Detectives Detectives
Max or Min?
Signs & Lines
First Derivative Test Solving
First-Derivative Test… But Make It Fun
100

This is a point where f′(x)=0 or is undefined.

What is a critical point?

100

If f′(x) changes from positive to negative at ccc, you found this.

What is a local maximum?

100

If test values around x=4 show f′(x) goes +→−, the point is this.

What is a local max?

100

Process: find f′(x), set it = 0, make sign chart, classify points.

What is the First Derivative Test? 


100

We check both sides of a point like we're doing this before crossing the street.

What is “look both ways first”?

200

If f′(x)>0 on an interval, the function is doing this.

What is increasing?

200

If f′(x) changes from negative to positive at ccc, you found this.

What is a local minimum?

200

If test values around x=-2 show f′(x) goes -→+, the point is this.

What is a local min?

200

for critical

x/(x^2 -6x +16)

 points occur here 



What is x=−4 and x=4

200

This place can beat even a critical point for “best or worst value.”

What are the endpoints?

300

For polynomial functions, the derivative is undefined this many times.

What is never? (they're defined everywhere)

300

When f′(x) doesn't change sign, the point is this.

What is neither a max nor a min?

300

The sign of f′(x) determines whether the function is doing this.

What is increasing or decreasing?

300

For f(x)=2x3-15x2+24x+7 on [0,6], the abs max occurs here

What is x=6?

300

The derivative shows how you're moving, kind of like this app.

What is Google Maps / GPS?

400

Solving 6x2-30x+24=0 gives you these special x-values. 

What are x=1 and x=4?

400

For f(x)=2x3-15x2+24x+7, the local max happens here. 

What is x=1?

400

A horizontal tangent occurs when this equals 0.

What is f′(x)?

400

Given Intervals: f'(x)>0 on (-∞,1), f'(x)<0 on (1,4), f'(x)>0 on (4,∞)

What are a local max at x=1 and a local min at x=4?

400

A point where everything pauses and decides what to do next.

What is a dramatic pause / plot twist moment?