• IB
  • IB Docs (2) Team
    Logout
  • Maths
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Combined Science
  • English Language
  • Geography
  • Other Subjects
GCSE Maths
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast PapersPast Papers Questions
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
GCSE Biology
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Gateway Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
GCSE Chemistry
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Gateway Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
GCSE Physics
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Gateway Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
GCSE Combined Science
Edexcel Combined: Biology Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel Combined: Chemistry Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel Combined: Physics Revision NotesPast Papers
AQA Combined: Biology Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Combined: Chemistry Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Combined: Physics Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Gateway Combined: Biology Topic QuestionsRevision Notes
OCR Gateway Combined: Chemistry Revision Notes
OCR Gateway Combined: Physics Revision Notes
GCSE English Language
AQA Revision NotesPractice PapersPast Papers
Edexcel Past Papers
OCR Past Papers
GCSE Geography
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision Notes
Edexcel Topic Questions
GCSE Other Subjects
AQA English LiteratureBusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsFurther MathsGeographyHistoryPsychologySociologyStatistics
Edexcel English LiteratureBusinessComputer ScienceGeographyHistoryPsychologyStatistics
OCR English LiteratureBusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsPsychology
OCR Gateway GeographyHistory
  • Maths
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Double Science
  • Economics
  • English Language
  • Geography
  • Other Subjects
IGCSE Maths
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast PapersBronze-Silver-Gold Questions
CIE (Extended) Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE (Core) Topic QuestionsPast Papers
IGCSE Biology
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2020-2022 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2023-2025 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
IGCSE Chemistry
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2020-2022 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2023-2025 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
IGCSE Physics
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2020-2022 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2023-2025 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
IGCSE Double Science
Edexcel Double: Biology Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel Double: Chemistry Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel Double: Physics Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
IGCSE Economics
CIE Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
IGCSE English Language
CIE Revision NotesPractice PapersPast Papers
Edexcel Past Papers
IGCSE Geography
CIE Revision NotesTopic QuestionsPast Papers
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
IGCSE Other Subjects
CIE Additional MathsEnglish LiteratureBusinessComputer ScienceHistorySociology
Edexcel English LiteratureBusinessComputer ScienceHistoryFurther Maths
  • Maths
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • English Language
  • Other Subjects
AS Maths
Edexcel Pure MathsMechanicsStatistics
AQA Pure MathsMechanicsStatistics
OCR Pure MathsMechanicsStatistics
CIE Pure 1Pure 2MechanicsProbability & Statistics 1
Edexcel IAS Pure 1Pure 2MechanicsStatistics
AS Biology
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2019-2021 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2022-2024 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel IAL Revision Notes
AS Chemistry
Edexcel Revision Notes
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Revision Notes
CIE 2019-2021 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2022-2024 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel IAL Revision Notes
AS Physics
Edexcel Revision Notes
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Revision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2019-2021 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2022-2024 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel IAL Revision Notes
AS English Language
AQA Past Papers
Edexcel Past Papers
OCR Past Papers
AS Other Subjects
AQA BusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsEnglish LiteratureFurther MathsGeographyHistoryPsychologySociology
Edexcel BusinessEconomicsEnglish LiteratureFurther MathsGeographyHistoryPsychology
OCR BusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsEnglish LiteratureFurther Maths AGeographyHistoryPsychologySociology
CIE Further Maths
  • Maths
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • English Language
  • Economics
  • Further Maths
  • Psychology
  • Other Subjects
A Level Maths
Edexcel Pure MathsMechanicsStatistics
AQA Pure MathsMechanicsStatistics
OCR Pure MathsMechanicsStatistics
CIE Pure 1Pure 3MechanicsProbability & Statistics 1Probability & Statistics 2
Edexcel IAL Pure 1Pure 2Pure 3Pure 4Mechanics 1Mechanics 2Statistics 1Statistics 2Decision 1
A Level Biology
Edexcel Topic QuestionsPast Papers
Edexcel A (SNAB) Revision Notes
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast PapersGold Questions
CIE 2019-2021 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2022-2024 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel IAL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
A Level Chemistry
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast PapersGold Questions
CIE 2019-2021 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2022-2024 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel IAL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
A Level Physics
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
OCR Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2019-2021 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE 2022-2024 Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
Edexcel IAL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
A Level English Language
AQA Past Papers
CIE Past Papers
Edexcel Past Papers
OCR Past Papers
Edexcel IAL Past Papers
A Level Economics
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Topic QuestionsPast Papers
OCR Past Papers
CIE Past Papers
A Level Further Maths
Edexcel Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
AQA Past Papers
OCR Past Papers
CIE Past Papers
Edexcel IAL Past Papers
A Level Psychology
AQA Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPast Papers
CIE Past Papers
Edexcel Past Papers
OCR Past Papers
Edexcel IAL Past Papers
A Level Other Subjects
AQA BusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsEnglish LiteratureGeographyHistorySociology
CIE BusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsEnglish LiteratureGeographySociology
Edexcel BusinessEconomics AEnglish LiteratureGeographyHistory
OCR BusinessComputer ScienceEconomicsEnglish LiteratureGeographyHistorySociology
Edexcel IAL English LiteratureGeography
CIE IAL History
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Other Subjects
O Level Biology
CIE Topic QuestionsPast Papers
O Level Chemistry
CIE Topic QuestionsPast Papers
O Level Physics
CIE Topic QuestionsPast Papers
O Level Other Subjects
CIE Additional MathsMaths D
  • Maths
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
Pre U Maths
CIE Topic QuestionsPast Papers
Pre U Biology
CIE Topic QuestionsPast Papers
Pre U Chemistry
CIE Topic QuestionsPast Papers
Pre U Physics
CIE Topic QuestionsPast Papers
  • Maths
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Economics
IB Maths
Maths: AA HL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
Maths: AI HL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
Maths: AA SL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
Maths: AI SL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
IB Biology
Biology: SL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
Biology: HL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
IB Chemistry
Chemistry: SL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
Chemistry: HL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
IB Physics
Physics: SL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
Physics: HL Topic QuestionsRevision NotesPractice Papers
IB Economics
Economics: SL Revision Notes

