stationary point of f if f’(x)=0.
Thus we have the following theorem:
 EXAMPLE 1:
Find all critical points of f ( x ) = x 3 - 3 x + 1
tangent line
SOLUTION :
f ' ( x ) = 3 x 2 - 3 = 3( x + 1)( x - 1) = 0
ì x + 1 = 0 ® x = -1
thus , í
îx - 1 = 0 ® x = 1

This means that f' ( x ) = 0 when x = -1

and when x = 1
Therefore the critical points
occur at x = -1 and x = 1 tangent line
EXAMPLE 2:
5 2
Find all critical points of f ( x ) = 3 x - 15 x 3 3

SOLUTION :

(x - 2 ) = 5(x -1 2 ) = 0
2 1 1
- -
f ' ( x ) = 5 x - 10 x
3 3
= 5x 3
y
x3
ìx - 2 = 0 ® x = 2 2
ï
thus , í 1 1
ïî x 3 ¹ 0 ® x ¹ 0
x
-1 1 2 3 5
-2
-3
This means that f' ( x ) = 0 when x = 2
-4
and f' ( x ) = ¥ when x = 0
Therefore the critical points •
occur at x = 0 and x = 2 and
that x = 2 is a stationary point. tangent line
 FIRST DERIVATIVE TEST

Theorem 4.2.2 asserts that the relative extrema

must occur at critical points, but it does not say
that a relative extremum occurs at every critical
point.

A function has a relative extremum at those

critical points where f' changes sign.
Figure 4.2.6 (p. 246)
Theorem 4.2.3 (p. 247) First Derivative Test

•The above theorem simply say that for a continuous

function, relative maxima occur at critical points
where the derivative changes from (+) to (–) and
relative minima where it changes from (–) to (+).
EXAMPLE:
5 2

Find all the critical points of f ( x ) = 3 x - 15 x

3 3

y
SOLUTION :
• The critical points 2
1
occur at x = 0 and x = 2 and
x
that x = 2 is a stationary point. -1 1 2 3 5
-2
• we have shown that -3
2 1
- -4
f ' ( x ) = 5 x - 10 x
3 3

1
-
= 5x (x - 2 )
3
•
5( x - 2 )
= 1
x 3 tangent line
A sign analysis of this derivative is shown below :

INTERVAL 1 f’(x)
5( x - 2 ) / x 3

x<0 (-)/(-) +
0<x<2 (-)/(+) _
x>2 (+)/(+) +

The sign of f' changes from + to - at x = 0 ® relative max imum

The sign of f' changes from - to + at x = 2 ® relative min imum
 SECOND DERIVATIVE TEST
There is another test for relative extrema that is based on
the following geometric observation:

• A function f has a relative maximum at stationary point

if the graph of f is concave down on an open interval
containing that point.

• A function f has a relative minimum at stationary point

if the graph of f is concave up on an open interval
containing that point.
 Figure 4.2.7

Note: The second derivative test is applicable only to stationary

points where the 2nd derivative exists.
 EXAMPLE:
1. Find the relative extrema of f ( x ) = 3 x 5 - 5 x 3

SOLUTION :

( )
f ' ( x ) = 15x 4 - 15x 2 = 15x 2 x 2 - 1 = 15x 2 ( x + 1)( x - 1)
when f ' ( x ) = 0 ® 15x 2 ( x + 1)( x - 1) = 0
15x 2 = 0 ; ( x + 1) = 0 ; (x - 1) = 0
x = 0; x = -1; x=1

(
f ' ' ( x ) = 60x 3 - 30x = 30x 2x 2 - 1)
 STATIONARY
POINTS
(
30 x 2 x -1 2
) f’’
2nd DERIVATIVE TEST

x=-1 -30 - f has a relative maximum

x=0 0 0 inconclusive
x=1 30 + f has a relative minimum

INTERVAL 15 x 2 ( x + 1)( x - 1) f’(x) Conclusion

x<-1 (+)(-)(-) +
x=-1 f has a relative maximum
-1<x<0 (+)(+)(-) -
x=0 f has neither a relative max nor min
0<x<1 (+)(+)(-) -
x=1 f has a relative minimum
x>1 (+)(+)(+) +
 y

