Find the Critical Points y=x^3-7x^2-5x+8
The question is asking to compute the critical points of the function y=x^3-7x^2-5x+8. Critical points are values of x at which the first derivative of the function is either zero or undefined. They are important because they provide information about where the function's graph has horizontal tangents, and they can indicate locations of relative maxima, minima, or points of inflection. The task is to find all x-values that satisfy the condition of making the derivative of the function equal to zero or undefined.
Determine the first derivative of the function.
Calculate the derivative of the function.
Perform differentiation.
Utilize the Sum Rule for differentiation, which implies the derivative of
Apply the Power Rule, stating that the derivative of
Compute the derivative of
Recognize that
Differentiate
Multiply
Compute the derivative of
Since
Differentiate
Multiply
Differentiate the constant term using the Constant Rule.
The derivative of a constant like
Combine the terms to obtain the first derivative:
The first derivative of
Solve for
Set the first derivative to zero.
Factor the quadratic equation.
For a quadratic
Factor out
Decompose
Apply the distributive property to split the middle term.
Multiply
Group terms and factor out the greatest common factor from each group.
Group the terms into two pairs.
Factor the greatest common factor from each pair.
Factor the expression by extracting the common factor
Set each factor equal to zero.
Solve
Set the first factor equal to zero.
Isolate
Subtract
Divide by
Divide each term by
Simplify the equation.
Cancel common factors.
Reduce the fraction.
Solve for
Simplify the right side.
Solve
Set the second factor equal to zero.
Add
The solutions are
Check for points where the derivative does not exist. There are none in this case.
Evaluate the original function at the critical points.
Evaluate at
Substitute
Simplify the expression.
Evaluate at
Substitute
Simplify the expression.
Compile all critical points:
The critical points of the function
Derivative: The derivative of a function at a point is the rate at which the function's value changes at that point. It is a fundamental tool in calculus for analyzing the behavior of functions.
Sum Rule: This rule states that the derivative of a sum of functions is the sum of the derivatives of those functions.
Power Rule: A basic differentiation rule that states if
Constant Multiple Rule: If
Constant Rule: The derivative of a constant is zero.
Factoring: A method used to simplify expressions and solve equations by expressing a polynomial as the product of its factors.
Quadratic Equations: Equations of the form
Critical Points: Points on a graph where the derivative is zero or undefined. These points can indicate local maxima, minima, or points of inflection.