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Lee
Lee asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 6 years ago

What does it mean if a function is concave?

what does it actually mean if a function is concave or convex? what does that say about the function?

How would i explain this without using derivatives?

thank you

Update:

I'm aware of how to tell if a function is concave or convex both by looking at it and by using derivatives, What I'm asking is; what does this tell me about the function?

If a function is concave what is that saying as opposed to it being convex, what is the significance of that? I don't just want to know what it looks like

2 Answers

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  • Jim
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    Without derivatives: If rain drips off it's concave. If it collects, it's convex.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    Check the second derivative. If it is positive, then it is concave otherwise it is convex. If it is 0, then it is the point of inflection.

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