The aim of this applet is for students to discover how to find the local maximum and minimum points of a function, by investigating the link between a function, its slope and its first and second derivatives.
Students will investigate the link between a cubic function, its slope and its first derivative.
They will then investigate the link between the local maximum and minimum points, and the value of the first derivative.
They will investigate the link between the first derivative at y=0 (where the original function is at max/ min) and the value of the second derivative.
Finally they will attempt to bring this information together to show the link between the maximum and minimum points, the value of first derivative and the value of the second derivative.
The accompanying worksheet can be obtained by contacting the creator.
