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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 = 2x² − 16x + 7 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 2x² − 16x + 7 · dy/dx = 4x − 16 = 0
  2. 2. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 130x + 5 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 5x² − 130x + 5 · dy/dx = 10x − 130 = 0
  3. 3. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 150x + 24 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 5x² − 150x + 24 · dy/dx = 10x − 150 = 0
  4. 4. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 2x² − 8x + 25 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 2x² − 8x + 25 · dy/dx = 4x − 8 = 0
  5. 5. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 7x² − 84x + 2 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 7x² − 84x + 2 · dy/dx = 14x − 84 = 0
  6. 6. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 1x² − 14x + 22 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 1x² − 14x + 22 · dy/dx = 2x − 14 = 0
  7. 7. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 4x² − 88x + 12 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 4x² − 88x + 12 · dy/dx = 8x − 88 = 0
  8. 8. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 110x + 2 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 5x² − 110x + 2 · dy/dx = 10x − 110 = 0
  9. 9. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 3x² − 78x + 10 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 3x² − 78x + 10 · dy/dx = 6x − 78 = 0
  10. 10. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 1x² − 10x + 19 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 1x² − 10x + 19 · dy/dx = 2x − 10 = 0
  11. 11. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 6x² − 72x + 15 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 6x² − 72x + 15 · dy/dx = 12x − 72 = 0
  12. 12. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 6x² − 24x + 12 where dy/dx = 0.

    y = 6x² − 24x + 12 · dy/dx = 12x − 24 = 0
12 questions · Seed 46 · 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 = 2x² − 16x + 7 where dy/dx = 0.

    -25

    Setting dy/dx = 4x − 16 = 0 gives x = 4. Substituting x = 4 gives y = 2(4)² − 16(4) + 7 = -25.

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

    13

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

  3. 3. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 150x + 24 where dy/dx = 0.

    15

    Setting dy/dx = 10x − 150 = 0 gives x = 15.

  4. 4. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 2x² − 8x + 25 where dy/dx = 0.

    2

    Setting dy/dx = 4x − 8 = 0 gives x = 2.

  5. 5. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 7x² − 84x + 2 where dy/dx = 0.

    -250

    Setting dy/dx = 14x − 84 = 0 gives x = 6. Substituting x = 6 gives y = 7(6)² − 84(6) + 2 = -250.

  6. 6. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 1x² − 14x + 22 where dy/dx = 0.

    7

    Setting dy/dx = 2x − 14 = 0 gives x = 7.

  7. 7. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 4x² − 88x + 12 where dy/dx = 0.

    -472

    Setting dy/dx = 8x − 88 = 0 gives x = 11. Substituting x = 11 gives y = 4(11)² − 88(11) + 12 = -472.

  8. 8. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 5x² − 110x + 2 where dy/dx = 0.

    -603

    Setting dy/dx = 10x − 110 = 0 gives x = 11. Substituting x = 11 gives y = 5(11)² − 110(11) + 2 = -603.

  9. 9. Find the minimum y-value of the quadratic curve y = 3x² − 78x + 10 where dy/dx = 0.

    -497

    Setting dy/dx = 6x − 78 = 0 gives x = 13. Substituting x = 13 gives y = 3(13)² − 78(13) + 10 = -497.

  10. 10. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 1x² − 10x + 19 where dy/dx = 0.

    5

    Setting dy/dx = 2x − 10 = 0 gives x = 5.

  11. 11. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 6x² − 72x + 15 where dy/dx = 0.

    6

    Setting dy/dx = 12x − 72 = 0 gives x = 6.

  12. 12. Find the stationary x-coordinate of the quadratic curve y = 6x² − 24x + 12 where dy/dx = 0.

    2

    Setting dy/dx = 12x − 24 = 0 gives x = 2.

12 questions · Seed 46 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification