Properties of a twice-differentiable function

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of a twice-differentiable function f, specifically when f(0), f'(0), and f''(0) are negative. It is established that while f'' is increasing, has a unique zero, and is unbounded on the interval [0, ∞), the function f itself only necessarily possesses properties II (having a unique zero) and III (being unbounded). The confusion arises from the misconception that f must also be increasing, which is clarified by noting that the initial negative slope of f indicates it must decrease initially.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of twice-differentiable functions
  • Knowledge of calculus concepts such as derivatives and their properties
  • Familiarity with the behavior of functions on intervals
  • Ability to analyze the implications of function properties on their derivatives
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of the Mean Value Theorem on function behavior
  • Learn about the relationship between a function and its first and second derivatives
  • Explore examples of functions that exhibit similar properties to reinforce understanding
  • Investigate the concept of boundedness in the context of calculus
USEFUL FOR

Students of calculus, mathematicians analyzing function behavior, and educators teaching properties of differentiable functions will benefit from this discussion.

Hitman2-2

Homework Statement


Suppose that f is a twice-differentiable function on the set of real numbers and that f(0), f'(0), and f''(0) are all negative. Suppose f'' has all three of the following properties.

I. It is increasing on the interval [0, \infty).
II. It has a unique zero in the interval [0, \infty).
III. It is unbounded on the interval [0, \infty).

Which of the same three properties does f necessarily have?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


I thought that f would have all three properties, but the answer is that it only has properties II & III and I don't see why. If f isn't increasing on the interval, then wouldn't it have to eventually decrease without bound? It looks to me that the first and second derivatives are increasing without bound so why isn't this a contradiction?
 
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Hitman2-2 said:

Homework Statement


Suppose that f is a twice-differentiable function on the set of real numbers and that f(0), f'(0), and f''(0) are all negative. Suppose f'' has all three of the following properties.

I. It is increasing on the interval [0, \infty).
II. It has a unique zero in the interval [0, \infty).
III. It is unbounded on the interval [0, \infty).

Which of the same three properties does f necessarily have?

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


I thought that f would have all three properties, but the answer is that it only has properties II & III and I don't see why. If f isn't increasing on the interval, then wouldn't it have to eventually decrease without bound? It looks to me that the first and second derivatives are increasing without bound so why isn't this a contradiction?

The slope of f is initially negative, so it has to decrease initially.
 
Well, I totally overlooked that.

Thanks for the help.
 

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