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Condider that $f''$ has a double root, what can be concluded of $f$? I mean is there any clue of how it acts on that particular point? Does it always happen at maximum or minimum?

2 Answers2

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Not always, Let f"=12x^2 so f =x^4 +cx+d, as you can see f" has a double root in x=0, but f has a minimum or maximum in x=0 if c=0

PeXa
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The fact that the root is repeated is not so important as the fact that $f''$ vanishes there. In that case, provided $f''(x+\mathrm dx)$ changes sign according as $\mathrm dx\ne 0$ changes sign across the vanishing point, then we conclude that there is a point of inflexion of $f$ there -- that is, a swap in concavity.

Allawonder
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