Chapter 4: Problem 36
25-40 Find the critical numbers of the function. $$g(\theta)=4 \theta-\tan \theta$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Critical numbers are the angles where \(\cos\theta = \pm \frac{1}{2}\): \(\theta = \pm\frac{\pi}{3} + 2k\pi\) and \(\theta = \pm\frac{2\pi}{3} + 2k\pi\) for integers \(k\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the Derivative
To find the critical numbers, we first need the derivative of the function. Given the function \(g(\theta) = 4\theta - \tan\theta\), the derivative is found by differentiating each term. The derivative of \(4\theta\) is \(4\), and the derivative of \(-\tan\theta\) is \(-\sec^2\theta\). Thus, the derivative is \(g'(\theta) = 4 - \sec^2\theta\).
02
Set the Derivative to Zero
Critical numbers occur where the derivative is either zero or undefined. First, set \(g'(\theta) = 4 - \sec^2\theta = 0\). This simplifies to \(4 = \sec^2\theta\) or \(\sec^2\theta = 4\).
03
Solve for \(\theta\)
From \(\sec^2\theta = 4\), note that \(\sec\theta = \pm 2\). Since \(\sec\theta = \frac{1}{\cos\theta}\), it follows that \(\cos\theta = \pm \frac{1}{2}\). The angles satisfying \(\cos\theta = \frac{1}{2}\) are \(\theta = \frac{\pi}{3} + 2k\pi\) and \(\theta = -\frac{\pi}{3} + 2k\pi\), where \(k\) is any integer. For \(\cos\theta = -\frac{1}{2}\), the angles are \(\theta = \frac{2\pi}{3} + 2k\pi\) and \(\theta = -\frac{2\pi}{3} + 2k\pi\).
04
Check where \(g'(\theta)\) is undefined
\(g'(\theta)\) is undefined wherever \(\sec^2\theta = \infty\), which happens when \(\cos\theta = 0\). This occurs at odd multiples of \(\frac{\pi}{2}\), i.e., \(\theta = (2k + 1)\frac{\pi}{2}\) for integer \(k\). However, these values do not lead to finite critical numbers, as the function is not defined there.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivative
A derivative tells us how a function changes as its input changes. It's like the slope of a curve at a specific point, showing us the steepness or angle. To find the critical numbers of a function like \(g(\theta) = 4\theta - \tan\theta\), we need its derivative.
- The derivative of \(4\theta\) is \(4\).
- The derivative of \(-\tan\theta\) is \(-\sec^2\theta\).
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions like tangent and secant are periodic and have interesting properties. In our exercise, we encounter both \(\tan\theta\) and \(\sec\theta\).
- \(\tan\theta\) is the ratio of \(\sin\theta\) to \(\cos\theta\).
- \(\sec^2\theta\) is the square of \(\frac{1}{\cos\theta}\).
Undefined Derivative
A derivative can become undefined if the slope of the curve becomes vertical or if the function itself isn't defined for a certain value. In our case, the derivative \[g'(\theta) = 4 - \sec^2\theta\] becomes undefined when \(\sec^2\theta\) approaches infinity. This occurs if
- \(\cos\theta = 0\)
- This happens at odd multiples of \(\frac{\pi}{2}\)
Critical Points
Critical points are where a function's derivative is either zero or doesn't exist. Finding these points helps us understand the behavior of the function, like where it is increasing or decreasing.For \(g(\theta)\), we need
- Solutions to \(g'(\theta) = 0\)
- Where the derivative is undefined