Chapter 3: Problem 56
A function \(f(x)\) is given. Find the \(x\) values where \(f^{\prime}(x)\) has a relative maximum or minimum. \(f(x)=e^{-x^{2}}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The derivative \(f'(x)\) has a relative maximum at \(x = 0\).
Step by step solution
01
Differentiate the Function
First, find the derivative of the function \(f(x) = e^{-x^2}\). Using the chain rule, we differentiate **\(e^{u}\)** where **\(u = -x^2\)**: \( f'(x) = e^{-x^2} \cdot (-2x) = -2xe^{-x^2} \).
02
Find Critical Points
Set the first derivative \(f'(x) = -2xe^{-x^2}\) equal to zero to find the critical points. Since \(e^{-x^2}\) is never zero, solve \(-2x = 0\), which gives **\(x = 0\)**.
03
Determine the Second Derivative
Find the second derivative, \(f''(x)\), to use the second derivative test. Differentiate \(f'(x) = -2xe^{-x^2}\) using the product rule: \[f''(x) = -2e^{-x^2} + 4x^2e^{-x^2} = 2x(2x - 1)e^{-x^2}\].
04
Evaluate the Second Derivative at Critical Points
Substitute the critical point \(x = 0\) into the second derivative to apply the second derivative test: \(f''(0) = 2 \cdot 0 \cdot (2 \cdot 0 - 1)e^{-0} = -2\).Since \(f''(0) < 0\), \(f(x)\) has a local maximum at \(x = 0\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Chain Rule in Differentiation
The chain rule is a powerful technique in calculus used for finding the derivative of composite functions. A composite function means a function within another function, often noted as \( f(g(x)) \). In our original exercise, we had to differentiate \( f(x) = e^{-x^2} \), which is a good example of a composite function. Here, \( e^{u} \) is the outer function and \( u = -x^2 \) is the inner function.
To differentiate this, the chain rule tells us to:
To differentiate this, the chain rule tells us to:
- Find the derivative of the outer function, leaving the inner function unaltered. For \( e^{u} \), the derivative is \( e^{u} \).
- Then, multiply by the derivative of the inner function, \( u = -x^2 \) in this case. The derivative here is \(-2x\).
Second Derivative Test for Critical Points
The second derivative test is a method to determine whether a function has a local maximum or a local minimum at its critical points. A critical point occurs where the first derivative of the function is zero or undefined.
Once we find the critical points, we apply the second derivative test:
Once we find the critical points, we apply the second derivative test:
- Calculate the second derivative of the function.
- Evaluate it at the critical points found from the first derivative.
- If the second derivative is positive (\( f''(x) > 0 \)), the function has a local minimum at that point.
- If the second derivative is negative (\( f''(x) < 0 \)), the function has a local maximum.
Understanding Differentiation
Differentiation is the process of finding the derivative of a function, which gives us the rate at which the function value is changing at any point. This is a central concept in calculus.
The derivative, noted as \( f'(x) \), can provide us:
The derivative, noted as \( f'(x) \), can provide us:
- The slope of the tangent to the graph of the function at any given point.
- Information on increasing or decreasing behavior of functions.
- Critical points where the derivative is zero or undefined, indicating potential local maxima or minima.
Local Maximum in Function Analysis
A local maximum refers to a point on the graph of a function where the function value is higher than at neighboring points. This is distinct from a global maximum, where the function would be highest across its entire domain.
To determine a local maximum:
To determine a local maximum:
- Identify critical points using the first derivative test, which involves setting the derivative equal to zero.
- Use the second derivative test to classify these points further.
- At a local maximum, the slope changes from positive to negative.