The second-derivative test states that if $x$ is a real number such that $f'(x)=0$, then:
- If $f''(x)>0$, then $f$ has a local minimum at $x$.
- If $f''(x)<0$, then $f$ has a local maximum at $x$.
- If $f''(x)=0$, then the text is inconclusive.
I’m wondering whether non-standard analysis, involving the hyperreal numbers, allows for a more powerful version of the second-derivative test, one that has fewer or no inconclusive cases. In terms of nonstandard analysis, the second derivative of $f$ is defined as the standard part of $\frac{f’(x+\epsilon)-f’(x)}{\epsilon}$ for any infinitesimal $\epsilon$. But what if we omit the bit about the standard part? Fixing some infinitesimal $\epsilon$, let $g(x)=\frac{f’(x+\epsilon)-f’(x)}{\epsilon}$.
Then can we define a more powerful second derivative test as follows?
- If $g(x)>0$, then $f$ has a local minimum at $x$.
- If $g(x)<0$, then $f$ has a local maximum at $x$.
- If $g(x)=0$, then the text is inconclusive.
Is this valid, and would this test apply to a greater class of functions than the regular second derivative test?
Let's take 1:
If $\frac{f’(x+\epsilon)-f’(x)}{\epsilon} > 0$ then $f$ has a local minimum at $x$.
False in general.1
This one works:
If $\frac{f’(x+\epsilon)-f’(x)}{\epsilon} > 0$ for all positive infinitesmial $\epsilon$, then $f$ has a local minimum at $x$.
But (by the transfer principle) that is the same as this one, using only ordinary real numbers $\epsilon$:
If $\frac{f’(x+\epsilon)-f’(x)}{\epsilon} > 0$ for all sufficiently small positive real $\epsilon$, then $f$ has a local minimum at $x$.