Theorem 1 : If function f has a relative minimum or maximum at x = a, we either have f ' (a) = 0
(stationary point) or f ' (a) does not exist.
An applet that displays the graphs of f, f ' and f '' may be used to fully understand the
theorem. Start the applet by pressing the button "press here to start".
In this applet you may expand and reflect the graph of f vertically using the button "change
height" and also shift the graph horizontally "change position". Verify that whenever there is a
relative minimum or maximum at a certain point, f '(x) is equal to zero at that point (stationary
point).
Theorem 2 : (first derivative test) let f be a continuous function.
3 possible cases a, b and c.
2.a - If f ' (a) = 0 or f ' (x) does not exists at x = a and if f ' (x) < 0 to the left of a
and f ' (a) > 0 to the right of a, then f has a relative minimum at x = a.
2.b - If f ' (a) = 0 or f ' (x) does not exists at x = a and if f ' (x) > 0 to the left of a
and f ' (a) < 0 to the right of a, then f has a relative maximum at x = a.
3.b - If f ' (a) has the same sign to the left and to the right of x = a, then f does not have
relative minimum or maximum (relative extremum) at x = a.
Use the applet to set the height so that the f has relative minimum and check that f ' (x) has
the required signs as stated above in case a).
Use the applet to set the height so that the f has relative maximum and check that f ' (x) has
the required signs as stated above in case b).
Theorem 3 : (first and second derivatives test) Suppose that both f ' and f '' exists at x = a
and that f ' (a) = 0 (stationary point).
3 possible cases a, b and c.
3.a - If f '' (a) > 0 , f has a relative minimum at x = a.
3.b - If f '' (a) < 0 , f has a relative maximum at x = a.
3.c - If f '' (a) = 0 , no conclusion can be made, use theorem 2 above.
Use the applet to set the height so that f has relative mnimum and check that f ''(x) > 0 at
the point where the relative maximum is positioned.
Use the applet to set the height so that the f has relative maximum and check that f ''(x) < 0
at the point where the relative minimum is positioned.
More references on
calculus problems