Math Problem Statement

Consider the following function: f(x) = x^3 − 7x^2. Find f'(x), solve f'(x) = 0 for x, and find the points on the graph of f where the tangent line is horizontal.

Solution

Let's walk through the steps for solving the problem you've uploaded.

1. Find f(x)f'(x):

Given:
f(x)=x37x2f(x) = x^3 - 7x^2
To find f(x)f'(x), apply the power rule:
f(x)=3x214xf'(x) = 3x^2 - 14x
This part is correctly calculated and is shown as correct in the image.

2. Solve f(x)=0f'(x) = 0 for xx:

We now solve the equation:
3x214x=03x^2 - 14x = 0
Factor the equation:
x(3x14)=0x(3x - 14) = 0

The solutions are:
x=0or3x14=0x = 0 \quad \text{or} \quad 3x - 14 = 0
x=0orx=143x = 0 \quad \text{or} \quad x = \frac{14}{3}

So, the correct xx-values are x=0x = 0 and x=143x = \frac{14}{3}.

3. Find the points where the tangent line is horizontal:

To find the points where the tangent line is horizontal, we substitute these xx-values into the original function f(x)f(x).

For x=0x = 0:

Substitute x=0x = 0 into f(x)f(x): f(0)=037(02)=0f(0) = 0^3 - 7(0^2) = 0
So the point is (0,0)(0, 0).

For x=143x = \frac{14}{3}:

Substitute x=143x = \frac{14}{3} into f(x)f(x): f(143)=(143)37(143)2f\left(\frac{14}{3}\right) = \left(\frac{14}{3}\right)^3 - 7\left(\frac{14}{3}\right)^2

Let's compute this value.

For x=143x = \frac{14}{3}, the corresponding value of f(x)f(x) is approximately 50.815-50.815.

Thus, the points where the tangent line is horizontal are:

  • Smaller xx-value: (0,0)(0, 0)
  • Larger xx-value: (143,50.815)\left( \frac{14}{3}, -50.815 \right)

Would you like more details or explanations about any steps? Here are some related questions to deepen your understanding:

  1. What is the significance of finding where the tangent line is horizontal?
  2. Can there be more than two points where the derivative is zero in a cubic function?
  3. How can the critical points of a function help identify its maxima and minima?
  4. How would you determine if these points are local maxima, minima, or saddle points?
  5. What changes would occur in the function if the coefficients in the original equation were different?

Tip: Whenever you solve equations involving derivatives, always verify if the solutions represent maximum, minimum, or inflection points by checking the second derivative or analyzing the function graph.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Differentiation
Polynomial Functions

Formulas

Power rule for differentiation: d/dx [x^n] = nx^(n-1)
Setting the derivative equal to zero to find critical points: f'(x) = 0

Theorems

Critical Points Theorem: If f'(x) = 0, then f has a potential maximum, minimum, or inflection point at x

Suitable Grade Level

High School (Grades 10-12) or early college level