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Question

If a function f(x) is concave at x = a, then f”(a) < 0.


A

True

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B

False

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Solution

The correct option is A

True


In the interval in which a function is concave, the value of the derivative f’(x) keeps on reducing. So we can say f”(x) will be less than zero.

One example would be y = - x2

The shape of this function is downward parabola. This is a typical example of a concave function. Here, as you can see from the graph, the slope of tangent reduces as x increases. Initially the slope of the tangent (f’(x) ) is positive when x is negative and slope becomes zero at x =0. For positive values of x, the slope is is negative. So we can say the slope or f’(x) decreases as x increases. So the derivative of f’(x) should be negative.

Any point on the x-axis would have f”(x) negative in case of concave function - x2


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