Find stationary points and nature

Questions requiring finding coordinates of stationary points by solving dy/dx = 0 and determining their nature using the second derivative test or sign change of first derivative.

30 questions · Moderate -0.1

1.07n Stationary points: find maxima, minima using derivatives
Sort by: Default | Easiest first | Hardest first
CAIE P1 2022 June Q9
7 marks Moderate -0.3
9 The equation of a curve is \(y = 3 x + 1 - 4 ( 3 x + 1 ) ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } }\) for \(x > - \frac { 1 } { 3 }\).
  1. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) and \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the stationary point of the curve and determine its nature.
CAIE P1 2023 June Q10
12 marks Standard +0.3
10 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{51bd3ba6-e1d1-4c07-81cd-d99dd77f9306-14_832_830_276_653} The diagram shows the points \(A \left( 1 \frac { 1 } { 2 } , 5 \frac { 1 } { 2 } \right)\) and \(B \left( 7 \frac { 1 } { 2 } , 3 \frac { 1 } { 2 } \right)\) lying on the curve with equation \(y = 9 x - ( 2 x + 1 ) ^ { \frac { 3 } { 2 } }\).
  1. Find the coordinates of the maximum point of the curve.
  2. Verify that the line \(A B\) is the normal to the curve at \(A\).
  3. Find the area of the shaded region.
    If you use the following lined page to complete the answer(s) to any question(s), the question number(s) must be clearly shown.
CAIE P1 2006 June Q10
10 marks Standard +0.3
10 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{cbcb15b4-1870-4dfd-b6e9-839aa4601511-4_515_885_662_630} The diagram shows the curve \(y = x ^ { 3 } - 3 x ^ { 2 } - 9 x + k\), where \(k\) is a constant. The curve has a minimum point on the \(x\)-axis.
  1. Find the value of \(k\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the maximum point of the curve.
  3. State the set of values of \(x\) for which \(x ^ { 3 } - 3 x ^ { 2 } - 9 x + k\) is a decreasing function of \(x\).
  4. Find the area of the shaded region.
CAIE P1 2007 June Q10
12 marks Moderate -0.8
10 The equation of a curve is \(y = 2 x + \frac { 8 } { x ^ { 2 } }\).
  1. Obtain expressions for \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) and \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\).
  2. Find the coordinates of the stationary point on the curve and determine the nature of the stationary point.
  3. Show that the normal to the curve at the point \(( - 2 , - 2 )\) intersects the \(x\)-axis at the point \(( - 10,0 )\).
  4. Find the area of the region enclosed by the curve, the \(x\)-axis and the lines \(x = 1\) and \(x = 2\).
CAIE P1 2013 June Q9
11 marks Moderate -0.3
9 A curve has equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) and is such that \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x ) = 3 x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } } + 3 x ^ { - \frac { 1 } { 2 } } - 10\).
  1. By using the substitution \(u = x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } }\), or otherwise, find the values of \(x\) for which the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) has stationary points.
  2. Find \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime } ( x )\) and hence, or otherwise, determine the nature of each stationary point.
  3. It is given that the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) passes through the point \(( 4 , - 7 )\). Find \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\).
CAIE P1 2016 June Q5
7 marks Standard +0.3
5 A curve has equation \(y = 8 x + ( 2 x - 1 ) ^ { - 1 }\). Find the values of \(x\) at which the curve has a stationary point and determine the nature of each stationary point, justifying your answers.
CAIE P1 2017 June Q9
9 marks Moderate -0.3
9 The equation of a curve is \(y = 8 \sqrt { } x - 2 x\).
  1. Find the coordinates of the stationary point of the curve.
  2. Find an expression for \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) and hence, or otherwise, determine the nature of the stationary point.
  3. Find the values of \(x\) at which the line \(y = 6\) meets the curve.
  4. State the set of values of \(k\) for which the line \(y = k\) does not meet the curve.
CAIE P1 2002 November Q8
7 marks Moderate -0.3
8 A curve has equation \(y = x ^ { 3 } + 3 x ^ { 2 } - 9 x + k\), where \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Write down an expression for \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\).
  2. Find the \(x\)-coordinates of the two stationary points on the curve.
  3. Hence find the two values of \(k\) for which the curve has a stationary point on the \(x\)-axis.
CAIE P1 2007 November Q8
8 marks Moderate -0.3
8 The equation of a curve is \(y = ( 2 x - 3 ) ^ { 3 } - 6 x\).
  1. Express \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) and \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) in terms of \(x\).
  2. Find the \(x\)-coordinates of the two stationary points and determine the nature of each stationary point.
CAIE P1 2017 November Q8
9 marks Moderate -0.8
8 A curve is such that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = - x ^ { 2 } + 5 x - 4\).
  1. Find the \(x\)-coordinate of each of the stationary points of the curve.
  2. Obtain an expression for \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\) and hence or otherwise find the nature of each of the stationary points.
