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'Turning to Calculus' printed from https://nrich.maths.org/
The following curve turns once. It changes sign twice and the sign
of its gradient changes once, giving rise to four distinct regions,
as shown in the image below:
What are the different possibilities of sign combination for a
curve which turns exactly once? How can you be sure you have found
them all? Give a clear explanation.
Which are the different possibilities of sign combination for a
curve which turns exactly twice? How can you be sure you have found
them all? Give a clear explanation.
Explore other numbers of turns and the curves which give rise to
various numbers of regions.
It is not intended that you use
algebra; simply experiment with sketches and focus on clear
mathematical reasoning.
Further
extensions:
Once you have a good feel for the
setup, you might wish to think about these more tricky or general
questions:
1. Are there any curves which
always have the same sign for the function and gradient?
2. Are there any curves which
always have the opposite sign for the function and gradient?
3. Are there any impossible
combinations of sign?
4. How do zeros of the function
and zeros of the gradient enter into the analysis?
5. Find algebraic expressions
for any functions you use in this problem.