CONCAVITY AND INFLECTION POINTS

Find the Second Derivative of the function, f.

Set the Second Derivative

equal to zero and solve.

To determine if these numbers are

potential Inflection Points, make
sure they are in the domain of the
original function, f.

Determine whether the

Second Derivative is
undefined for any x-values.

If these numbers are NOT in the

domain of the original function, f, and
then stop here.

Plot these numbers on a number line and test the

regions with the Second Derivative.

A positive result
indicates the function is
Concave Up on that
interval.

A negative result
indicates the function is
Concave Down on that
interval.

The function has an Inflection Point at any value where the sign changes
from positive to negative or negative to positive.

Plug the x-value into the original function, f, to obtain the

y-coordinate of the Inflection Point.

Example 1:

Find all inflection points of the graph of f(x) = x 6x + 8x +10.

We know that f'(x) = 4x3 12x + 8. We then proceed as follows:

f''(x) = 12x2 12

12x2 12 = 0
12(x2 1) = 0
12(x 1)(x + 1)= 0
x=1, x = 1

The Second Derivative is

defined for all x-values.

Both 1 and 1 are in the domain of the original function,

f(x) = x4 6x2 + 8x + 10

Plot these numbers on a number line and test the regions with the Second Derivative.
Lets select a convenient number in the interval less than 1, between 1 and 1, and greater than 1. How
about 2, 0, and 2, respectively?
2

When we test 2 in the Second Derivative, we obtain 12(-2)2 12 = 36; when we test 0 in the Second
Derivative, we obtain 12(0)2 12 = 12; and finally, when we test 2 in the Second Derivative, we obtain
12(2)212 = 36. Therefore, the graph is concave up for x values less that 1 and greater than 1, and
concave down between -1 and 1.
Concave Up

Concave Down
1

Concave Up
1

The function has Inflection Points at -1 and 1 since the concavity changes.

Plug these two values into the original function to obtain the y-coordinates of the Inflection Points:
f(1)=(1)4 6(1)2 + 8(1) + 10 = 3
f(1)=(1)4 6(1)2 + 8(1) + 10 = 13
So, (1, 3) and (1, 13) are Inflection Points.

Example 2:

Find all inflection points of the graph of f(x) = x .

We know that f'(x) = 4x3. We then proceed as follows:

f''(x) = 12x2

The Second Derivative is

defined for all x-values.

12x2= 0
X=0

0 is in the domain of the original function, f(x) = x4.

Plot this number on a number line and test the regions with the Second Derivative.
Lets select a convenient number in the interval less than zero. How about -1? Then we
select a convenient number in the interval greater than zero, How about 1?
-1

1
0

Now, when we test -1 and 1 in the Second Derivative, we obtain 12(-1)2 = 12,
and 12(1)2 = 12
Since both results are positive, the graph is concave up on both intervals
Concave Up

Concave Up
0

No change in concavity. Consequently, (0, 0) is NOT an Inflection Point.

Example 3:

Find all inflection points of the graph of f(x) = 13 + 2.

We know that f'(x) = . We then proceed as follows:

f''(x) =

2
9

53 =

9 53

The Second Derivative is

undefined when x = 0.

The Second Derivative is

never 0.

0 is in the domain of the original function, f(x) = 13 + 2.

Plot this number on a number line and test the regions with the Second Derivative.
Lets select a convenient number in the interval less than zero. How about -1? Then
we select a convenient number in the interval greater than zero, How about 1?
-1

1
0

Now, when we test -1 and 1 in the Second Derivative, we obtain

and

9(1)53

2
9

9(1)53

=9

Since the first result is positive and the second is negative, the graph is concave up for
all values less than 0 and concave down for all values greater than 0.
Concave Up

Concave Down
0

The function has an Inflection Point at 0 since the concavity changes.

Plug 0 into the original function to obtain the y-coordinates of the

Inflection Point: f(0) = (0)13 + 2 = 2
So, (0, 2) is an Inflection Point.

Example 4:

Find all inflection points of the graph of f(x) = .

We know that f'(x) = -1x-2. We then proceed as follows:

f''(x) = 2x-3
2

= 3

The Second Derivative is

undefined when x = 0 .

The Second Derivative is

never 0.

0 is NOT in the domain of the original function, f(x) = .

Therefore, there are NO INFLECTION POINTS due to the fact that the original function, f, is not
defined at 0.
Lets say you did perform the number line test:
-1

1
0

If we test -1 and 1 in the Second Derivative, we obtain

Concave Down

(1)3

= 2 and

Concave Up

(1)3

=2

0
It is very tempting to conclude that since the graph is concave down for all x values less than 0, and
concave up for all x values greater than 0, then 0 must be a point of inflection.
However, the fact that a change in concavity occurs is not, of itself, a guarantee that there is an
Inflection Point. You must make sure that the function is defined at the number, and in this
problem, it was not. Therefore, there is no Inflection Point.