How do you find the relative extrema for f(x)=x^3-4x^2+x+6f(x)=x34x2+x+6?

1 Answer
Jul 21, 2018

relative min at ( 4/3 +(sqrt(13))/3, 70/27 - (26 sqrt(13))/27)(43+133,7027261327)

relative max at (4/3 - (sqrt(13))/3, 70/27 + (26 sqrt(13))/27)(43133,7027+261327)

Explanation:

Given: f(x) = x^3 - 4x^2 + x + 6f(x)=x34x2+x+6

To find relative extrema first find the first derivative :

f'(x) = 3x^2 - 8x + 1

Find the critical value(s) by setting f'(x) = 0

f'(x) = 3x^2 - 8x + 1 = 0

Use the quadratic formula to find the critical value(s):

x = (8 +- sqrt(8^2 - 4(3)(1)))/(2*3) = 4/3 +- sqrt(52)/6 = 4/3 +-( sqrt(13))/3

Find critical points :

f(4/3 +(sqrt(13))/3) = 70/27 - (26 sqrt(13))/27 ~~-.8794

f(4/3 -(sqrt(13))/3) = 70/27 + (26 sqrt(13))/27 ~~6.0646

Use 2nd derivative test since it is easy to find the 2nd derivative of this function:

f''(x) = 6x - 8

If f''(c) > 0 we have a relative minimum

If f''(c) < 0 we have a relative maximum

f''(4/3 +(sqrt(13))/3) > 0 relative min at x = 4/3 +(sqrt(13))/3

f''(4/3 - (sqrt(13))/3) < 0 relative max at x = 4/3 - (sqrt(13))/3