A Fifth-Degree Polynomial and Its Derivatives
A Fifth-Degree Polynomial and Its Derivatives
This Demonstration displays the graph of the fifth-degree polynomial, , and up to four of its derivatives. As you move the slider across, note how when the function (blue curve) goes down, the first derivative (orange) is below the axis, and when the function has a maximum or minimum the first derivative crosses the axis. Check how the second derivative (green) shows the concavity of the function. Why is the fourth derivative a straight line?
f(x)=0.01-0.015-0.21+0.2+0.5x-0.5
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