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TASMath MethodsQuick questions
Unit 3
Quick questions on The second derivative, concavity and points of inflection (TCE Mathematics Methods, Tasmania)
3short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is points of inflection?Show answer
A point of inflection is where the concavity switches from up to down or from down to up.
What is the second derivative test?Show answer
Once you have found a stationary point by solving , the second derivative gives a quick classification.
What is acceleration as a second derivative?Show answer
In motion problems the second derivative has a physical meaning. If is position, then is velocity and is acceleration. Positive acceleration (concave up displacement graph) means the velocity is increasing, and negative acceleration means it is decreasing.
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