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 , we need to locate where its derivative is zero or undefined.
Step 1: Differentiate with respect to
Using the chain rule, the derivative is:
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For the first term, .
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The derivative of is simply , since is treated as a constant.
So,
Step 2: Set
To find the critical points, set :
Since is always positive for real values of , we can divide by it without changing the equation:
Solving for :
Answer
The critical point occurs at:
Would you like further details on this process or have additional questions?
Here are five related questions to expand your understanding:
- How would the critical point change if were negative?
- What happens to the critical point if ?
- Are there any conditions under which this function would have no critical points?
- How can you determine if the critical point is a minimum or maximum?
- What is the effect of changing the exponent in the term ?
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