Calculus AB : Graph Functions and Their First and Second Derivatives

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Calculus AB

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

Which of the following is the correct graph of the derivative of ?

Possible Answers:

Q1 a3

Q1 a2

Q1 a1

Correct answer:

Q1 a1

Explanation:

The derivative of  is .  So the graph of the derivative will have a positive slope of two and pass through the origin.

 

Example Question #2 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

Identify the local maximums and minimums in the following plot

Q2

Possible Answers:

maximums: , minimums: 

maximums: , minimums: 

maximums: , minimums: 

maximums: , minimums: 

Correct answer:

maximums: , minimums: 

Explanation:

The local maximums will be the points at which the slope is equal to zero and the slope is in the process of changing from positive to negative.  The local minimums will be the points at which the slope is equal to zero and in the process of changing from negative to positive.  Therefore the maximums are  and the minimums are  .

Example Question #3 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

The following plot is the plot of the derivative of .  Which of the following is true from the graph of this derivative.

Q3

Possible Answers:

All of the above

The function is increasing on the intervals  and  and decreasing on .

The function is concave up on the interval  and concave down on .

There is a local maximum at  and a local minimum at  .

Correct answer:

All of the above

Explanation:

Points of inflection occur when the graph of the derivative cross the x-axis. If the derivative is going from positive to negative, this tells us the function has a local maximum at this point.  If the derivative is going from negative to positive, then the function has a local minimum at that point.  From this we see that there is a local maximum at  and a local minimum at .

 

The function is increasing when its derivative is positive and decreasing when its derivative is negative.  From this we see that the function is increasing on the intervals and  and decreasing on  .


The first derivative graph can also tell us about the concavity of our function.  When the derivative is increasing, the function is concave up.  When the derivative is decreasing, the function is concave down.  From this we see that the function is concave up on the interval  and concave down on .

Example Question #51 : Analytical Applications Of Derivatives

Which of the following is the graph of the derivative of ? State the local maximum(s).

Possible Answers:

Local max: 

Q4 a1

No local max:

Q4 a2

Local max 

Q4 a3

Correct answer:

No local max:

Q4 a2

Explanation:

The derivative of the function  is .  There is no local maximum for this plot.  Nowhere in the plot of the derivative is there a point where the derivative crosses the x-axis going from positive to negative.

Example Question #2 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

True or False: We have a function  and it’s derivative.  The derivative is concave up from  and so the function  must also be concave up on the same interval.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

We may want to answer true because we associate concavity with increasing functions, but functions that are decreasing can also be concave up.  The rule of thumb is, if the derivative of a function is increasing on an interval, then the function is concave up.  Here, we are only given the information that the derivative is concave up, but no insight into whether or not it is increasing or decreasing.  So this statement is false.

Example Question #6 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

The derivative of a function crosses the x-axis going from negative to positive at .  The derivative crosses the x-axis once more at  going from positive to negative.  Which of the following is true about these critical points.

Possible Answers:

The function is concave down at and concave up at 

 is a minimum,  is a maximum

The function is concave up at  and concave down at 

 is a maximum,  is a minimum

Correct answer:

 is a minimum,  is a maximum

Explanation:

Remember that critical points of a derivative give us insight into maximum, minimums, and points of inflection.  If the derivative crosses the x-axis going from positive to negative then this tells us that the function has a local maximum at this point.  If the derivative crosses the x-axis going from negative to positive, then this tells us that the function has a local minimum at that point.  Remember the derivative tells us about the rate of change.  If the slope of our function changes from negative to positive, then there must be a small trench that is a minimum.  If the slope of our function changes from positive to negative, then there must be a small hill that is a maximum.

Example Question #52 : Analytical Applications Of Derivatives

True or False: If our function is increasing then the derivative must be y-positive.

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

True

Explanation:

This is true.  For all points of the derivative that are above the x-axis, this is telling us the slope of our function is positive and therefore increasing.  For all points of the derivative below the x-axis, this is telling us the slope of our function is negative and therefore decreasing.

Example Question #8 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

Suppose the derivative of function  crosses the x-axis at  going from positive to negative, and again at  going from negative to positive.  Which of the following could be the graph of ?

Possible Answers:

Q8 a1

Q8 a3

Q8 a2

Correct answer:

Q8 a3

Explanation:

From the description of the derivative we know that a local maximum is at .  Since the derivative is crossing the x-axis going from positive to negative at this point, we assume that the slope of the function  is going from positive to negative creating a local maximum.  At  we are give that the derivative crosses the x-axis going from negative to positive.  This means that our function  is going from decreasing to increasing creating a local minimum.  The graph above meets these criteria.

Example Question #1 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

The following is the graph of the derivative of :

Q9

 

From the graph of the derivative, which of the following is correct?

Possible Answers:

There are points of inflection at  and 

 is decreasing from  and decreasing on the intervals  and 

 is concave up on the interval  and concave down on the interval 

 is concave down on the interval  and concave up on the interval 

Correct answer:

 is concave up on the interval  and concave down on the interval 

Explanation:

We know that our function will be concave up when the derivative is increasing and concave down when the derivative is decreasing.  The graph of the derivative is increasing on the interval  and so  will be concave up on this interval.  The graph of the derivative is decreasing on the interval  and so  will be concave down on this interval.

Example Question #2 : Graph Functions And Their First And Second Derivatives

True or False: An increasing derivative means that the function  must be positive

Possible Answers:

False

True

Correct answer:

False

Explanation:

Just because a derivative is increasing does not mean that the function  will be positive.  We know that if the derivative is increasing, then the function must be concave up.  We are given no insight as to where the function starts and no insight as to whether the function is positive or negative.

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