The function f(x) = 2x³ − 42x² + 270x – 4 has two critical numbers. The smaller one is x = and the larger one is x =

Calculus: Early Transcendentals
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Author:James Stewart
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Chapter1: Functions And Models
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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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**Finding Critical Numbers of the Function**

For the function \( f(x) = 2x^3 - 42x^2 + 270x - 4 \), we aim to find the critical numbers. Critical numbers are the values of \( x \) where the derivative of the function is zero or undefined.

First, compute the derivative of the function:
\[ f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx} (2x^3 - 42x^2 + 270x - 4) \]

By applying the power rule:
\[ f'(x) = 6x^2 - 84x + 270 \]

Set the derivative equal to zero to find the critical numbers:
\[ 6x^2 - 84x + 270 = 0 \]

Solve this quadratic equation for \( x \):
\[ x^2 - 14x + 45 = 0 \]

Factor the quadratic equation:
\[ (x - 9)(x - 5) = 0 \]

This gives us two solutions:
\[ x = 9 \text{ and } x = 5 \]

Therefore, the function \( f(x) = 2x^3 - 42x^2 + 270x - 4 \) has two critical numbers.

**Identifying the Critical Numbers:**

1. The smaller one is \( x = \) 5.
2. The larger one is \( x = \) 9.
Transcribed Image Text:**Finding Critical Numbers of the Function** For the function \( f(x) = 2x^3 - 42x^2 + 270x - 4 \), we aim to find the critical numbers. Critical numbers are the values of \( x \) where the derivative of the function is zero or undefined. First, compute the derivative of the function: \[ f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx} (2x^3 - 42x^2 + 270x - 4) \] By applying the power rule: \[ f'(x) = 6x^2 - 84x + 270 \] Set the derivative equal to zero to find the critical numbers: \[ 6x^2 - 84x + 270 = 0 \] Solve this quadratic equation for \( x \): \[ x^2 - 14x + 45 = 0 \] Factor the quadratic equation: \[ (x - 9)(x - 5) = 0 \] This gives us two solutions: \[ x = 9 \text{ and } x = 5 \] Therefore, the function \( f(x) = 2x^3 - 42x^2 + 270x - 4 \) has two critical numbers. **Identifying the Critical Numbers:** 1. The smaller one is \( x = \) 5. 2. The larger one is \( x = \) 9.
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