DP IB Maths: AA SL

Revision Notes

Home / IB / Maths: AA SL / DP / Revision Notes / 5. Calculus / 5.2 Further Differentiation / 5.2.5 Concavity & Points of Inflection


5.2.5 Concavity & Points of Inflection


Concavity of a Function

What is concavity?

  • Concavity is the way in which a curve (or surface) bends
  • Mathematically,
    • a curve is CONCAVE DOWN ifspace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis less or equal than 0 for all values ofspace x in an interval
    • a curve is CONCAVE UP ifspace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis greater or equal than 0 for all values ofspace x in an interval
  • CONCAVE DOWN is often called concave
  • CONCAVE UP is often called convex

ib-aa-sl-5-2-5-concave-diagram

Exam Tip

  • In an exam an easy way to remember the difference is:
    • Concave down is the shape of (the mouth of) a sad smiley ☹︎
    • Concave up is the shape of (the mouth of) a happy smiley ☺︎

Worked Example

 The functionspace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis is given byspace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals x cubed minus 3 x plus 2.

a)
Determine whether the curve of the graph ofspace y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis is concave down or concave up at the points wherespace x equals negative 2 andspace x equals 2.

5-2-5-ib-sl-aa-only-we1-soltn-a

b)
Find the values ofspace x for which the curve of the graphspace y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis of is concave up.

5-2-5-ib-sl-aa-only-we1-soltn-b

Points of Inflection

What is a point of inflection?

  • A point at which the curve of the graph ofspace y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis changes concavity is a point of inflection
  • The alternative spelling, inflexion, may sometimes be used

What are the conditions for a point of inflection?

  • A point of inflection requires BOTH of the following two conditions to hold

    • the second derivative is zero
      • space f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals 0
AND

    • the graph ofspace y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis changes concavity
      • space f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis changes sign through a point of inflection

ib-aa-sl-5-2-5-point-of-inflection-diagram

  • It is important to understand that the first condition is not sufficient on its own to locate a point of inflection
    • points wherespace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals 0 could be local minimum or maximum points
      • the first derivative test would be needed
    • However, if it is already knownspace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis has a point of inflection atspace x equals a, say, thenspace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis a right parenthesis equals 0

What about the first derivative, like with turning points?

  • A point of inflection, unlike a turning point, does not necessarily have to have a first derivative value of 0 (space f apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals 0 )
    • If it does, it is also a stationary point and is often called a horizontal point of inflection
      • the tangent to the curve at this point would be horizontal
    • The normal distribution is an example of a commonly used function that has a graph with two non-stationary points of inflection

How do I find the coordinates of a point of inflection?

