BestMaths Online

Summary

a function is said to be increasing when its gradient is positive and decreasing when the gradient is negative. 

a stationary point occurs on the curve of a function when the gradient at that point is zero.

stationary points can be minimum points, maximum points or points of inflection.

Key Skills

• inspect the curve of a function and state where the function is increasing or decreasing and identify any stationary points.
• find the coordinates and nature of turning points

Vocabulary

function, gradient, increasing function, decreasing function, turning point, stationary point, point of inflection, minimum point, maximum point