Second Derivative

The second derivative is the derivative of the first derivative, written $\frac{d^{2}y}{dx^{2}}$ or $f''(x)$. It measures how the gradient itself is changing.

At a stationary point, a negative second derivative indicates a maximum and a positive one indicates a minimum.

You meet Second Derivative in the Differentiation chapter of SPM Additional Mathematics. Knowing the term precisely matters in the exam: questions often hinge on reading a keyword correctly, and because SPM marking is analytic, using the right definition in your working helps secure method marks.

Our teachers make sure a student can not only recite what Second Derivative means but use it fluently in a full solution.

Because the SPM Add Math paper is bilingual (BM/EN), it helps to know this term in each language: Second Derivative (EN) · Terbitan Kedua (BM) · 二阶导数 (中文)

Other key terms from the Differentiation chapter you may want to check:

• Limit
• First Derivative
• Differentiation from First Principles
• Gradient Function
• Chain Rule
• Product Rule