If f'(x) is decreasing, then f”(x) is?
If \(f'(x)\) is a decreasing function, we need to determine the nature of \(f”(x)\), the second derivative of \(f(x)\)
If \(f'(x)\) is a decreasing function, we need to determine the nature of \(f”(x)\), the second derivative of \(f(x)\).
The second derivative, \(f”(x)\), represents the rate of change of the slope of the function \(f(x)\) with respect to \(x\). In simpler terms, it shows how the slope of the tangent line to \(f(x)\) changes as \(x\) varies.
When \(f'(x)\) is decreasing, it means that the slope of \(f(x)\) is getting smaller as \(x\) increases. This could indicate that the function is transitioning from a steep uphill slope to a less steep uphill slope or from a gentle downhill slope to a steeper downhill slope.
To deduce the behavior of \(f”(x)\), we examine the sign of \(f”(x)\):
– If \(f”(x) > 0\), it indicates that the slope of \(f(x)\) is increasing. This means that as \(x\) increases, the slope becomes steeper, resulting in a concave-up shape of the graph.
– If \(f”(x) < 0\), it indicates that the slope of \(f(x)\) is decreasing. This means that as \(x\) increases, the slope becomes less steep, resulting in a concave-down shape of the graph.
- If \(f''(x) = 0\), it indicates a transition point. At this point, the concavity of the graph changes from concave-up to concave-down or vice versa.
Therefore, when \(f'(x)\) is decreasing, \(f''(x)\) can either be negative or zero, indicating a concave-down or a point of transition in concavity, respectively.
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