Stationary point

A stationary point is a point where the derivative of a function is zero. In other words, it is a point where the gradient of the graph of the function is zero.

Types of stationary points

• local minimum - a point where the function is lower than the points either side of it
• local maximum - a point where the function is higher than the points either side of it
• point of inflection - a point where the function flattens out, but then continues to increase or decrease - the same as it was before.

Finding stationary points

We find them using the derivative. stationary points from derivative.