Find the values where the tangent line is horizontal

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To find the values where the tangent line of the function f(x) = x + 2sin(x) is horizontal, the derivative f'(x) = 1 + 2cos(x) is set to zero. This leads to the equation 2cos(x) = -1, resulting in cos(x) = -1/2. The solutions for horizontal tangents occur at x = (2n + 1)π ± π/3, where n is any integer, indicating multiple sets of solutions. The critical points are specifically at 2π/3 and 4π/3, with periodicity every 2π. Accurate representation of these values is essential for understanding the function's behavior.
frosty8688
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1. Find the values for x at which the tangent line is horizontal


2. f(x) = x + 2sinx

3. I found the derivative to be f'(x) = 1 + 2cosx I then set the derivative equal to zero and it came out to be 2cosx = -1, cosx = -\frac{1}{2} So the values of the horizontal tangent are 2∏/3 ± 2∏
 
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I think you exchanged some numbers in the result. In addition, there are two different sets of solutions, not just one.
 
The values would be (2n + 1)∏ ± 1/3∏. Since it is -1/2 at 2∏/3 and at 4∏/3 and it occurs at ∏ ± 1/3∏ and at every 2∏ to the left or right.
 
That is better. "at every 2∏" should get some integer k (or whatever) as arbitrary factor for the 2∏.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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