- 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
Curve Sketching
Problem 4.4.78a
Textbook Question
{Use of Tech} Elliptic curves The equation y² = x³ - ax + 3, where a is a parameter, defines a well-known family of elliptic curves.
a. Plot a graph of the curve when a = 3.

1
Step 1: Understand the equation of the elliptic curve given by y² = x³ - ax + 3. For this problem, we are asked to consider the case when a = 3, so the equation becomes y² = x³ - 3x + 3.
Step 2: Identify the range of x-values you want to consider for plotting the graph. A good starting point is to choose a symmetric range around zero, such as x ∈ [-3, 3], to capture the behavior of the curve.
Step 3: Calculate the corresponding y-values for each x-value in your chosen range. Since the equation is y² = x³ - 3x + 3, for each x, compute y = ±√(x³ - 3x + 3). Note that you will have two y-values for each x-value, corresponding to the positive and negative square roots.
Step 4: Plot the points (x, y) on a coordinate plane. For each x-value, plot both (x, √(x³ - 3x + 3)) and (x, -√(x³ - 3x + 3)). This will give you the shape of the elliptic curve.
Step 5: Connect the plotted points smoothly to visualize the elliptic curve. The resulting graph should show a symmetric curve with respect to the x-axis, characteristic of elliptic curves.
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