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6 mark for review if $f(x)=x(x + 1)(x - 2)^2$, then the graph of $f$ ha…

Question

6 mark for review if $f(x)=x(x + 1)(x - 2)^2$, then the graph of $f$ has inflection points when $x=$ a -1 only b 2 only c -1 and 0 only d -1 and 2 only e -1, 0, and 2 only

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Inflection Point Condition

An inflection point of \( f(x) \) occurs where \( f''(x) = 0 \) and \( f''(x) \) changes sign (or the concavity changes). First, we need to analyze \( f''(x)=x(x + 1)(x - 2)^2 \).

Step2: Find Critical Points of \( f''(x) \)

Set \( f''(x)=0 \). Solve \( x(x + 1)(x - 2)^2=0 \). The roots are \( x = 0 \), \( x=-1 \), and \( x = 2 \) (with \( x = 2 \) being a double root).

Step3: Analyze Sign Changes of \( f''(x) \)

  • For \( x<-1 \), let's pick \( x=-2 \): \( (-2)(-2 + 1)(-2 - 2)^2=(-2)(-1)(16)=32>0 \).
  • For \( -1
  • For \( 0
  • For \( x>2 \), pick \( x = 3 \): \( (3)(3 + 1)(3 - 2)^2=(3)(4)(1)=12>0 \). For \( x = 2 \), the factor \( (x - 2)^2 \) is always non - negative, and the sign of \( f''(x) \) around \( x = 2 \) (left: \( 02 \), \( f''(x)>0 \)) does not change. So \( x = 2 \) is not an inflection point.

Answer:

C. -1 and 0 only