To warm yourselves up for the graphing assignment,click on the link below.  It is an applet where you can practice graphing derivatives from the graphs of functions.  Don't rush through it.  Take the time to jot down your thoughts before you check your answer.  After using the applet for at least 10 functions, answer the following questions.

Don't forget to use the uphill/downhill analysis, bowl analysis, and shape predictions !!

     1.)  On the graph of a derivative, we see zeroes (on the x-axis) where the original graph has a max or min.  You will see some zeroes in this applet that do not represent max or min.  What do you think they represent?  How can you tell the difference between the "max-min zeroes" and these impostors??

     2.)  Remember "bowl up" or "bowl down"?  That is technically called concavity.  When a graph is "bowl up" or concave up, its derivative graph will always be going in which direction? Is the inverse of that true?

     3.)  In your own words, describe where points of inflection occur on the original graph.  What are the ways to show a point of inflection on a derivative graph? (Hint:  See problem 1.)

Derivative Graphs - Practice Applet