Calculus Problem (involes critical numbers)

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cod
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Calculus Numbers
AI Thread Summary
To find the critical numbers of the function h(x) = sin^2(x) + cos(x) within the interval 0 < x < 2pi, the derivative 2sin(x)cos(x) - sin(x) was set to zero. The correct approach involves factoring the equation to sin(x)(2cos(x) - 1) = 0, leading to critical points where sin(x) = 0 or cos(x) = 1/2. The critical numbers identified are x = π/3, π, and 5π/3. The discussion highlights the importance of proper algebraic manipulation in solving calculus problems. Understanding these steps is essential for accurately determining critical numbers.
Cod
Messages
324
Reaction score
4
The directions state to find any critical numbers of the function within the interval 0 < x < 2pi. The function is:

h(x) = sin^2(x) + cos(x)

I've already found that the derivative is:

2sin(x)cos(x) - sin(x)

I've set that equal to zero, and that's where I'm stuck. I guess this is more of an algebra question than anything. The answer I keep getting is:

tan(x)/sin(x) = 2

However, I don't think its correct. So any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
2\sin{x}\cos{x} - \sin{x} = 0
2\sin{x}\cos{x}= \sin{x}
2\cos{x}=0
\cos{x}=0

...?

cookiemonster
 
Ohhhhh, I'm an idiot. I was adding sin x to both sides then dividing by cos x to get tan x. Well, I guess I was just looking over the obvious the whole time.

Thanks for the assistance.
 
cod: Don't call yourself an idiot. Let's reserve that for cookiemonster! (Hey, it's not often I can do that!)

NO, 2sin x cos x= cos x does NOT immediately lead to
"2cos x= 0"- it leads to 2cos x= 1 !

In fact, the best way to do this is to factor the original form:
2sin x cos x- sin x= sin x(2 cos x- 1)= 0 so

either sin x= 0 or 2 cos x-1= 0. That is, either sin x= 0
or cos x= 1/2. You can get x itself from those.
 
the answer for: Find any critical numbers of the function. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list.)
(sin(x))2 + cos(x) 0 < x < 2π

is: Pi/3 , Pi, 5Pi/3 so you know
 
TL;DR Summary: I came across this question from a Sri Lankan A-level textbook. Question - An ice cube with a length of 10 cm is immersed in water at 0 °C. An observer observes the ice cube from the water, and it seems to be 7.75 cm long. If the refractive index of water is 4/3, find the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. I could not understand how the apparent height of the ice cube in the water depends on the height of the ice cube immersed in the water. Does anyone have an...
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'
Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
Back
Top