Calculus: Early Transcendentals
8th Edition
ISBN:9781285741550
Author:James Stewart
Publisher:James Stewart
Chapter1: Functions And Models
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RCC: (a) What is a function? What are its domain and range? (b) What is the graph of a function? (c) How...
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![### Proving the Location of the Relative Minimum or Maximum
**Objective:**
Use calculus to demonstrate that the relative minimum or maximum point for any quadratic function \( f \), described as follows, occurs at \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \).
**Function Definition:**
\[ f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c, \quad a \neq 0 \]
### Explanation:
To find the relative minimum or maximum of the quadratic function \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), follow these steps:
1. **Take the Derivative:**
Find the first derivative of the function, \( f'(x) \), to determine the slope of the tangent at any point \( x \).
2. **Set Derivative to Zero:**
Solve \( f'(x) = 0 \) to find the critical points, where the slope of the tangent is zero, indicating a potential minimum or maximum.
3. **Calculate the Derivative:**
- The derivative of \( f(x) \) is:
\[ f'(x) = 2ax + b \]
4. **Solve for \( x \):**
- Set the derivative equal to zero:
\[ 2ax + b = 0 \]
- Solve for \( x \):
\[ x = -\frac{b}{2a} \]
This derivation shows that for any quadratic function of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c \), the critical point, which could be a relative minimum or maximum, occurs at \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \).](/v2/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcontent.bartleby.com%2Fqna-images%2Fquestion%2F700fc622-904c-44c3-8a84-236b54db198f%2F38d337bf-8350-47aa-beb6-f8aa55cab446%2Fjr6pjfk_processed.png&w=3840&q=75)
Transcribed Image Text:### Proving the Location of the Relative Minimum or Maximum
**Objective:**
Use calculus to demonstrate that the relative minimum or maximum point for any quadratic function \( f \), described as follows, occurs at \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \).
**Function Definition:**
\[ f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c, \quad a \neq 0 \]
### Explanation:
To find the relative minimum or maximum of the quadratic function \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), follow these steps:
1. **Take the Derivative:**
Find the first derivative of the function, \( f'(x) \), to determine the slope of the tangent at any point \( x \).
2. **Set Derivative to Zero:**
Solve \( f'(x) = 0 \) to find the critical points, where the slope of the tangent is zero, indicating a potential minimum or maximum.
3. **Calculate the Derivative:**
- The derivative of \( f(x) \) is:
\[ f'(x) = 2ax + b \]
4. **Solve for \( x \):**
- Set the derivative equal to zero:
\[ 2ax + b = 0 \]
- Solve for \( x \):
\[ x = -\frac{b}{2a} \]
This derivation shows that for any quadratic function of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c \), the critical point, which could be a relative minimum or maximum, occurs at \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \).
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