Chapter 4: Problem 67
Find a cubic function \(f(x)=a x^{3}+b x^{2}+c x+d\) that has a local maximum value of 3 at \(-2\) and a local minimum value of 0 at 1 .
Short Answer
Expert verified
The cubic function is \(f(x) = x^3 - 2x^2 - 4x + 5\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand Critical Points
The function has a local maximum at \(x = -2\) with the value 3 and a local minimum at \(x = 1\) with the value 0. Therefore, our function \(f(x)\) satisfies \(f(-2) = 3\) and \(f(1) = 0\). Also, at these critical points, the derivative \(f'(x)\) should be zero: \(f'(-2) = 0\) and \(f'(1) = 0\).
02
Derivative of the Function
The derivative \(f'(x)\) of the function \(f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d\) is \(f'(x) = 3ax^2 + 2bx + c\). At the critical points \(x = -2\) and \(x = 1\), we have \(f'(-2) = 0\) and \(f'(1) = 0\).
03
Solve for Coefficients Using Critical Point Conditions
Substitute \(x = -2\) and \(x = 1\) into \(f'(x)\):1. \(f'(-2) = 3a(-2)^2 + 2b(-2) + c = 12a - 4b + c = 0\).2. \(f'(1) = 3a(1)^2 + 2b(1) + c = 3a + 2b + c = 0\).
04
Use Function Value Conditions
Plug \(x = -2\) and \(x = 1\) into the original function \(f(x)\):1. \(f(-2) = a(-2)^3 + b(-2)^2 + c(-2) + d = -8a + 4b - 2c + d = 3\).2. \(f(1) = a(1)^3 + b(1)^2 + c(1) + d = a + b + c + d = 0\).
05
Solve System of Equations
Solve the system of 4 equations derived from these conditions:1. \(12a - 4b + c = 0\)2. \(3a + 2b + c = 0\)3. \(-8a + 4b - 2c + d = 3\)4. \(a + b + c + d = 0\).By solving these, we derive: \(a = 1\), \(b = -2\), \(c = -4\), and \(d = 5\).
06
Final Function
Construct the cubic function using the coefficients:The cubic function is \(f(x) = x^3 - 2x^2 - 4x + 5\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Local Maximum
In the realm of calculus, a local maximum is a spot on a graph where the function reaches its highest value in a certain interval. Think of it as a peak or a hilltop where, locally, no neighboring points have a higher value. For a function like a cubic function, \(f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d\), finding a local maximum helps us understand where the function briefly "tops out" before dipping or changing direction.
- If at \(x = a\), the function \(f(a)\) is larger than \(f(x)\) for all nearby x-values, then \(f(x)\) has a local maximum at \(x = a\).
- To pinpoint this, the derivative \(f'(x)\), should equal zero at \(x = a\) because the slope flattens at the peak.
Local Minimum
While a local maximum describes the highest point locally, a local minimum is the lowest point in its vicinity. It's where the function dips to a trough or a valley. For a cubic function, understanding this point is essential as it shows where the function is at its lowest before potentially rising again.
- At a local minimum, say \(x = b\), the function \(f(b)\) has a value less than \(f(x)\) for nearby x-values.
- Just like the local maximum, the derivative \(f'(x)\) equals zero at this point because the slope changes direction from negative to positive.
Critical Points
Critical points are special values of x where a function's derivative is zero or undefined. For a cubic function like \(f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d\), these are the points we closely examine to identify local maxima or minima.
- At these points, \(f'(x)\) equals zero, signaling a change in the graph's slope direction.
- Contrast them to inflection points, which are broader turning points, while critical points specifically hint Peaks or valleys.
Derivative
The derivative of a function gives us the slope of the function at any point. It’s essentially the function’s rate of change. For a cubic function, the derivative is crucial in finding out where the function increases or decreases.
- For \(f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d\), the derivative is \(f'(x) = 3ax^2 + 2bx + c\).
- This derivative helps find critical points, thus identifying local maximum and minimum.
System of Equations
A system of equations is a set of simultaneous equations that are solved together. In a problem involving a cubic function, we use a system of equations to determine the unknown coefficients that define the function.
- These equations often arise from conditions such as known function values (i.e., local maxima/minima) and derivative settings.
- Solving these systems reveals coefficients a, b, c, and d by balancing these conditions.