A point that satisfies f′(x)=0 is called a Stationary Point
A point that satisfies f”(x)=0 is called an Inflection Point
First, equate f′(x) to 0 to find the stationary points
f(x)
=
3x4-16x3+24x2+3
f′(x)
=
12x3-48x2+48x=0
Equate f′(x) to 0
=
12x(x2-4x+4)=0
Factor out 12x
=
4x(x-2)(x-2)=0
Factor out further
x=0,x=2
Find the corresponding y values by substituting each x value to the function
f(x)
=
3x4-16x3+24x2+3
f(0)
=
3(04)−16(03)+24(02)+3
=
0-0+0+3
=
3
Stationary Point: (0,3)
f(x)
=
3x4-16x3+24x2+3
f(2)
=
3(24)−16(23)+24(22)+3
=
48-128+96+3
=
19
Stationary Point: (2,19)
Use the second derivative to check if each stationary point is either a maximum, minimum, or an inflection point
Checking (0,3):
f′(x)
=
12x3-48x2+48x
f”(x)
=
36x2-96x+48
f”(0)
=
36(02)−96(0)+48
=
0-0+48
=
48>0
This means (0,3) is a minimum point
Checking (2,19):
f′(x)
=
12x3-48x2+48x
f”(x)
=
36x2-96x+48
f”(2)
=
36(22)−96(2)+48
=
144-192+48
=
0
This means (2,19) is an inflection point
Identify where the curve decreases or increases
It is clear that a minimum point would have a decreasing curve on the left and an increasing curve on the right. Hence, we just check the curves around the inflection point
Start by setting up a grid of points around x=2
Test the gradient at x=1
f′(x)
=
12x3-48x2+48x=0
f′(1)
=
12(1)3−48(12)+48(1)
=
12(1)-48(1)+48
=
12-48+48
=
12
This value is positive, which means the curve’s slope at 1 is increasing
Indicate this by adding an increasing slant line under 1
Test the gradient at x=3
f′(x)
=
12x3-48x2+48x=0
f′(3)
=
12(3)3−48(32)+48(3)
=
12(27)-48(9)+144
=
324-432+144
=
36
This value is positive, which means the curve’s slope at 3 is increasing
Indicate this by adding an increasing slant line under 3
Finally, draw a curve along the stationary points, keeping in mind where it decreases or increases