how to find the critical points of a function
Let's review. Critical points are points on a graph in which the slope changes sign (i.e. positive to negative). These points exist at the very top or bottom of 'humps' on a graph. We also know the slope of the tangent line at these points is always 0. We can use this to solve for the critical points. To find these critical points you must first take the derivative of the function. Second, set that derivative equal to 0 and solve for x. Each x value you find is known as a critical number. Third, plug each critical number into the original equation to obtain your y values.