• 2

x
-1 1 2

-2 •
2. Analyze and trace the curve of y = 3 x - x 3

SOLUTION :
y = 3x - x 3 y' ' = -6 x
y' = 3 - 3 x 2 -6x = 0
( )
3 1 - x 2 = 3(1 + x )(1 - x ) = 0 x=0
(1 + x ) = 0 and (1 - x ) = 0
x = -1 and x=1
 f (x ) f ' (x ) f ' ' (x )
INTERVAL Conclusion
(
x 3- x 2
) 3(1 + x )(1 - x ) -6x
x<-1 (+)(-)(+)= - + f is decreasing; concave upward
x=-1 -2 0 + f has a relative minimum
-1<x<0 (+)(+)(+)= + + f is increasing; concave upward
x=0 0 3 0 f has a point of inflection
0<x<1 (+)(+)(+)= + - f is increasing; concave downward
x=1 2 0 - f is has a relative maximum
x>1 (+)(+)(-)= - - f is decreasing; concave downward
 y

2 •
y = 3x - 3x 3
1

x
-2 -1 1 2

• -2
 4x
3. Analyze and trace the curve of y =
4 + x2
4x
y=
4+x 2

y' =
(4 + x 2 )(4 ) - 4 x(2 x )
(4 + x 2 )2
16 + 4 x 2 - 8 x 2 16 - 4 x 2
y' = =
4+x( 2 2
) (
4 + x2 2 )
y' =
(
4 4 - x2
=
)
4(2 + x )(2 - x )
=0
( 4+x 2 2
) 4+x (2 2
)
(2 + x ) = 0 and (2 - x ) = 0
x = -2 and x=2
 y' ' =
(4 + x )(- 8 x ) - (- 4 x + 16 )(2 )(4 + x )(2 x )
2 2 2

(4 + x ) 2 4

(4 + x ) (- 8 x ) - 4 x(4 + x )(- 4 x + 16 ) = 0
2 2 2 2

- 4x(4 + x )[2(4 + x ) + (- 4 x + 16 )] = 0
2 2 2

- 4x(4 + x )(8 + 2 x - 4 x + 16 ) = 0
2 2 2

- 4x(4 + x )(- 2 x + 24 ) = 0
2 2

8 x(4 + x )(x - 12 ) = 0
2 2

x = 0 and x = ±2 3
 INTERVAL f (x ) f ' (x ) f ' ' (x ) Conclusion

x < -2 3 - - f is decreasing; concave downward

3
x = -2 3 - -0.125 0 f has a point of inflection
2

- 2 3 < x < -2 - + f is decreasing; concave upward

x= -2 -1 0 0.25 f has a relative minimum

-2<x<0 + + f is increasing; concave upward

x=0 0 1 0 f has a point of inflection

0<x<2 + - f is increasing; concave downward

x=2 1 0 -0.25 f is has a relative maximum

2<x<2 3 - - f is decreasing; concave downward

3
x=2 3 -0.125 0 f has a point of inflection
2

x>2 3 - + f is decreasing; concave upward

 y 4x
y=
4 + x2

1 • •
`
x
-4 •-3 -2 -1 1 2 3 4
•

-2
Exercises:
Determine any critical points, point of inflection and
trace the curve.
1. y = 2 x 3 + 3 x 2 - 12 x + 7 6. y = 3 x 4 - 8 x 3 + 6 x 2

2
2. y = 2 7. y = x ( 2 - x )
2 2
x -4

3. y = 3 x 4 - 4 x 3 - 12 x 2 x
8. y =
(1 - x ) 2

1
4. y = x + 2
2

x
1 5 2 3
5. y = x - x
5 3