Second Derivative Test

Definition

The second derivative test is used to determine whether critical points correspond to local maxima, minima, or neither. It involves analyzing the concavity of a function at those critical points.

Related terms

First Derivative Test:

A method used to determine whether critical points correspond to local maxima or minima by analyzing intervals of increasing and decreasing slopes.

Critical Points:

Points on a function where its derivative is either zero or undefined.

Inflection Point:

A point on a graph where its concavity changes from concave up to concave down or vice versa.