Chapter 2.

3
Higher-Order
Derivatives
The 2nd Order Derivative
Consider a differentiable function defined by

y = f (x),

then the 2nd order derivative of f with respect

to x, denoted by
d2y
2
, Dx2 [f (x)], y 00 or f 00
dx
is the function derived by differentiating f 0, as-
suming f 0 is differentiable.
 Example 2.3.1
If f (x) = x3 + 3x2 − x + 3, find and interpret f 00.
Solution:

f 0(x) = 3x2 + 6x − 1

f 00(x) = 6x + 6
Geometrically, we can interpret f 00 as the slope
of the tangent line to the curve y = f 0(x) at the
point (x, f 0(x)). In other words, it is the rate of
change of the slope of the original curve y = f (x).
The 2nd order derivative is the rate of change of
a rate of change.
 Example 2.3.2

An efficiency study of the morning shift at NIS

electronic factory shows that an average worker
who arrives on the job at 9:00 AM will have pro-
duced
Q(t) = −t3 + 6t2 + 24t
after t hours.
1
Compute the worker’s rate of production at
12:00 noon.
 Q(t) = −t3 + 6t2 + 24t
Solution:
The worker’s rate of production at any time t is
the first derivative Q0 given by
Q0(t) = −3t2 + 12t + 24.
Therefore, the rate of production at 12:00 noon,
that is, after 3 hours is
Q0(3) = −3(3)2 + 12(3) + 24 = 33
units per hour.
2
At what rate is the worker’s rate of
production changing with respect to time at
12:00 noon?
Solution:

Q0(t) = −3t2 + 12t + 24

The rate of change of the rate of production
is the second derivative Q00 given by

Q00(t) = −6t + 12.

 Q00(t) = −6t + 12
At 12:00 noon, this rate is

Q00(3) = −6(3) + 12 = −6

units per hour per hour.

The minus sign indicates that the worker’s rate
of production is decreasing; that is, the worker
is slowing down. The rate of this decrease in
efficiency at 12:00 noon is 6 units per hour.
If the function s(t) gives the position of the ob-
ject at time t with respect to a reference point,
then the rate of change of s(t) per unit change
in t is its velocity denoted by v(t) and the rate
change of velocity is its acceleration denoted by
a(t). That is, v(t) = s0(t) and a(t) = v 0(t).
 Example 2.3.3
Suppose s defined by s(t) = t2 + 2t + 6 is the
position of a car moving along a straight line at
time t in minutes.
1
Find the velocity and acceleration of the car.
Solution:

ds
v(t) = s0(t) = = 2t + 2
dt
0 d2s
a(t) = v (t) = 2 = 2
dt
 ds
v(t) = = 2t + 2
dt

2
Will the car ever stop?
Solution:
Find values/s of t such that v(t) = 0.

v(t) = 2t + 2 = 0 t = −1

Since there is no such negative time, then

the car will never stop.
 0 d2s
a(t) = v (t) = 2 = 2
dt

3
When is the car at constant velocity?
Solution:
Find value/s of t such that a(t) = 0. Since
at any time t the acceleration is constant
which is 2, the car will not have a constant
velocity at any time.
End of Chapter 2.3