The gradient of a curve is given by the derivative of the equation of the curve.

The second derivative of a function f(x), given by f''(x), and the second derivative of an equation y, given by d²y/dx², can be found by differentiating the function and the equation twice. For graphs, the second derivative represents the rate of change of the gradient.

At the stationary points and points of inflection of a graph, the derivative of the function of the equation of the graph is 0. Therefore, these points can be found by finding the derivative of the function, equating it to 0 and solving for x.

The maxima of a graph are the high points of the graph at which the slope is zero. At maxima, the second derivative of the function is less than 0. The minima of a graph are the low points of the graph at which the slope is zero. At minima, the second derivative of the function is more than 0.

A function f(x) is said to be increasing at point x if f'(x) > 0 or decreasing at point x if f'(x) < 0.

1

Find the gradient of the curve given by the equation y = cotx + 18x.

2

What is the gradient of the given curve?

3

Find the stationary points of y = x³/3 − x²/2 − 6x and classify them as maxima and minima.

4

Verify that x = 3 is a minimum point of the equation y = x³/3 − 2x² + 4x + 12.

5

The second derivative of a graph at x = 5 is found to be 27. Explain what this means.