y = x^2 stationary points: maximum? minimum?

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The stationary points occur when 2x = 0, ie. when x = 0. Is this a maximum or a minimum or what?
 
Re: y = x^2 stationary points

Hello, americo74!

\(\displaystyle y\,=\,x^2\).
The stationary points occur when 2x = 0, ie. when x = 0.
Is this a maximum or a minimum or what?
Are you familiar with the Second Derivative Test?

The second derivative is: \(\displaystyle \,y''\,=\,2\,\) which is always positive.
Hence, the graph is always concave up: \(\displaystyle \,\cup\)
Therefore, the stationary point \(\displaystyle (0,0)\) is a minimum.


A more primitive approach . . .

At \(\displaystyle x = 0\), the derivative is 0 . . . the slope is 0.

To the left at, say, \(\displaystyle x\,=\,-1:\;y'\,=\.-2\) . . . the graph is decreasing: \(\displaystyle \,\searrow\)

To the right at, say, \(\displaystyle x\,=\,1:\;y'\,=\,+2\) . . . the graph is increasing: \(\displaystyle \,\nearrow\)


Near \(\displaystyle x\,=\,0\), the graph looks like this: \(\displaystyle \,\searrow\,_{\rightarrow}\,\nearrow\)

Therefore, the stationary point must be a minimum.
 
That makes sense

I forgot the 2nd derivative test.

However, thank you for reminding me.
 
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