Chapter 3: Problem 14
For each function: a. Make a sign diagram for the first derivative. b. Make a sign diagram for the second derivative. c. Sketch the graph by hand, showing all relative extreme points and inflection points. $$ f(x)=2 x^{4}-8 x^{3}+30 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function has a local minimum at \(x = 3\) and an inflection point at \(x = 2\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the first derivative
To understand the behavior of the function, we first need to find its first derivative. The first derivative of a function gives us information about its increasing or decreasing behavior. The given function is \(f(x) = 2x^4 - 8x^3 + 30\). Applying the power rule, the first derivative is:\[f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(2x^4) - \frac{d}{dx}(8x^3) + \frac{d}{dx}(30) = 8x^3 - 24x^2.\]
02
Solve for critical points
Critical points occur when the derivative is zero or undefined. Here, solve for the critical points by setting \(f'(x) = 0\):\[8x^3 - 24x^2 = 0.\]Factor out the greatest common factor:\[8x^2(x - 3) = 0.\]Solving this gives \(x = 0\) or \(x = 3\). These are the critical points.
03
Create the sign diagram for the first derivative
To create a sign diagram for \(f'(x) = 8x^3 - 24x^2\), test intervals around the critical points to determine where the function is increasing or decreasing:- Choose \(x = -1\): \(f'(-1) = 8(-1)^3 - 24(-1)^2 = -8 - 24 = -32\) (negative).- Choose \(x = 1\): \(f'(1) = 8(1)^3 - 24(1)^2 = 8 - 24 = -16\) (negative).- Choose \(x = 4\): \(f'(4) = 8(4)^3 - 24(4)^2 = 512 - 384 = 128\) (positive).From the sign diagram, \(f'(x)\) is negative to the left of \(x = 3\) and positive to the right, indicating a local minimum at \(x = 3\).
04
Find the second derivative
The second derivative provides information about concavity and inflection points. Differentiate \(f'(x) = 8x^3 - 24x^2\) to find \(f''(x)\):\[f''(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(8x^3) - \frac{d}{dx}(24x^2) = 24x^2 - 48x.\]
05
Solve for points of inflection
Set \(f''(x)\) equal to zero and solve for inflection points:\[24x^2 - 48x = 0.\]Factor out \(24x\):\[24x(x - 2) = 0.\]This gives \(x = 0\) and \(x = 2\) as potential inflection points.
06
Create the sign diagram for the second derivative
Analyze the intervals between inflection point candidates to understand where the function is concave up or down:- Choose \(x = 1\): \(f''(1) = 24(1)^2 - 48(1) = 24 - 48 = -24\) (concave down).- Choose \(x = 3\): \(f''(3) = 24(3)^2 - 48(3) = 216 - 144 = 72\) (concave up).The sign graph indicates a change of concavity at \(x = 2\), confirming it as a point of inflection.
07
Sketch the function graph with important features
Using insights from steps above: - The function decreases until \(x = 3\), then starts increasing (local minimum at \(x = 3\)).- There is a point of inflection at \(x = 2\) where the function changes from concave down to concave up.- Sketch a smooth curve that reflects these behaviors, marking points at critical and inflection points.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
First Derivative
The first derivative of a function is used to determine the function's increasing or decreasing behavior. It provides vital insights into the slope of the tangent line at any point of the function. By differentiating a given function, you can identify such attributes. For instance, in the function \(f(x) = 2x^4 - 8x^3 + 30\), you can find the first derivative by applying the power rule to each term: \[f'(x) = 8x^3 - 24x^2\].
- The intervals where \(f'(x) > 0\) indicate that the function is increasing.
- The intervals where \(f'(x) < 0\) indicate that the function is decreasing.
Second Derivative
The second derivative plays a crucial role in understanding the concavity of a function and identifying inflection points. It is the derivative of the first derivative, and helps reveal changes in the function's curvature. For the function given, the second derivative is\[f''(x) = 24x^2 - 48x\].
- If \(f''(x) > 0\), the function is concave up, resembling a smile.
- If \(f''(x) < 0\), the function is concave down, resembling a frown.
Critical Points
Critical points are where a function transitions in its increase or decrease, marked by the first derivative being zero or undefined. Solving \(f'(x) = 0\) helps identify these points. For the function \(f(x) = 2x^4 - 8x^3 + 30\), setting \(8x^3 - 24x^2 = 0\) gave us critical points at \(x = 0\) and \(x = 3\). These critical points are where the function might exhibit local maxima, minima, or generate horizontal tangents.
- Analyzing the behavior of \(f'(x)\) around these points using test values provides insights about their nature (maxima/minima).
- For example, the function decreases to \(x = 3\) (where the first derivative changes from negative to positive) and indicates a local minimum there.
Inflection Points
Inflection points occur where a function changes its concavity, indicating a change from being concave up to concave down or vice versa. These points can be found by solving \(f''(x) = 0\). For the given function, \(24x^2 - 48x = 0\) yields potential inflection points at \(x = 0\) and \(x = 2\).
- To confirm actual inflection points, the sign of \(f''(x)\) is checked around these values.
- For instance, as \(f''(x)\) changes sign around \(x = 2\), this confirms \(x = 2\) as an inflection point where the function's concavity actually changes.