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Multiple Choice
Find the critical points of the given function. g(x)=31x3−21x2−12x
A
x=0,x=12
B
x=−4,x=3
C
x=−6,x=2
D
x=4,x=−3
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: To find the critical points of the function g(x) = (1/3)x^3 - (1/2)x^2 - 12x, start by finding the derivative of the function, g'(x). The derivative represents the slope of the tangent line to the curve and is calculated using the power rule for differentiation.
Step 2: Apply the power rule to each term of g(x). For the first term (1/3)x^3, the derivative is (1/3)*3x^(3-1) = x^2. For the second term -(1/2)x^2, the derivative is -(1/2)*2x^(2-1) = -x. For the third term -12x, the derivative is -12. Thus, g'(x) = x^2 - x - 12.
Step 3: Set the derivative g'(x) equal to zero to find the critical points. This is because critical points occur where the slope of the tangent line is zero or undefined. Solve the equation x^2 - x - 12 = 0.
Step 4: Factorize the quadratic equation x^2 - x - 12 = 0. Look for two numbers that multiply to -12 and add to -1. These numbers are -4 and 3. Therefore, the factorization is (x - 4)(x + 3) = 0.
Step 5: Solve the factored equation (x - 4)(x + 3) = 0 by setting each factor equal to zero. This gives x - 4 = 0, which implies x = 4, and x + 3 = 0, which implies x = -3. Thus, the critical points are x = 4 and x = -3.