local min/max problem

packerman

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Joined
Jan 19, 2006
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6
Hi everyone, I have no clue on how to solve this one. Can anyone help me out?

Determine all values 'b' for which the functioln f(x) = x^3 - bx^2 + 5x + 7 will achieve local minimum and maximum values.

Thanks~
 
f'(x) = 3x^2 - 2bx + 5 = 0
^Keep the B right??

Well I did manage to get this far when I attempted this problem but I have no idea what to do next or if I even got the differential right. Will the variable 'b' be equal to 0 when you differentiate thus negating -2bx or will it be treated as a constant?

Any additional help would be appreciated!
 
Have you forgotten Algebra? Search your brain for the Quadratic Formula.
 
okay.. I know the quadratic formula and I can get to the point where
x= sqrt(3)x +- sqrt(2bx-5)= 0

I still don't know what to do from here. HOW CAN I FIND VALUES B TO GET A local MAX MIN??!?
 
You're just not paying attention. Why did you write "=0" and where is the "/6"?
One zero is:
\(\displaystyle \L\,x\,=\,\frac{-(-2b)+\sqrt{(-2b)^{2}-4*3*5}}{2*3}\,=\,\frac{b+\sqrt{b^{2}-15}}{3}\)
What is that thing you wrote? It does not indicate a knowledge of the Quadratic Formula.

Very Rough Overview

1) Given f(x)
2) Find f'(x)
3) Find x=x<sub>i</sub> such that f'(x<sub>i</sub>) = 0
4) x=x<sub>i</sub> are the x-coordiantes of local minima and maxima.
5) The minima and maxima are (x<sub>i</sub>,f(x<sub>i</sub>))

If this problem were a snake, it would have bitten you several times.

Are you SURE you're ready for calculus?
 
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