  • For the functionspace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis
STEP 1

Differentiatespace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis twice to findspace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis and solvespace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis equals 0 to find the x-coordinates of possible points of inflection

STEP 2    

Use the second derivative to test the concavity ofspace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis either side ofspace x equals a

  • Ifspace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis less than 0 thenspace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis is concave down
  • Ifspace f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis greater than 0 thenspace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis is concave up

If concavity changes, x equals a is a point of inflection

STEP 3

If required, thespace y-coordinate of a point of inflection can be found by substituting thespace x-coordinate intospace f left parenthesis x right parenthesis

Exam Tip

  • You can find the x-coordinates of the point of inflections of space y equals f left parenthesis x right parenthesis by drawing the graph space y equals f apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis and finding the x-coordinates of any local maximum or local minimum points
  • Another way is to draw the graph space y equals f apostrophe apostrophe left parenthesis x right parenthesis and find the x-coordinates of the points where the graph crosses (not just touches) the x-axis

Worked Example

Find the coordinates of the point of inflection on the graph ofspace y equals 2 x cubed minus 18 x squared plus 24 x plus 5.
Fully justify that your answer is a point of inflection.

5-2-5-ib-sl-aa-only-we2-soltn



  • 1. Number & Algebra
    • 1.1 Number Toolkit
      • 1.1.1 Standard Form
        • 1.1.2 Laws of Indices
        • 1.2 Exponentials & Logs
          • 1.2.1 Introduction to Logarithms
            • 1.2.2 Laws of Logarithms
              • 1.2.3 Solving Exponential Equations
              • 1.3 Sequences & Series
                • 1.3.1 Language of Sequences & Series
                  • 1.3.2 Arithmetic Sequences & Series
                    • 1.3.3 Geometric Sequences & Series
                      • 1.3.4 Applications of Sequences & Series
                        • 1.3.5 Compound Interest & Depreciation
                        • 1.4 Proof & Reasoning
                          • 1.4.1 Proof
                          • 1.5 Binomial Theorem
                            • 1.5.1 Binomial Theorem
                          • 2. Functions
                            • 2.1 Linear Functions & Graphs
                              • 2.1.1 Equations of a Straight Line
                              • 2.2 Quadratic Functions & Graphs
                                • 2.2.1 Quadratic Functions
                                  • 2.2.2 Factorising & Completing the Square
                                    • 2.2.3 Solving Quadratics
                                      • 2.2.4 Quadratic Inequalities
                                        • 2.2.5 Discriminants
                                        • 2.3 Functions Toolkit
                                          • 2.3.1 Language of Functions
                                            • 2.3.2 Composite & Inverse Functions
                                              • 2.3.3 Graphing Functions
                                              • 2.4 Further Functions & Graphs
                                                • 2.4.1 Reciprocal & Rational Functions
                                                  • 2.4.2 Exponential & Logarithmic Functions
                                                    • 2.4.3 Solving Equations
                                                      • 2.4.4 Modelling with Functions
                                                      • 2.5 Transformations of Graphs
                                                        • 2.5.1 Translations of Graphs
                                                          • 2.5.2 Reflections of Graphs
                                                            • 2.5.3 Stretches of Graphs
                                                              • 2.5.4 Composite Transformations of Graphs
                                                            • 3. Geometry & Trigonometry
                                                              • 3.1 Geometry Toolkit
                                                                • 3.1.1 Coordinate Geometry
                                                                  • 3.1.2 Radian Measure
                                                                    • 3.1.3 Arcs & Sectors
                                                                    • 3.2 Geometry of 3D Shapes
                                                                      • 3.2.1 3D Coordinate Geometry
                                                                        • 3.2.2 Volume & Surface Area
                                                                        • 3.3 Trigonometry
                                                                          • 3.3.1 Pythagoras & Right-Angled Triganometry
                                                                            • 3.3.2 Non Right-Angled Trigonometry
                                                                              • 3.3.3 Applications of Trigonometry & Pythagoras
                                                                              • 3.4 Further Trigonometry
                                                                                • 3.4.1 The Unit Circle
                                                                                  • 3.4.2 Exact Values
                                                                                  • 3.5 Trigonometric Functions & Graphs
                                                                                    • 3.5.1 Graphs of Trigonometric Functions
                                                                                      • 3.5.2 Transformations of Trigonometric Functions
                                                                                        • 3.5.3 Modelling with Trigonometric Functions
                                                                                        • 3.6 Trigonometric Equations & Identities
                                                                                          • 3.6.1 Simple Identities
                                                                                            • 3.6.2 Double Angle Formulae
                                                                                              • 3.6.3 Relationship Between Trigonometric Ratios
                                                                                                • 3.6.4 Linear Trigonometric Equations
                                                                                                  • 3.6.5 Quadratic Trigonometric Equations
                                                                                                • 4. Statistics & Probability
                                                                                                  • 4.1 Statistics Toolkit
                                                                                                    • 4.1.1 Sampling & Data Collection
                                                                                                      • 4.1.2 Statistical Measures
                                                                                                        • 4.1.3 Frequency Tables
                                                                                                          • 4.1.4 Linear Tranformations of Data
                                                                                                            • 4.1.5 Outliers
                                                                                                              • 4.1.6 Univariate Data
                                                                                                                • 4.1.7 Interpreting Data
                                                                                                                • 4.2 Correlation & Regression
                                                                                                                  • 4.2.1 Bivariate Data
                                                                                                                    • 4.2.2 Correlation & Regression
                                                                                                                    • 4.3 Probability
                                                                                                                      • 4.3.1 Probability & Types of Events
                                                                                                                        • 4.3.2 Conditional Probability
