Finding Points of Inflection on a Curve

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In summary, the conversation is about verifying the points of inflection on a given curve and using a formula to find the values of x. The points of inflection were found to be (-1.1196, 34.79) and (1.7863, 107.12).
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donjt81
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Hi guys... I have this problem that i need to verify. I did it but i just want one of you guys to maybe check to see if it is correct.

problem: find the points of inflection on the curve

y = -3x^4 + 4x^3 +36x^2

so first i found y'' = -36x^2 + 24x + 72 = 0
since b^2 - 4ac is not a perfect square i had to use the formula
x = [ -b + sqrt(b^2 - 4ac) ]/2a
and
x = [ -b - sqrt(b^2 - 4ac) ]/2a

by using these i get the values of x as
x = -1.1196
and x = 1.7863

so the points of inflection are (-1.1196, 34.79) and (1.7863, 107.12)

Thanks in advance
 
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Perfect :).
 

What is a point of inflection?

A point of inflection is a point on a curve where the concavity changes, or the curve switches from being concave up to concave down, or vice versa.

How do you find the point of inflection?

To find the point of inflection, you must first find the second derivative of the curve. Then, set the second derivative equal to zero and solve for the x-value. This x-value represents the point of inflection.

What is the significance of a point of inflection?

A point of inflection is significant because it marks a change in the direction of the curve's concavity. It can also be used to find the minimum or maximum points on a curve.

Can a curve have multiple points of inflection?

Yes, a curve can have multiple points of inflection. This occurs when the second derivative changes sign more than once.

How is a point of inflection related to the first and second derivatives?

A point of inflection occurs when the second derivative of a curve is equal to zero. This means that the first derivative is either at a minimum or maximum, indicating a change in the direction of the curve's slope.

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