Lesson: Second Derivative Test for Local Extrema Mathematics • Higher Education

In this lesson, we will learn how to classify local extrema using the second derivative test.

Lesson Plan

Objectives

Students will be able to

  • classify local extrema as minima or maxima using the second derivative test,
  • use the first derivative test in case the second derivative test is inconclusive, in order to determine the type of local extrema or whether there is an inflection point.

Prerequisites

Students should already be familiar with

  • finding critical/stationary points on a curve by using differentiation,
  • differentiating polynomial, rational, radical, trigonometric, exponential, logarithmic, and absolute value functions,
  • the chain, product, and quotient rules.

Exclusions

Students will not cover

  • the concavity of points on a curve.

Lesson Video

Video Thumbnail
17:08

Lesson Explainer

Sample Question Videos

  • 08:32
  • 06:58
  • 08:59

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