                                                                                                                          • 4.3.3 Sample Space Diagrams
                                                                                                                          • 4.4 Probability Distributions
                                                                                                                            • 4.4.1 Discrete Probability Distributions
                                                                                                                              • 4.4.2 Expected Values
                                                                                                                              • 4.5 Binomial Distribution
                                                                                                                                • 4.5.1 The Binomial Distribution
                                                                                                                                  • 4.5.2 Calculating Binomial Probabilities
                                                                                                                                  • 4.6 Normal Distribution
                                                                                                                                    • 4.6.1 The Normal Distribution
                                                                                                                                      • 4.6.2 Calculations with Normal Distribution
                                                                                                                                        • 4.6.3 Standardisation of Normal Variables
                                                                                                                                      • 5. Calculus
                                                                                                                                        • 5.1 Differentiation
                                                                                                                                          • 5.1.1 Introduction to Differentiation
                                                                                                                                            • 5.1.2 Applications of Differentiation
                                                                                                                                            • 5.2 Further Differentiation
                                                                                                                                              • 5.2.1 Differentiating Special Functions
                                                                                                                                                • 5.2.2 Techniques of Differentiation
                                                                                                                                                  • 5.2.3 Second Order Derivatives
                                                                                                                                                    • 5.2.4 Further Applications of Differentiation
                                                                                                                                                      • 5.2.5 Concavity & Points of Inflection
                                                                                                                                                        • 5.2.6 Derivatives & Graphs
                                                                                                                                                        • 5.3 Integration
                                                                                                                                                          • 5.3.1 Introduction to Integration
                                                                                                                                                            • 5.3.2 Applications of Integration
                                                                                                                                                            • 5.4 Further Integration
                                                                                                                                                              • 5.4.1 Integrating Special Functions
                                                                                                                                                                • 5.4.2 Techniques of Integration
                                                                                                                                                                  • 5.4.3 Definite Integrals
                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.4.4 Further Applications of Integration
                                                                                                                                                                    • 5.5 Optimisation
                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.5.1 Modelling with Differentiation
                                                                                                                                                                      • 5.6 Kinematics
                                                                                                                                                                        • 5.6.1 Kinematics Toolkit
                                                                                                                                                                          • 5.6.2 Calculus for Kinematics
                                                                                                                                                                        Paul Freeman

                                                                                                                                                                        Author: Paul

                                                                                                                                                                        Paul has taught mathematics for 20 years and has been an examiner for Edexcel for over a decade. GCSE, A level, pure, mechanics, statistics, discrete – if it’s in a Maths exam, Paul will know about it. Paul is a passionate fan of clear and colourful notes with fascinating diagrams – one of the many reasons he is excited to be a member of the SME team.


                                                                                                                                                                        Save My Exams Logo
                                                                                                                                                                        Resources
                                                                                                                                                                        Home Join Support

                                                                                                                                                                        Members
                                                                                                                                                                        Members Home Account Logout

                                                                                                                                                                        Company
                                                                                                                                                                        About Us Contact Us Jobs Terms Privacy Facebook Twitter

                                                                                                                                                                        Quick Links
                                                                                                                                                                        GCSE Revision Notes IGCSE Revision Notes A Level Revision Notes Biology Chemistry Physics Maths 2022 Advance Information

                                                                                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                                                        © IB Documents (2) Team & u/aimlesskr
                                                                                                                                                                        IBO was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, the resources created by Save My Exams.