Dear forumers,
I have just started a new site: http://weews.wetpaint.com
and I'd like to call for ideas of suitable/relevant articles I could write about to address learning difficulties in Additional Mathematics (and even Elementary Mathematics).
Thanks in advance for your input!
Cheers,
Wen Shih
i will post some elementary maths question for u :)
cheers
Syncopation_music
um now im learning application of differentiation to stationary points.
maybe can post some interesting questions or tips on how to solve those questions?
esp the ones to find the nature of the points where d^2y/dx^2 = 0
my teacher doesnt really explain the sign test really well.
thanks if possible!
Dear syncopation_music,
Thanks in advance! I have earmarked the topics of factorisation, set theory and probability for E maths to start with, after some thinking too :)
Cheers,
Wen Shih
Dear xstryker,
The problem with the 2nd derivative test is that when its value is zero, there is no conclusion to be made as to the nature of the turning point. We consider two examples below.
Suppose we take y = x^3, of which both dy/dx and (d^2 y) / (d x^2) are 0 (you may verify them). In this case, we know from the shape of the graph that the origin is a stationary point of inflexion.
Now take y = x^4. This time, the origin is a minimum turning point despite having both dy/dx and (d^2 y) / (d x^2) equal to 0.
The first derivative test is a more complete test that helps to identify all types of nature of stationary points.
Hope this clarifies.
Cheers,
Wen Shih