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 Integrals3h 25m
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Concavity
Problem 76
Textbook Question
Concavity Determine the intervals on which the following functions are concave up or concave down. Identify any inflection points.
f(x) = 2x⁴ + 8x³ + 12x² - x - 2
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1
First, find the second derivative of the function f(x) = 2x⁴ + 8x³ + 12x² - x - 2. This involves taking the first derivative f'(x) and then differentiating it again to get f''(x).
Next, set the second derivative f''(x) equal to zero to find the critical points. These points are where the concavity may change, so solving f''(x) = 0 will help identify potential inflection points.
Determine the sign of the second derivative f''(x) in the intervals created by the critical points found in the previous step. You can choose test points from each interval to see if f''(x) is positive (concave up) or negative (concave down).
Compile the results from the sign test to identify the intervals where the function is concave up and concave down. Clearly state which intervals correspond to each concavity.
Finally, list the inflection points, which are the x-values where the concavity changes, corresponding to the critical points found in step 2.
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