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Why the derivative is set equal to zero?

Updated: 4/27/2022
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The first derivative is set to zero to find the critical points of the function. A critical point can be a minimum, maximum, or a saddle point. There's a reason for this. Suppose a differentiable function f:R->R has a maximum at x=a. Then the function goes down to the right of a, which means f'(a)<=0. Similarly, it also goes down to the left, so f'(a)>=0. Hence f'(a)=0. So the maxima and minima are all points where the derivative is 0. (But the converse isn't true; there could be points where the derivative is 0 which are not maxima or minima.) The derivative of a curve is its gradient. Setting the derivative to zero will find the points where the gradient is zero. If you look at the sketch of a curve you'll see that most interesting things happen where the gradient is zero. Around these points a curve can become a little 'snagged' or even change direction completely. Another point of view.. The derivative is set to zero to find the Boundary points. The Boundary could be the Highest Point/Maximum or the Lowest Point/minimum or both the highest and lowest point, a Saddle Point, highest in one direction and lowest in the other direction.

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Q: Why the derivative is set equal to zero?
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To find critical points?

Take the derivative of the function and set it equal to zero. The solution(s) are your critical points.


How do you find the minimum and maximum points of a function?

Set the first derivative of the function equal to zero, and solve for the variable.


Where the graph of a function equals the value zero?

you have to first find the derivative of the original function. You then make the derivative equal to zero and solve for x.


How do you calculate critical points of derivatives?

The "critical points" of a function are the points at which the derivative equals zero or the derivative is undefined. To find the critical points, you first find the derivative of the function. You then set that derivative equal to zero. Any values at which the derivative equals zero are "critical points". You then determine if the derivative is ever undefined at a point (for example, because the denominator of a fraction is equal to zero at that point). Any such points are also called "critical points". In essence, the critical points are the relative minima or maxima of a function (where the graph of the function reverses direction) and can be easily determined by visually examining the graph.


How can you know that a value is the minimum of a function?

When the first derivative of the function is equal to zero and the second derivative is positive.


What quantity or expression has a derivative equal to zero?

Derivative of a constantThe derivative of any constant is zero. This can be easily conceptualized if you think of the graph of any constant value. The derivative can be thought of as the slope of the line tangent to a curve at any given point. If you graph the expression y = 3, for example, it is just a horizontal line intercepting the y axis at 3. The slope of that line is, of course, equal to zero, for any point on the curve (which in this case is a straight line). Therefore, the derivative (with respect to x) of y = 3 is zero. Since the slope of any horizontal line is zero, the derivative of any line of the form y = k, where k is a constant, is zero.Answer2:Any constant quantity and an expression that has a maximum or minimum or both, has a derivative equal to zero.


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The derivative of 40 is zero. The derivative of any constant is zero.


What is the continuity in mathematics?

Continuity in mathematics is the first derivative equal to zero or the Boundary condition.


What is the derivative of 4pi?

zero. In this problem, since there is no variable, the derivative is zero.


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To optimize a volume means to find either the minimum or maximum value possible. In order to optimize a volume you take the derivative of the volume equation and set it equal to zero.


How do you find the Min value for y in this equation?

You didn't specify the equation. A minimum or maximum value of a function is often found by calculating the derivative of a function, writing an equation for derivative equal to zero, and then analyzing points where the derivative either doesn't exist, or is equal to zero. You'll find find information about this in introductory calculus books.