  3. Given that the curve passes through the point \(( 6,2 )\), find the equation of the curve.
CAIE P2 2014 November Q5
8 marks Standard +0.3
5 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c703565b-8aa8-424b-9684-6592d4effdf8-2_554_689_1354_726} The diagram shows part of the curve $$y = 2 \cos x - \cos 2 x$$ and its maximum point \(M\). The shaded region is bounded by the curve, the axes and the line through \(M\) parallel to the \(y\)-axis.
  1. Find the exact value of the \(x\)-coordinate of \(M\).
  2. Find the exact value of the area of the shaded region.
CAIE P2 2017 November Q3
6 marks Standard +0.3
3 The equation of a curve is \(y = \tan \frac { 1 } { 2 } x + 3 \sin \frac { 1 } { 2 } x\). The curve has a stationary point \(M\) in the interval \(\pi < x < 2 \pi\). Find the coordinates of \(M\), giving each coordinate correct to 3 significant figures.
CAIE P2 2018 November Q3
5 marks Standard +0.3
3 \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{cc7e798e-0817-405c-bae0-b24b9f451fbf-04_378_486_260_826} The diagram shows the curve with equation $$y = 5 \sin 2 x - 3 \tan 2 x$$ for values of \(x\) such that \(0 \leqslant x < \frac { 1 } { 4 } \pi\). Find the \(x\)-coordinate of the stationary point \(M\), giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
Edexcel P1 2019 January Q6
7 marks Moderate -0.3
  1. (Solutions based entirely on graphical or numerical methods are not acceptable.)
Given $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = 2 x ^ { \frac { 5 } { 2 } } - 40 x + 8 \quad x > 0$$
  1. solve the equation \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x ) = 0\)
  2. solve the equation \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime } ( x ) = 5\)
Edexcel P1 2021 January Q7
9 marks Moderate -0.3
7. In this question you must show all stages of your working. Solutions relying on calculator technology are not acceptable. $$f ( x ) = 2 x - 3 \sqrt { x } - 5 \quad x > 0$$
  1. Solve the equation $$f ( x ) = 9$$
  2. Solve the equation $$\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime } ( x ) = 6$$
Edexcel P1 2024 June Q7
8 marks Moderate -0.3
  1. The curve \(C\) has equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\) where
$$f ( x ) = 2 x ^ { 3 } - k x ^ { 2 } + 14 x + 24$$ and \(k\) is a constant.
  1. Find, in simplest form,
    1. \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x )\)
    2. \(\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime } ( x )\) The curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ^ { \prime } ( x )\) intersects the curve with equation \(y = \mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime } ( x )\) at the points \(A\) and \(B\). Given that the \(x\) coordinate of \(A\) is 5
  2. find the value of \(k\).
  3. Hence find the coordinates of \(B\).
Edexcel P2 2024 January Q10
9 marks Standard +0.3
  1. In this question you must show detailed reasoning.
Solutions relying entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable. \begin{figure}[h]
\includegraphics[alt={},max width=\textwidth]{0e08d931-aa1c-48a8-8b39-47096f981950-30_646_741_376_662} \captionsetup{labelformat=empty} \caption{Figure 2}
\end{figure} Figure 2 shows a sketch of the curve with equation $$y = \frac { 1 } { 2 } x ^ { 2 } + \frac { 1458 } { \sqrt { x ^ { 3 } } } - 74 \quad x > 0$$ The point \(P\) is the only stationary point on the curve.
  1. Use calculus to show that the \(x\) coordinate of \(P\) is 9 The line \(l\) passes through the point \(P\) and is parallel to the \(x\)-axis.
    The region \(R\), shown shaded in Figure 2, is bounded by the curve, the line \(l\) and the line with equation \(x = 4\)
  2. Use algebraic integration to find the exact area of \(R\).
Edexcel P2 2022 October Q7
9 marks Standard +0.3
  1. The curve \(C\) has equation
$$y = \frac { 12 x ^ { 3 } ( x - 7 ) + 14 x ( 13 x - 15 ) } { 21 \sqrt { x } } \quad x > 0$$
  1. Write the equation of \(C\) in the form $$y = a x ^ { \frac { 7 } { 2 } } + b x ^ { \frac { 5 } { 2 } } + c x ^ { \frac { 3 } { 2 } } + d x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } }$$ where \(a , b , c\) and \(d\) are fully simplified constants. The curve \(C\) has three turning points.
    Using calculus,
  2. show that the \(x\) coordinates of the three turning points satisfy the equation $$2 x ^ { 3 } - 10 x ^ { 2 } + 13 x - 5 = 0$$ Given that the \(x\) coordinate of one of the turning points is 1
  3. find, using algebra, the exact \(x\) coordinates of the other two turning points.
