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Concavity & Points of Inflection (DP IB Maths: AI HL)
Revision Note
Concavity of a Function
What is concavity?
- Concavity is the way in which a curve (or surface) bends
- Mathematically,
- a curve is CONCAVE DOWN if for all values of in an interval
- a curve is CONCAVE UP if for all values of in an interval
Examiner Tip
- In an exam an easy way to remember the difference is:
- Concave down is the shape of (the mouth of) a sad smiley ☹︎
- Concave up is the shape of (the mouth of) a happy smiley ☺︎
Worked example
The function is given by.
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Points of Inflection
What is a point of inflection?
- A point at which the curve of the graph of changes concavity is a point of inflection
- The alternative spelling, inflexion, may sometimes be used
What are the conditions for a point of inflection?
- A point of inflection requires BOTH of the following two conditions to hold
-
- the second derivative is zero
- the second derivative is zero
-
- the graph of changes concavity
- changes sign through a point of inflection
- the graph of changes concavity
- It is important to understand that the first condition is not sufficient on its own to locate a point of inflection
- points where could be local minimum or maximum points
- the first derivative test would be needed
- However, if it is already known has a point of inflection at, say, then
- points where could be local minimum or maximum points
What about the first derivative, like with turning points?
- A point of inflection, unlike a turning point, does not necessarily have to have a first derivative value of 0 ( )
- If it does, it is also a stationary point and is often called a horizontal point of inflection
- the tangent to the curve at this point would be horizontal
- The normal distribution is an example of a commonly used function that has a graph with two non-stationary points of inflection
- If it does, it is also a stationary point and is often called a horizontal point of inflection
How do I find the coordinates of a point of inflection?
- For the function
Differentiate twice to find and solve to find the -coordinates of possible points of inflection
Use the second derivative to test the concavity of either side of
- If then is concave down
- If then is concave up
If concavity changes, is a point of inflection
If required, the-coordinate of a point of inflection can be found by substituting the-coordinate into
Examiner Tip
- You can find the x-coordinates of the point of inflections of by drawing the graph and finding the x-coordinates of any local maximum or local minimum points
- Another way is to draw the graph and find the x-coordinates of the points where the graph crosses (not just touches) the x-axis
Worked example
Find the coordinates of the point of inflection on the graph of.
Fully justify that your answer is a point of inflection.
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