Chapter 4: Problem 56
Find formulas for the functions described. A function of the form \(y=a e^{-x}+b x\) with the global minimum at (1,2).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function is \( y = e^{1-x} + x \).
Step by step solution
01
Set up the function
The function is given as \( y = a e^{-x} + b x \). We need to find the constants \( a \) and \( b \) such that it has a global minimum at the point \( (1, 2) \). This means that when \( x = 1 \), \( y = 2 \) and the first derivative \( y' \) at \( x = 1 \) should be zero as it is a minimum point.
02
Compute the first derivative
To find the minimum, we calculate the first derivative of the function: \( y' = \frac{d}{dx}(a e^{-x} + b x) = -a e^{-x} + b \). Set this derivative equal to zero to find the critical points: \(-a e^{-1} + b = 0 \).
03
Solve for a and b using the minimum conditions
Use the condition \( -a e^{-1} + b = 0 \) to express \( b \) in terms of \( a \): \( b = a e^{-1} \). Next, use the condition \( y(1) = 2 \) to solve for \( a \) and \( b \): \( a e^{-1} + b \times 1 = 2 \). Substitute \( b = a e^{-1} \) into the equation: \( a e^{-1} + a e^{-1} = 2 \) which simplifies to \( 2a e^{-1} = 2 \).
04
Find the value of a
Solve for \( a \) in the equation \( 2a e^{-1} = 2 \): Multiply both sides by \( e \): \( 2a = 2e \) Divide both sides by 2: \( a = e \).
05
Find the value of b
Substitute \( a = e \) into \( b = a e^{-1} \): \( b = e e^{-1} = 1 \).
06
Formulate the final function
Having found \( a = e \) and \( b = 1 \), substitute these back into the original function expression: \( y = e e^{-x} + x \). Thus, the function is \( y = e^{1-x} + x \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Function Minimum
To determine where a function reaches its lowest point, we look for the *function minimum*. This is crucial in calculus as it helps us understand the behavior of the function. For the function given by \( y = a e^{-x} + b x \), the minimum point occurs at the global minimum (1,2).
- At this minimum, the function value \( y \) at \( x = 1 \) should be 2, matching precisely the stipulated minimum coordinates.
- The reasons behind using these specific values are to ascertain where the function stabilizes at its smallest output—hence, the global minimum.
Derivatives
In calculus, *derivatives* are fundamental as they measure how a function changes as its input changes, which is crucial for finding the minimum point. For the function provided, \( y = a e^{-x} + b x \), derivative calculation helps determine how the function increases or decreases for infinitesimally small changes in \( x \).
- To find the derivative, we use the rule for differentiating exponential and linear functions: \( y' = -a e^{-x} + b \).
- The derivative tells us about the slope of the tangent line to the function at any point \( x \).
Critical Points
In calculus, *critical points* are the points on the graph of a function where the derivative is zero or undefined. They are significant because they are potential locations of local maxims and minims of the function.
- By solving the equation \( -a e^{-1} + b = 0 \), derived from setting the first derivative to zero, we identify critical points that might hold a minimum.
- The condition \( y(1) = 2 \) also verified at these critical points ensures the global minimum actually occurs at \( (1,2) \).