A curve is such that \(\frac{dy}{dx} = -x^2 + 5x - 4\).
(i) Find the \(x\)-coordinate of each of the stationary points of the curve.
(ii) Obtain an expression for \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\) and hence or otherwise find the nature of each of the stationary points.
Solution
(i) To find the stationary points, set \(\frac{dy}{dx} = 0\):
\(-x^2 + 5x - 4 = 0\)
Solving the quadratic equation:
\(x^2 - 5x + 4 = 0\)
\((x - 1)(x - 4) = 0\)
Thus, \(x = 1\) and \(x = 4\).
(ii) Differentiate \(\frac{dy}{dx}\) to find \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\):
\(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = -2x + 5\)
Evaluate \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\) at \(x = 1\):
\(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = -2(1) + 5 = 3\)
Since \(3 > 0\), \(x = 1\) is a minimum.
Evaluate \(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2}\) at \(x = 4\):
\(\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = -2(4) + 5 = -3\)
Since \(-3 < 0\), \(x = 4\) is a maximum.
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