point of inflexion (1 Viewer)

Arithela

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
306
Gender
Female
HSC
2008
what is the difference between a point of inflexion and a horizontal point of inflexion? if there is a difference, when do we use them? thanks
 

dolbinau

Active Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,334
Gender
Male
HSC
2008
It's the same thing. As far as I know. At least in 2u maths.
 

hollyy.

stop looking at me swan.
Joined
Apr 26, 2008
Messages
1,148
Location
cadbury world.
Gender
Female
HSC
2008
i dont think its the same thing, but i dunno the difference either :(
 

tommykins

i am number -e^i*pi
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
5,730
Gender
Male
HSC
2008
回复: Re: point of inflexion

horizontal point of inflextion is when f'x and f''x = 0
point of inflextion is when f''x = 0 but f'x =/= 0
 

lyounamu

Reborn
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
9,989
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
Arithela said:
what is the difference between a point of inflexion and a horizontal point of inflexion? if there is a difference, when do we use them? thanks
At horizontal point of inflexion, both the first derivative and second derivative are 0.


At point of inflexion, however, the first derivative is not 0 but the 2nd derivative is 0.
 

Graceofgod

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
136
Location
Now? A computer.
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2008
Hmmmm

Horizontal point of inflexion is where f'(x) = 0 and f"(x) = 0, not just f"(x).

This means that the gradient is 0 at the point, and the concavity changes too. Unlike a normal point of inflexion where just concavity changes.

High five for 2u maths. Don't know why I do it >.<
 

Arithela

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
306
Gender
Female
HSC
2008
for this question for e.g.
1)b) Find the coordinates of the point of inflexion.

what happens here?
 

lyounamu

Reborn
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
9,989
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
Arithela said:
for this question for e.g.
1)b) Find the coordinates of the point of inflexion.

what happens here?
How am I meant to find point of inflexion with this limited info?
 

12o9

Member
Joined
Mar 29, 2008
Messages
180
Location
Sydney
Gender
Male
HSC
2009
Arithela said:
for this question for e.g.
1)b) Find the coordinates of the point of inflexion.

what happens here?
f''(x) = 0 , remember to show a change in concavity as some schools deduct marks for not showing it
 

lyounamu

Reborn
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
9,989
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
Arithela said:
do we just let f"(x) = 0? what about f'(x)?
Nothing to f'(x).

But if you found that f'(x) and f''(x) both 0 at that point, that's most likely a point of inflexion but you will have to test each side of that point to see that there is no change in gradient.
 

lepellillow

New Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2008
Messages
25
Gender
Female
HSC
2008
also remember when you sketch, that points of inflexion are smooth but horizontal points of inflexion have like a little kink in the curve
 

Graceofgod

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
136
Location
Now? A computer.
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2008
Normally in a 2u test, the questions like this will give you an equation.

You will then be asked to find the turning points and determine their nature. To do this you find when f'(x) = 0 and then test with f"(x)

If during one of these tests, you get f"(x) = 0, you have found yourself a horizontal point of inflexion.

The next question is usually, as you stated, "Find the co-ordinates of the(any) point(s) of inflexion"

Then the next question is obviously sketch the graph.
 

locked.on

Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2008
Messages
67
Gender
Male
HSC
2009
Arithela said:
do we just let f"(x) = 0? what about f'(x)?
To find a horizontal point of inflexion, you solve for f''(x) = 0 and the root must also be a solution to f'(x) = 0.
 

lyounamu

Reborn
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
9,989
Gender
Male
HSC
N/A
locked.on said:
To find a horizontal point of inflexion, you solve for f''(x) = 0 and the root must also be a solution to f'(x) = 0.
No. At horizontal point of inflexion, f'(x) and f''(x) = 0.
 

Arithela

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
306
Gender
Female
HSC
2008
ok thanks.. i know how to find pts and nature etc. but horizontal and pts of inflexion confused me. nvm its fine :)
 

dolbinau

Active Member
Joined
Nov 14, 2006
Messages
1,334
Gender
Male
HSC
2008
Cool. I don't think I was ever taught the difference :p.
 

Arithela

Member
Joined
Jun 23, 2007
Messages
306
Gender
Female
HSC
2008
one more question...

does area of major segment = area of sector - area of minor segment?
 

Graceofgod

Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2008
Messages
136
Location
Now? A computer.
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2008
When a circle is divided into two segments by a chord, the smaller of the two segments is called the minor segment, the larger the major segment.
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top