Posts

Showing posts with the label derivative to find extremes

Let f : R → R be a polynomial function of degree four having extreme values at x = 4 and x = 5. If limx→0 f(x)/x² = 5, then f(2) is equal to:

Image
  Question Let f : R → R f : \mathbb{R} \to \mathbb{R}  be a polynomial function of degree 4 having extreme values at x = 4 x = 4  and x = 5 x = 5 . If lim ⁡ x → 0 f ( x ) x 2 = 5 , then find f ( 2 ) f(2) . Question Image Short Solution Express derivative using extreme points: Since f ( x ) f(x)  is degree 4 and has extreme values at x = 4 , 5 x=4,5 , the derivative f ′ ( x ) f'(x)  must vanish there: f ′ ( x ) = k ( x − 4 ) ( x − 5 ) ( x − α ) for some real α \alpha  and constant k k . Degree of f ′ ( x ) f'(x)  is 3, consistent with degree 4 for f ( x ) f(x) . Integrate to get f ( x ) f(x) : Let’s assume a convenient factorization for simplicity: f ′ ( x ) = A ( x − 4 ) ( x − 5 ) ( x − r ) Integrate to get f ( x ) = ∫ f ′ ( x ) d x = quartic in  x + C. Use the limit condition: lim ⁡ x → 0 f ( x ) x 2 = 5    ⟹    f ( x ) ∼ 5 x 2  as  x → 0 So the constant term in f ( x ) f(x)  is 0, and the coefficient...