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MathsAges 16-18

Stationary & turning points of curves

Set the first derivative dy/dx = 0 to locate the stationary point or minimum turning value of a quadratic curve. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Stationary & turning points of curves

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  1. 1. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 50x + 14 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 5x² − 50x + 14 · dy/dx = 10x − 50 = 0
  2. 2. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 120x + 2 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 5x² − 120x + 2 · dy/dx = 10x − 120 = 0
  3. 3. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 7x² − 84x + 9 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 7x² − 84x + 9 · dy/dx = 14x − 84 = 0
  4. 4. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 48x + 9 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 8x² − 48x + 9 · dy/dx = 16x − 48 = 0
  5. 5. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 128x + 6 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 8x² − 128x + 6 · dy/dx = 16x − 128 = 0
  6. 6. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 224x + 1 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 8x² − 224x + 1 · dy/dx = 16x − 224 = 0
  7. 7. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 4x² − 120x + 7 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 4x² − 120x + 7 · dy/dx = 8x − 120 = 0
  8. 8. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 130x + 15 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 5x² − 130x + 15 · dy/dx = 10x − 130 = 0
  9. 9. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 80x + 8 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 8x² − 80x + 8 · dy/dx = 16x − 80 = 0
  10. 10. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 7x² − 140x + 16 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 7x² − 140x + 16 · dy/dx = 14x − 140 = 0
  11. 11. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 4x² − 32x + 6 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 4x² − 32x + 6 · dy/dx = 8x − 32 = 0
  12. 12. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 3x² − 6x + 9 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 3x² − 6x + 9 · dy/dx = 6x − 6 = 0
12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification
View the answer key
Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Stationary & turning points of curves

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

  1. 1. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 50x + 14 where dy/dx = 0.

    -111

    Setting dy/dx = 10x − 50 = 0 gives x = 5. Substituting x = 5 gives y = 5(5)² − 50(5) + 14 = -111.

  2. 2. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 120x + 2 where dy/dx = 0.

    12

    Setting dy/dx = 10x − 120 = 0 gives x = 12.

  3. 3. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 7x² − 84x + 9 where dy/dx = 0.

    6

    Setting dy/dx = 14x − 84 = 0 gives x = 6.

  4. 4. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 48x + 9 where dy/dx = 0.

    3

    Setting dy/dx = 16x − 48 = 0 gives x = 3.

  5. 5. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 128x + 6 where dy/dx = 0.

    -506

    Setting dy/dx = 16x − 128 = 0 gives x = 8. Substituting x = 8 gives y = 8(8)² − 128(8) + 6 = -506.

  6. 6. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 224x + 1 where dy/dx = 0.

    -1567

    Setting dy/dx = 16x − 224 = 0 gives x = 14. Substituting x = 14 gives y = 8(14)² − 224(14) + 1 = -1567.

  7. 7. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 4x² − 120x + 7 where dy/dx = 0.

    15

    Setting dy/dx = 8x − 120 = 0 gives x = 15.

  8. 8. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 130x + 15 where dy/dx = 0.

    13

    Setting dy/dx = 10x − 130 = 0 gives x = 13.

  9. 9. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 8x² − 80x + 8 where dy/dx = 0.

    5

    Setting dy/dx = 16x − 80 = 0 gives x = 5.

  10. 10. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 7x² − 140x + 16 where dy/dx = 0.

    -684

    Setting dy/dx = 14x − 140 = 0 gives x = 10. Substituting x = 10 gives y = 7(10)² − 140(10) + 16 = -684.

  11. 11. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 4x² − 32x + 6 where dy/dx = 0.

    4

    Setting dy/dx = 8x − 32 = 0 gives x = 4.

  12. 12. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 3x² − 6x + 9 where dy/dx = 0.

    6

    Setting dy/dx = 6x − 6 = 0 gives x = 1. Substituting x = 1 gives y = 3(1)² − 6(1) + 9 = 6.

12 questions · Seed 42 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification