Math Problem Statement

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You said: For what value of x does the function  f (x) have a critical point if

 f (x)  =  e x4/4 + 10px 

Answer with an expression that includes p.'

Solution

To find the critical points of the function f(x)=ex44+10pxf(x) = e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} + 10px, we need to locate where its derivative f(x)f'(x) is zero or undefined.

Step 1: Differentiate f(x)f(x) with respect to xx

Using the chain rule, the derivative f(x)f'(x) is: f(x)=ddx(ex44)+ddx(10px)f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}\left( e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} \right) + \frac{d}{dx}(10px)

  1. For the first term, ddx(ex44)=ex44ddx(x44)=ex44x3\frac{d}{dx}\left( e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} \right) = e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} \cdot \frac{d}{dx} \left( \frac{x^4}{4} \right) = e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} \cdot x^3.

  2. The derivative of 10px10px is simply 10p10p, since pp is treated as a constant.

So, f(x)=ex44x3+10pf'(x) = e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} \cdot x^3 + 10p

Step 2: Set f(x)=0f'(x) = 0

To find the critical points, set f(x)=0f'(x) = 0: ex44x3+10p=0e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} \cdot x^3 + 10p = 0

Since ex44e^{\frac{x^4}{4}} is always positive for real values of xx, we can divide by it without changing the equation: x3+10p=0x^3 + 10p = 0

Solving for xx: x3=10px^3 = -10p x=10p3x = -\sqrt[3]{10p}

Answer

The critical point occurs at: x=10p3x = -\sqrt[3]{10p}

Would you like further details on this process or have additional questions?


Here are five related questions to expand your understanding:

  1. How would the critical point change if pp were negative?
  2. What happens to the critical point if p=0p = 0?
  3. Are there any conditions under which this function f(x)f(x) would have no critical points?
  4. How can you determine if the critical point is a minimum or maximum?
  5. What is the effect of changing the exponent in the term x4/4x^4/4?

Tip: Remember that a critical point occurs where the derivative equals zero or is undefined—key information for analyzing function behavior.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Critical Points
Derivatives
Exponentials

Formulas

Derivative of e^(x^4/4): d/dx [e^(x^4/4)] = e^(x^4/4) * x^3
Setting the derivative f'(x) = 0 for critical points

Theorems

Chain Rule
Critical Point Definition (f'(x) = 0 or undefined)

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12