Calculus (3rd Edition)

Published by W. H. Freeman
ISBN 10: 1464125260
ISBN 13: 978-1-46412-526-3

Chapter 7 - Exponential Functions - 7.1 Derivative of f(x)=bx and the Number e - Exercises - Page 327: 50

Answer

$ x=0, -2$, $ f(x) $ has a local minimum at $ x=0$ and local maximum at $ x=-2$.

Work Step by Step

To find the critical point, we put $ f'(x)=0$, so we have $$ f(x)=x^2 e^{x}\Longrightarrow f'(x)=2xe^{x}+x^2e^{x}=(x^2+2x)e^{x}=0,$$ then $ x(x+2)=0$ and hence $ x=0$ or $ x=-2$. So the critical points are $ x=0$ and $ x=-2$.. Moreover, we have $$ f''(x)=(2x+2 )e^{x}+(x^2+2x)e^{x}$$ then $$ f''(0)=2>0, \quad f''(-2)=-2e^{-2}<0. $$ Then $ f(x) $ has a local minimum at $ x=0$ and local maximum at $ x=-2$.
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