Find Stationary Point on y= 16x³ + 4x² + 1/2x² | Maxima & Minima

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the coordinates of a stationary point on the curve defined by the equation y= (16x³ + 4x² + 1)/(2x²) and determining the nature of this point. Participants are exploring the differentiation of the function and the conditions under which the first derivative equals zero.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to differentiate the given equation and identify points where the derivative is zero. There are questions about the correctness of derivatives obtained and interpretations of results. Some participants express confusion over the nature of the derivatives and the implications of certain values.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the derivative calculations, with some participants providing hints and corrections. Multiple interpretations of the derivative and stationary points are being discussed, and while some guidance has been offered, there is no explicit consensus on the final outcomes or methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that "x=0" is not in the domain of the function, which influences the differentiation process. There are also references to discrepancies between participants' results and those found in textbooks, indicating potential misunderstandings or errors in calculation.

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Find the coordinates of a stationary point on the curve [tex]y= \frac{16x^3 + 4x^2 + 1}{2x^2}[/tex] And determine the nature of this points.

How I find the coordinates? I know the second part.
 
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You have to find the dy/dx of that equation and find points where that is 0

Hint: use the quotient rule to differentiate that
 
You say you know about the second part.
We are therefore, I hope, in agreement that the x-values for stationary points are found by the equation y'(x)=0.
Let us denote a particular solution of this equation by X.
But then, the corresponding y-value for a stationary point on the curve (for which the x-value is X) is simply y(X).
 
Assuming that you mean this by a stationary point, set the first derivative equal to zero.

EDIT--Oops...when I was replying to this post I didn't see others' responses. Anyway you have much better ones now. Cheers.
 
How do you get the derivative? When I let me derivative equal to 0, I keep getting weird answers
 
footprints said:
How do you get the derivative? When I let me derivative equal to 0, I keep getting weird answers

What do you mean by "weird"??Should they be "lovely"?

On the other hand i don't see a really "nice" cubic...
BTW,because "x=0" is not in the domain of the function,u can simplify the quartic on the numerator and end up with a cubic...

Daniel.
 
dextercioby said:
BTW,because "x=0" is not in the domain of the function,u can simplify the quartic on the numerator and end up with a cubic...

Daniel.
I did that the first time I did it. I got the derivative [tex]8 - 4x^{-3}[/tex]
Is that correct?
 
Yes,it's correct.Now solve the equation into reals...

Daniel.
 
maverick280857 said:
Assuming that you mean this by a stationary point

What else would he mean? :confused:
 
  • #10
When [tex]8 - 4x^{-3} = 0[/tex], I get 0.7937... (thats why I said it was weird). I didn't anything wrong did I?
 
  • #11
If your answer is
[tex]x=\frac{1}{\sqrt[3]{2}}[/tex]
,then it is correct.

Daniel.
 
  • #12
Yeah, I got that. However my books answer is [tex](\frac{1}{2}, 8)[/tex]
 
  • #13
You have NOT calculated the derivative correctly (despite what others have told you):
[tex]y'(x)=\frac{2x^{2}(3*16x^{2}+8x)-4x(16x^{3}+4x^{2}+1)}{4x^{4}}=\frac{2x}{4x^{4}}*((3*16x^{3}+8x^{2})-(2*16x^{3}+8x^{2}+2))=\frac{16x^{3}-2}{2x^{3}}=8-\frac{1}{x^{3}}[/tex]
Hence, your root is [tex]X=\frac{1}{2}[/tex]
 
  • #14
Your book is right, BTW.
 
  • #15
U're right,Arildno,my mistake... :redface:

The function,IIRC is
[tex]y(x)=8x+4+\frac{1}{2x^{2}}[/tex]

whose derivative is immediate
[tex]y'(x)=8-x^{-3}[/tex]

Daniel.
 
  • #16
footprints:
Take this as a typical example of why I HATE the differentiation rule for fractions!
It is the nastiest one, it is so easy to make a mistake.

Daniel has kindly provided you with a rewriting which gives you the correct answer right away.
 
  • #17
I don't understand. When differentiating [tex]y(x)=8x+4+\frac{1}{2x^{2}}[/tex], won't I get [tex]8 - 4x^{-3}[/tex]?

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}= 1*8x^{1-1}+ (-2)(2x^{-2-1})[/tex]
[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}= 8 - 4x^{-3}[/tex]
Whats wrong with that?
Maybe you could show me in detail how it is done?
 
  • #18
footprints said:
I don't understand. When differentiating [tex]y(x)=8x+4+\frac{1}{2x^{2}}[/tex], won't I get [tex]8 - 4x^{-3}[/tex]?

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}= 1*8x^{1-1}+ (-2)(2x^{-2-1})[/tex]
[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}= 8 - 4x^{-3}[/tex]
Whats wrong with that?
This is wrong; it should be:

[tex]\frac{dy}{dx}= 1*8x^{1-1}+ (-2)(\frac{1}{2}x^{-2-1})[/tex]
 
  • #19
Oh right! Thanks for the help guys!
 

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