Calculus

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!

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asked by Nikki

  1. 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?

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    posted by Reiny

  2. oh god. didn't even think about factoring. lol thanks

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    posted by Nikki

  3. lol rice krispies am i right

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    posted by Bob Pretzel

  4. But you did it wrong

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    posted by He ha

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