Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Critical Points
Critical points of a function occur where its derivative is zero or undefined. These points are significant because they can indicate local maxima, minima, or points of inflection. To find critical points, set the derivative equal to zero and solve for the variable, or identify where the derivative does not exist.
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Derivative
The derivative of a function represents the rate of change or the slope of the function at any given point. It is a fundamental tool in calculus used to find critical points, analyze function behavior, and solve optimization problems. In this context, f′(x) = x(x − 1) is the derivative of the function f(x).
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Factoring
Factoring is a mathematical process used to simplify expressions or solve equations by expressing a polynomial as a product of its factors. In the context of finding critical points, factoring the derivative, such as f′(x) = x(x − 1), helps identify the values of x that make the derivative zero, which are potential critical points.
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Limits of Rational Functions: Denominator = 0