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KLscilevothma
May30-03, 11:37 PM
I was given a remark and an example in my notes.

Remark: If f ''(xo)=0, then fourth derivative test

Example:
f(x)=x4
f ''(0)=0
apply the fourth derivative test
f(4)(x)=24 >0
therefore (0,0) is a minimun point

What exacly is the fourth derivative test? I can't find any resources from the internet. What if the function f(x)=x^5 ? Do we have the eighth derivative test?

Brad_Ad23
May31-03, 12:16 AM
I don't recall there being a 4th derivative test.

On Radioactive Waves
May31-03, 12:30 AM
It looks as if you're applying the second derivative test to a second derivative.

mathman
May31-03, 06:57 PM
The general idea (when the first derivative is 0) is to keep taking derivatives until you get one that's not 0. If it is an odd derivative, then you've got a horizontal inflection point. If it is an even derivative, then the sign distinguishes between max (-) and min (+).