Chapter 4: Problem 58
Multiple Choice If \(f(0)=f^{\prime}(0)=f^{n}(0)=0,\) which of the following must be true? \(\mathrm (A) There is a local maximum of \)f\( at the origin. (B) There is a local minimum of \)f\( at the origin. (C) There is no local extremum of \)f\( at the origin. (D) There is a point of inflection of the graph of \)f\( at the origin. (E) There is a horizontal tangent to the graph of \)f$ at the origin.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Statement Analysis
Understanding Derivatives
Using The Derivative Information
Final Conclusion
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Derivatives
- The first derivative, often denoted as \( f'(x) \), tells us whether the function is increasing or decreasing.
- If \( f'(x) = 0 \), this indicates a potential horizontal tangent, meaning the graph could have a stationary point there.
- Higher-order derivatives, such as the second derivative \( f''(x) \), provide information about the curvature of the graph.
Local Extrema
- A local maximum is a point \( x=a \) where the function value \( f(a) \) is greater than any function values in some small neighborhood around \( a \).
- A local minimum is a point \( x=b \) where \( f(b) \) is less than any function values in a small neighborhood around \( b \).
- Find where the first derivative \( f'(x) = 0 \) or is undefined, known as critical points.
- Use the second derivative test, where \( f''(x) > 0 \) indicates a local minimum, and \( f''(x) < 0 \) indicates a local maximum.
Inflection Points
- At an inflection point, the second derivative of the function \( f''(x) \) is zero. However, just because \( f''(x) = 0 \) does not guarantee an inflection point.
- For a true inflection point, \( f''(x) \) must change sign. This means if the function was previously concave up (\( f''(x) > 0 \)) it should switch to concave down (\( f''(x) < 0 \)), or the opposite.
Horizontal Tangents
- A horizontal tangent indicates a potential maximum or minimum, as the function temporarily "flattens" out at the tangent point.
- However, a horizontal tangent could also be found at an inflection point, where the function changes its concavity without being an extremum.