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 potential locations for local extrema, as they indicate where the function's slope changes direction. To find critical points, compute the derivative of the function and solve for values of the variable where the derivative equals zero or does not exist.
Recommended video:
First Derivative Test
The First Derivative Test helps determine whether a critical point is a local maximum or minimum. By analyzing the sign of the derivative before and after the critical point, one can infer the behavior of the function. If the derivative changes from positive to negative, the point is a local maximum; if it changes from negative to positive, it is a local minimum.
Recommended video:
The First Derivative Test: Finding Local Extrema
Domain Considerations
Understanding the domain of a function is crucial when identifying extrema, as it defines the range of input values to consider. In this problem, the domain is given as −3 ≤ t < ∞, meaning the function is evaluated from t = -3 onwards. This affects where extrema can occur, especially at the boundary points, which must be checked separately.
Recommended video:
Finding the Domain and Range of a Graph