Notes On First Derivative Test - CBSE Class 12 Maths
Consider f(x) = 2x2 , ∀ x ∈ R From the graph, we have f(x) = 0 if x = 0 and f(x) ≥ 0   ∀ x ∈ R The minimum value of f is 0 and the point of minimum value of f is x = 0. The graph of function f has no maximum value, and hence, no point of maximum value of f in R. Let f be a function defined on an open interval D. Let f be continuous at a critical point, a, in D. Local minima If f '(x) changes its sign from negative to positive as x increases through a, i.e. if f '(x) < 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of a, and f '(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the right of a, then "a" is the point of local minima. The local minimum value is f(a). Local maxima If f '(x) changes its sign from positive to negative as x increases through a, i.e. if f '(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of a, and f '(x) < 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the right of a, then a is the point of local maxima. The local maximum value is f(a). '0' is neither a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima. '0' is the point of inflection. Point of inflection If f '(x) does not change its sign as x increases through critical point "a", then "a" is known as the point of inflection. At point "a", f has neither a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima. Steps for finding local maxima and local minima: Step1: Find the derivative of f(x), i.e. f '(x). Step2: Let a1,a2,a3,... ... ..., an be the roots of f '(x) = 0 . Here, a1,a2,a3,... ... ..., an are called the critical points or stationary points of x. Note: The local maxima or local minima of f(x) can be attained at some or all these stationary points of x. Step 3:Consider x = a1. If f '(x) > 0 at the left neighbourhood values of a1 and if f '(x) < 0 at the right neighbourhood values of a1 , then x = a1 is the point of local maxima. Consider x = a1. If f '(x) < 0 at the left neighbourhood values of a1 and if f '(x) > 0 at the right neighbourhood values of a1, then x = a1 is the point of local minima. Note: If f '(x) does not change its sign as x increases through a1 , then x = a1 is neither a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima.

#### Summary

Consider f(x) = 2x2 , ∀ x ∈ R From the graph, we have f(x) = 0 if x = 0 and f(x) ≥ 0   ∀ x ∈ R The minimum value of f is 0 and the point of minimum value of f is x = 0. The graph of function f has no maximum value, and hence, no point of maximum value of f in R. Let f be a function defined on an open interval D. Let f be continuous at a critical point, a, in D. Local minima If f '(x) changes its sign from negative to positive as x increases through a, i.e. if f '(x) < 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of a, and f '(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the right of a, then "a" is the point of local minima. The local minimum value is f(a). Local maxima If f '(x) changes its sign from positive to negative as x increases through a, i.e. if f '(x) > 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the left of a, and f '(x) < 0 at every point sufficiently close to and to the right of a, then a is the point of local maxima. The local maximum value is f(a). '0' is neither a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima. '0' is the point of inflection. Point of inflection If f '(x) does not change its sign as x increases through critical point "a", then "a" is known as the point of inflection. At point "a", f has neither a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima. Steps for finding local maxima and local minima: Step1: Find the derivative of f(x), i.e. f '(x). Step2: Let a1,a2,a3,... ... ..., an be the roots of f '(x) = 0 . Here, a1,a2,a3,... ... ..., an are called the critical points or stationary points of x. Note: The local maxima or local minima of f(x) can be attained at some or all these stationary points of x. Step 3:Consider x = a1. If f '(x) > 0 at the left neighbourhood values of a1 and if f '(x) < 0 at the right neighbourhood values of a1 , then x = a1 is the point of local maxima. Consider x = a1. If f '(x) < 0 at the left neighbourhood values of a1 and if f '(x) > 0 at the right neighbourhood values of a1, then x = a1 is the point of local minima. Note: If f '(x) does not change its sign as x increases through a1 , then x = a1 is neither a point of local maxima nor a point of local minima.

Previous
Next