Stationary points of a cubic classified from the sign of the derivative and the second derivative, and a normal meeting a tangent

Stationary points of a cubic classified from the sign of the derivative and the second derivative, and a normal meeting a tangent

16 marks

Let \(f(x)=\frac{1}{3}x^3-x^2-24x+100\).

  1. Find \(f'(x)\).[2]

The tangent to the graph of \(f\) is parallel to the \(x\)-axis at exactly two points, where \(x=a\) and \(x=b\), with \(a<b\).

  1. Find \(a\) and \(b\).[3]
    1. Sketch the curve \(y=f'(x)\).
    2. Hence explain why \(f\) has a local maximum when \(x=a\).[2]
    1. Find \(f''(b)\).
    2. Hence, by using part (d)(i), show that \(f\) attains a local minimum value when \(x=b\).[4]

The normal to the curve \(y=f(x)\) where \(x=a\) intersects the tangent to the same curve where \(x=b\) at \((p,q)\).

  1. Find \(p\) and \(q\).[5]

Solution:

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Answer:(a) \(f'(x)=x^2-2x-24\) (b) \(a=-4,\ b=6\) (c)(i) upward parabola through \((-4,0)\), \((6,0)\) and \((0,-24)\), minimum \((1,-25)\) (c)(ii) \(f'\) changes from positive to negative at \(x=a\) (d)(i) \(f''(b)=10\) (d)(ii) \(f'(b)=0\), \(f''(b)>0\) (e) \(p=-4,\ q=-8\)

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