Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Concavity
Problem 13e
Textbook Question
Let ƒ(x) = (x - 3) (x + 3)²
e. Identify the local extreme values and inflection points of ƒ .

1
Step 1: Begin by finding the first derivative of the function ƒ(x) = (x - 3)(x + 3)²e. Use the product rule and chain rule to differentiate the function.
Step 2: Set the first derivative equal to zero to find the critical points. Solve the resulting equation to determine the x-values where the function may have local extreme values.
Step 3: Use the second derivative test to classify the critical points. Find the second derivative of ƒ(x) and evaluate it at each critical point to determine if they are local minima, maxima, or points of inflection.
Step 4: To find the inflection points, set the second derivative equal to zero and solve for x. These are the points where the concavity of the function changes.
Step 5: Verify the nature of each critical point and inflection point by analyzing the sign changes in the first and second derivatives around these points. This will confirm the local extreme values and inflection points of the function.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Local Extreme Values
Local extreme values refer to the highest or lowest points in a specific interval of a function. To find these values, we typically use the first derivative test, which involves finding the critical points where the first derivative is zero or undefined. Analyzing the sign of the derivative around these points helps determine whether they are local maxima or minima.
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Inflection Points
Inflection points are points on the graph of a function where the concavity changes, indicating a shift from concave up to concave down or vice versa. To identify inflection points, we examine the second derivative of the function. If the second derivative changes sign at a point, that point is classified as an inflection point.
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Critical Points
First and Second Derivatives
The first derivative of a function provides information about its slope and is essential for finding local extreme values. The second derivative, on the other hand, gives insight into the concavity of the function and is used to identify inflection points. Both derivatives are crucial tools in calculus for analyzing the behavior of functions.
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The Second Derivative Test: Finding Local Extrema
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