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I'm given an equation and asked to find the following:

  • Domain
  • Critical points
  • Inflection points
  • Asymptotes

The function is:

$y = 2 + 9x + 3x^2 -x^3$

It has been quite awhile since I have done this sort of problem so I'm a bit rusty. Can someone check my work and explain the missing parts?

  • Domain

All Real

  • Critical Points:

Find derivative:

$ y' = -3x^2 + 6x + 9$

Set equal to 0:

$ 3x^2 - 6x - 9 = 0 $

$ (3x + 3)(x - 3) = 0$

$ x = -1, x = 3$

Corresponding points: (-1, -3) & (3,30)

  • Inflection Points:

Take second derivative:

$ y'' = 6x - 6$

Set it to 0:

edit (fix typo)

$ x = 1 $

Corresponding point: (1, 13)

  • Asymptotes

None

  • 1
    Minor typo, for where second derivative is $0$ should have $x=1$. And this is not *necessarily* an inflection point, concavity must change. But it does.2012-12-12
  • 0
    @AndréNicolas Good catch, you have a good eye.2012-12-12

1 Answers 1

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Yes, you find inflection points by taking the second derivative $y''$ and setting $y''$ equal to zero. Solve for x, to determine the point $(x, y)$ at which an inflection point may occur. (This procedure may not result in an inflection point, but in this case it does. If an inflection point exists, it will be at the point at which $y'' = 0$, but the converse is not always true.

For your critical points, find the corresponding $y$ values associated with your solutions fr $x$, respectively, to obtain the critical points: you want to write the points as ordered pairs.

  • 0
    Can you explain the second part of that? Regarding the point (x,y)? I ended up with x = 6.2012-12-12
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    Plug them back into the derivative or the original equation?2012-12-12
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    To find the y values, substitute the x values of your critical points and your inflection point into the ORIGINAL equation.2012-12-12
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    There I plugged the values back into the original to get the points, do they look correct? Also, when should I know when to check for asymptotes?2012-12-12
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    Note that your inflection point is when $6x = 6$ ---> $x = 1$2012-12-12
  • 0
    Looks good now!2012-12-12
  • 0
    Thanks for the help, glad to have all you helpful people around!2012-12-12
  • 0
    I hope my small plus make you a good feelings like spring. This is the only job I can do for my friend. ;-)2013-03-20
  • 0
    Thanks, @Babak Yes indeed, spring is on its way! Sleep well, my friend!2013-03-20
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    Couldn't the inflection point also be at a point where y'' is not defined?2015-12-08