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Unit 9: Parametric Equations, Polar Coordinates, and Vector-Valued Functions

Second Derivatives of Parametric Equations

Compute the second derivative of a parametric curve by differentiating dy/dx with respect to t and dividing by dx/dt, then use it to decide concavity.

Topic 9.2 · 5 min read

This lesson comes with the AP Calculus BC plan

In this lesson

  1. 01Differentiating with respect to x when everything is in t
  2. 02Concavity from the second derivative
  3. 03Worked examples
  4. 04Where students lose points
  5. 05On the exam

The first units’ lessons are free. The plan opens every lesson, every practice question with worked solutions, your study plan and calendar, for $14.49 a month. Cancel any time.

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