Sketching a graph based on certain conditions

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around sketching a graph of a function \( f \) based on various conditions related to its first and second derivatives. Participants explore the implications of these conditions, including points of tangency, intervals of increase and decrease, concavity, and inflection points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to interpret conditions regarding the first and second derivatives of the function \( f \), questioning the meaning of horizontal tangents and the behavior of the function in specified intervals.
  • Some participants clarify misconceptions about horizontal asymptotes and provide insights into the implications of the derivative conditions on the function's behavior.
  • Questions arise regarding the specific behavior of \( f \) at certain points and intervals, particularly concerning the nature of the graph beyond given points.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the conditions provided, offering clarifications and insights that guide the original poster's understanding. There is a productive exchange of ideas, with some participants confirming interpretations and others suggesting further considerations.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted emphasis on the lack of specific values for \( f(1) \) and \( f(-1) \), as well as the acknowledgment that multiple graphs could satisfy the given conditions, highlighting the complexity of the problem.

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Sketching a graph based on certain conditions...

Hello,

I'm supposed to sketch a graph of f based on condtions I'm given. However some of the conditions I'm given I'm not sure exactly what is supposed to happen. A little help would be greatly appreciated.

Here are the condtions, some of which I think I know what f is supposed to do, some I do not:

f'(1) = f'(-1) = 0 : Does this mean there are horizontal asymptotes at y = 1 and y = -1?
f'(x) < 0 if |x| < 1 : I believe f is decreasing here on (-1, 1)
f'(x) > 0 if 1 < |x| < 2 : I believe f is increasing here on (-2, -1) and (1, 2)
f'(x) = -1 if |x| > 2 : I don't have any guesses for this one.
f''(x) < if -2 < x < 0 : I believe f is concave down on (-2, 0)
inflection point (0, 1) : I believe concavity changes at this point.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
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Any suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated. I'm confident that I can draw the final graph, but it's just determining what f is doing based on the conditions given of f'(x) and f''(x).

Thanks in advance.
 
BlackMamba said:
Hello,
I'm supposed to sketch a graph of f based on condtions I'm given. However some of the conditions I'm given I'm not sure exactly what is supposed to happen. A little help would be greatly appreciated.
Here are the condtions, some of which I think I know what f is supposed to do, some I do not:
f'(1) = f'(-1) = 0 : Does this mean there are horizontal asymptotes at y = 1 and y = -1?
Not asymptotes but horizontal tangent lines at x= 1 and x= -1. You don't know what f(1) and f(-1) are.

f'(x) < 0 if |x| < 1 : I believe f is decreasing here on (-1, 1)
Yes, and so you now know that f(-1)>= f(1).

f'(x) > 0 if 1 < |x| < 2 : I believe f is increasing here on (-2, -1) and (1, 2)
Yes, and so there is a local maximum at x=-1, a local minimum at x= 1

f'(x) = -1 if |x| > 2 : I don't have any guesses for this one.[/tex]
This is the most specific one of all! Since f'(x) is a constant for |x|> 2, y= f(x) is a line with slope -1 for x< -2 and x> 2.

f&#039;&#039;(x) &lt; if -2 &lt; x &lt; 0 : I believe f is concave down on (-2, 0)
inflection point (0, 1) : I believe concavity changes at this point.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Yes, the curve is concave down between -2 and 0 and concave up between 0 and 2. Your graph should be a straight line with slope -1 for x< -2, then an "s" curve going up to a maximum at x= -1 then down to a minimum at x= 1, then up to x= 2 where the graph changes to a straight line with slope -1.
The only y-value you are given is that f(0)= 1 since we are told that there is an inflection point at (0,1). There are, of course, an infinite number of graphs, y= f(x), that satisfy these conditions.
 
Thanks again, HallsofIvy. I appreciate you giving the extra explanations. They help me understand these concepts a little more.
 

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