CRITICALPOINT

Critical point

In mathematics, a critical point or stationary point of a differentiable function of a real or complex variable is any value in its domain where its derivative is 0. For a differentiable function of several real variables, a critical point is a value in its domain where all partial derivatives are zero. The value of the function at a critical point is a critical value.

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critical point

Noun

  1. The temperature and pressure at which the vapour density of the gas and liquid phases of a fluid are equal, at which point there is no difference between gas and liquid.
  2. A maximum, minimum or point of inflection on a curve; a point at which the derivative of a function is zero or undefined.
  3. A juncture at which time a critical decision must be made.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: critical point
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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