    (Solutions based entirely on calculator technology are not acceptable.)
OCR H240/01 2023 June Q6
9 marks Standard +0.3
6 A curve has equation \(y = \mathrm { e } ^ { x ^ { 2 } + 3 x }\).
  1. Determine the \(x\)-coordinates of any stationary points on the curve.
  2. Show that the curve is convex for all values of \(x\).
Edexcel PMT Mocks Q3
9 marks Moderate -0.3
3. The curve \(C\) has equation $$y = 8 \sqrt { x } + \frac { 18 } { \sqrt { x } } - 20 \quad x > 0$$ a. Find
i) \(\frac { d y } { d x }\) ii) \(\frac { d ^ { 2 } y } { d x ^ { 2 } }\) b. Use calculus to find the coordinates of the stationary point of \(C\).
c. Determine whether the stationary point is a maximum or minimum, giving a reason for your answer.
Edexcel Paper 1 2018 June Q2
7 marks Moderate -0.8
  1. A curve \(C\) has equation
$$y = x ^ { 2 } - 2 x - 24 \sqrt { x } , \quad x > 0$$
  1. Find (i) \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\) (ii) \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\)
  2. Verify that \(C\) has a stationary point when \(x = 4\)
  3. Determine the nature of this stationary point, giving a reason for your answer.
AQA C2 2006 June Q7
21 marks Moderate -0.8
7 At the point \(( x , y )\), where \(x > 0\), the gradient of a curve is given by $$\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 3 x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } } + \frac { 16 } { x ^ { 2 } } - 7$$
    1. Verify that \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x } = 0\) when \(x = 4\).
      (1 mark)
    2. Write \(\frac { 16 } { x ^ { 2 } }\) in the form \(16 x ^ { k }\), where \(k\) is an integer.
    3. Find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } ^ { 2 } y } { \mathrm {~d} x ^ { 2 } }\).
    4. Hence determine whether the point where \(x = 4\) is a maximum or a minimum, giving a reason for your answer.
  1. The point \(P ( 1,8 )\) lies on the curve.
    1. Show that the gradient of the curve at the point \(P\) is 12 .
    2. Find an equation of the normal to the curve at \(P\).
    1. Find \(\int \left( 3 x ^ { \frac { 1 } { 2 } } + \frac { 16 } { x ^ { 2 } } - 7 \right) \mathrm { d } x\).
    2. Hence find the equation of the curve which passes through the point \(P ( 1,8 )\).
AQA C2 2011 January Q7
16 marks Moderate -0.3
  1. Given that \(y = x + 3 + \frac { 8 } { x ^ { 4 } }\), find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\).
  2. Find an equation of the tangent at the point on the curve \(C\) where \(x = 1\).
  3. The curve \(C\) has a minimum point \(M\). Find the coordinates of \(M\).
    1. Find \(\int \left( x + 3 + \frac { 8 } { x ^ { 4 } } \right) \mathrm { d } x\).
    2. Hence find the area of the region bounded by the curve \(C\), the \(x\)-axis and the lines \(x = 1\) and \(x = 2\).
  4. The curve \(C\) is translated by \(\left[ \begin{array} { l } 0 \\ k \end{array} \right]\) to give the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\). Given that the \(x\)-axis is a tangent to the curve \(y = \mathrm { f } ( x )\), state the value of the constant \(k\).
    (1 mark)
OCR Further Additional Pure AS 2018 March Q2
13 marks Standard +0.8
2 The surface \(S\) has equation \(z = x ^ { 2 } y - 8 x y ^ { 2 } + \frac { x } { y }\) for \(y \neq 0\).
  1. (a) Find the following.
AQA C2 2007 January Q6
16 marks Moderate -0.3
6 A curve \(C\) is defined for \(x > 0\) by the equation \(y = x + 1 + \frac { 4 } { x ^ { 2 } }\) and is sketched below. \includegraphics[max width=\textwidth, alt={}, center]{c16d94a6-52f2-4bf3-acee-0b227ae55a1a-4_545_784_420_628}
    1. Given that \(y = x + 1 + \frac { 4 } { x ^ { 2 } }\), find \(\frac { \mathrm { d } y } { \mathrm {~d} x }\).
    2. The curve \(C\) has a minimum point \(M\). Find the coordinates of \(M\).
    3. Find an equation of the normal to \(C\) at the point ( 1,6 ).
    1. Find \(\int \left( x + 1 + \frac { 4 } { x ^ { 2 } } \right) \mathrm { d } x\).
    2. Hence find the area of the region bounded by the curve \(C\), the lines \(x = 1\) and \(x = 4\) and the \(x\)-axis.