Interval of Concavity for ${x}^{6}\ln\left({x}\right)$

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter hannahSUU
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    intervals
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The function \( f(x) = x^6 \ln(x) \) has been analyzed for its concavity. The intervals of concavity are determined as follows: the function is concave down on the interval \( (0, e^{-\frac{11}{30}}) \) and concave up on the interval \( (e^{-\frac{11}{30}}, \infty) \). A critical point of inflection occurs at \( \left(e^{-\frac{11}{30}}, -\frac{11}{30} e^{-\frac{11}{5}}\right) \). The second derivative, calculated using the product rule, is \( f''(x) = x^4(30 \ln(x) + 11) \).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of calculus concepts, specifically derivatives and concavity.
  • Familiarity with the product rule for differentiation.
  • Knowledge of logarithmic functions and their properties.
  • Ability to analyze critical points and inflection points in functions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the application of the product rule in more complex functions.
  • Learn how to identify and analyze points of inflection in various functions.
  • Explore the behavior of logarithmic functions in calculus.
  • Investigate the implications of concavity on the graph of a function.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those studying calculus, as well as educators looking for examples of concavity analysis in functions.

hannahSUU
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
\begin{equation} {x}^{6}\ln\left({x}\right)\end{equation}

Find the interval where the function is concave up and down.

The answers I got are:
Concave up: (ln(2), infinity)
Concave down: (0, ln(2))

and for the life of me I cannot figure out why they aren't correct.

any help? (heart)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hannahSUU said:
\begin{equation} {x}^{6}\ln\left({x}\right)\end{equation}

Find the interval where the function is concave up and down.

The answers I got are:
Concave up: (ln(2), infinity)
Concave down: (0, ln(2))

and for the life of me I cannot figure out why they aren't correct.

any help? (heart)

Can you show your working in computing the second derivative?
 
As a follow-up, we are given:

$$f(x)=x^6\ln(x)$$

The first thing I would observe is that the domain of this function is $0<x$.

Using the product rule, we find:

$$f'(x)=\left(6x^5\right)\left(\ln(x)\right)+\left(x^6\right)\left(\frac{1}{x}\right)=x^5\left(6\ln(x)+1\right)$$

Using the product rule again, we find:

$$f''(x)=\left(5x^4\right)\left(6\ln(x)+1\right)+\left(x^5\right)\left(\frac{6}{x}\right)=x^4\left(30\ln(x)+11\right)$$

As $0<x$, we need only look at the critical value that comes from:

$$30\ln(x)+11=0\implies x=e^{\Large{-\frac{11}{30}}}$$

Using test values on either side of this critical value, such as $e^{-1}$ or $e$, we see that we have:

$$30\ln(x)+11<0$$ on $\left(0,e^{\Large{-\frac{11}{30}}}\right)$ and thus $f$ is concave down on this interval.

$$30\ln(x)+11>0$$ on $\left(e^{\Large{-\frac{11}{30}}},\infty\right)$ and thus $f$ is concave up on this interval.

Thus, we have a point of inflection at:

$$\left(e^{\Large{-\frac{11}{30}}},f\left(e^{\Large{-\frac{11}{30}}}\right)\right)=\left(e^{\Large{-\frac{11}{30}}},-\frac{11}{30}e^{\Large{-\frac{11}{5}}}\right)$$

Here is a plot of the given function with the point of inflection shown:

View attachment 7538
 

Attachments

  • concavity_01.png
    concavity_01.png
    4.4 KB · Views: 120

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
25
Views
5K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K