Deeper Derivatives

[sabrina]

i need help. why does one only use 2nd derivative to analyse functions, problems with critical points etc? can one use 3rd, 4th, 5th etc derivatives also for the same purpose? pl help

 

[tkhunny]

If you are looking for information provided by the higher-order derivatives, please use them. Generally, in first-, or second-year calculusm the applications are stressed. This tends to provide a large collection of applications using only two derivatives.

Just for the record, if your acceleration is not uniform, you'll need at least derivative #3, so it doesn't take much more depth of study before the higher-order derivatives can be SEEN as useful.

P.S. Please start new threads when you have new questions.