Problem

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.

y=x37x25x+8

Answer

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Solution:

Step:1

Determine the first derivative of the function.

Step:1.1

Calculate the derivative of the function.

Step:1.1.1

Perform differentiation.

Step:1.1.1.1

Utilize the Sum Rule for differentiation, which implies the derivative of x37x25x+8 is the sum of the derivatives of each term: ddx[x3]+ddx[7x2]+ddx[5x]+ddx[8].

Step:1.1.1.2

Apply the Power Rule, stating that the derivative of xn is nxn1, where n=3. Thus, the derivative becomes 3x2+ddx[7x2]+ddx[5x]+ddx[8].

Step:1.1.2

Compute the derivative of 7x2.

Step:1.1.2.1

Recognize that 7 is a constant and use the constant multiple rule to find the derivative, which is 7ddx[x2].

Step:1.1.2.2

Differentiate x2 using the Power Rule where n=2, resulting in 3x27(2x)+ddx[5x]+ddx[8].

Step:1.1.2.3

Multiply 2 by 7, simplifying the expression to 3x214x+ddx[5x]+ddx[8].

Step:1.1.3

Compute the derivative of 5x.

Step:1.1.3.1

Since 5 is a constant, apply the constant multiple rule to find the derivative, which is 5ddx[x].

Step:1.1.3.2

Differentiate x using the Power Rule where n=1, leading to 3x214x5+ddx[8].

Step:1.1.3.3

Multiply 5 by 1, simplifying the expression further to 3x214x5+ddx[8].

Step:1.1.4

Differentiate the constant term using the Constant Rule.

Step:1.1.4.1

The derivative of a constant like 8 is 0.

Step:1.1.4.2

Combine the terms to obtain the first derivative: f(x)=3x214x5.

Step:1.2

The first derivative of f(x) is f(x)=3x214x5.

Step:2

Solve for x when the first derivative is zero: 3x214x5=0.

Step:2.1

Set the first derivative to zero.

Step:2.2

Factor the quadratic equation.

Step:2.2.1

For a quadratic ax2+bx+c, find two numbers that multiply to ac and add to b. Here, ac=3(5)=15 and b=14.

Step:2.2.1.1

Factor out 14x.

Step:2.2.1.2

Decompose 14x into two terms that add up to 14x and multiply to 15.

Step:2.2.1.3

Apply the distributive property to split the middle term.

Step:2.2.1.4

Multiply x by 1.

Step:2.2.2

Group terms and factor out the greatest common factor from each group.

Step:2.2.2.1

Group the terms into two pairs.

Step:2.2.2.2

Factor the greatest common factor from each pair.

Step:2.2.3

Factor the expression by extracting the common factor 3x+1.

Step:2.3

Set each factor equal to zero.

Step:2.4

Solve 3x+1=0 for x.

Step:2.4.1

Set the first factor equal to zero.

Step:2.4.2

Isolate x.

Step:2.4.2.1

Subtract 1 from both sides.

Step:2.4.2.2

Divide by 3.

Step:2.4.2.2.1

Divide each term by 3.

Step:2.4.2.2.2

Simplify the equation.

Step:2.4.2.2.2.1

Cancel common factors.

Step:2.4.2.2.2.1.1

Reduce the fraction.

Step:2.4.2.2.2.1.2

Solve for x.

Step:2.4.2.2.3

Simplify the right side.

Step:2.5

Solve x5=0 for x.

Step:2.5.1

Set the second factor equal to zero.

Step:2.5.2

Add 5 to both sides.

Step:2.6

The solutions are x=13 and x=5.

Step:3

Check for points where the derivative does not exist. There are none in this case.

Step:4

Evaluate the original function at the critical points.

Step:4.1

Evaluate at x=13.

Step:4.1.1

Substitute x with 13 in the original function.

Step:4.1.2

Simplify the expression.

Step:4.2

Evaluate at x=5.

Step:4.2.1

Substitute x with 5 in the original function.

Step:4.2.2

Simplify the expression.

Step:4.3

Compile all critical points: (13,23927) and (5,67).

Step:5

The critical points of the function y=x37x25x+8 are at x=13 and x=5.

Knowledge Notes:

  1. 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.

  2. Sum Rule: This rule states that the derivative of a sum of functions is the sum of the derivatives of those functions.

  3. Power Rule: A basic differentiation rule that states if f(x)=xn, then f(x)=nxn1.

  4. Constant Multiple Rule: If c is a constant and f(x) is a function, then the derivative of cf(x) is cf(x).

  5. Constant Rule: The derivative of a constant is zero.

  6. Factoring: A method used to simplify expressions and solve equations by expressing a polynomial as the product of its factors.

  7. Quadratic Equations: Equations of the form ax2+bx+c=0, where a, b, and c are constants, can be solved by factoring, completing the square, or using the quadratic formula.

  8. Critical Points: Points on a graph where the derivative is zero or undefined. These points can indicate local maxima, minima, or points of inflection.

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