Homework Help: Calculus

Posted by Nikki on Monday, May 10, 2010 at 7:57pm.

How many critical points does the function

f(x) = [(x-2)^5][(x+3)^4] have?

A. 1
B. 2
C. 3
D. 5
E. 9

---

Ok, these are my thoughts on this question:
My impulse was to do derivative of the function. However, if I'm going to set the function equal to zero to find some critical points (because a critical point is where derivative either equals zero or doesn't exist), it's going to take me forever, and this question shouldn't take very long.

So my next choice was to look at the function itself. The degrees are 5 and 4, so if we add those degrees together we get 9. Essentially, I thought the answer would be E because of 9 factors, 9 CPs. However, the factors repeat, 2 and -3!

Thus, my guess is B, which is two. Are my reasonings right?

Thanks much!

Calculus - Reiny, Monday, May 10, 2010 at 8:29pm
Your first impulse was correct and made sense, but then you slipped into some very fuzzy thinking.
How can you just add the exponents when the bases are not the same??

So from your impulse ....

f'(x)= (x-2)^5(4)(x+3)^3 + (x+3)^4(5)(x-2)^4
=(x-2)^4 (x+3)^3 [ 4(x-2) + 5(x+3)]
= (x-2)^4 (x+3)^3 (9x +7)

x=2, x=-3 , and x = -7/9 will produce critical points.

What was so hard about that?
Calculus - Nikki, Monday, May 10, 2010 at 8:35pm
oh god. didn't even think about factoring. lol thanks

Answer this Question

Related Questions

calculus - How many critical points does the function: (x+2)^5 * (x-3)^4 have? ...
Calculus-Function - sketch the graph of a function in neighborhood x=2 that ...
calculus - Use a graph of f(x) = 3 e^{-8 x^2} to estimate the x-values of any ...
Critical Points??? - How many critical points does the function f(x)=((x &#...
Calculus - How do you find the critical numbers and the end points of this ...
Calculus - Find the formula for a function of the form y=Asin(Bx)+C with a ...
Calculus - Find the formula for a function of the form y=Asin(Bx)+C with a ...
Calculus (pleas help!!!) - Find the formula for a function of the form y=Asin(Bx...
Calculus - Find the formula for a function of the form y=Asin(Bx)+C with a ...
calculus - How many critical points are in the function: f(x)= (x+2)^5 * (x-3)^4...

For Further Reading

First Name:
School Subject:
Answer: