Calculus 10th Edition

Published by Brooks Cole
ISBN 10: 1-28505-709-0
ISBN 13: 978-1-28505-709-5

Chapter 3 - Applications of Differentiation - 3.4 Exercises - Page 194: 77

Answer

The statement is FALSE.

Work Step by Step

The algebraic sign (either positive or negative) of $f'(x)$ does not determine the concavity of $f(x)$. It is the algebraic sign of $f''(x)$ that determines that. You can, however, determine the concavity of $f(x)$ by looking at the graph of $f'(x)$ and seeing when it is increasing or decreasing but that information is not given so this statement is FALSE. Look at the graph below where the graph of $f(x)$ is in RED and the graph of $f'(x)$ is in BLUE. You can see how at x = -1 the graph of $f'(x)$ is positive but $f(x)$ is still concave down.
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