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Geometrical Applications of Calculus (1 Viewer)

FDownes

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Oh man, another thread... Oh well. :eek: So, here's my problem;

Find the first and second derivatives of (5 - x)/(4x2 + 1)2

Pretty simple, although I must be making a mistake in my working somewhere... Can anyone help?
 

namburger

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First Derivative:
(12x^2 - 80x - 1) / (4x^2+1)^3
Second Derivative:
16 (12x^3 - 100x^2 - 3x + 5)/ (4x^2+1)^4
 

FDownes

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Could you go through your working please? I need to figure out where I was making the mistake.
 
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namburger

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Just using the quotient rule in each one, if there's a mistake, it will most likely be due to the immense amount of algebra. Try simplifying as much as possible to make life easier
EDIT: did you get first derivative right or are you stuck on second?
 

FDownes

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Stuck on the second.

EDIT: Nope, still can't get it right.
 
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namburger

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FDownes said:
Stuck on the second.
y' = (12x^2 - 80x - 1) / (4x^2+1)^3
Let A = 4x^2+1

y'' = [(24x-80)A^3 - 3A^2.8x.(12x^2 - 80x - 1)]/A^6
=[(24x-80)A^3 - 24xA^2.(12x^2 - 80x - 1)]/A^6
=[8(3x-10)A^3 - 24xA^2(12x^2 - 80x - 1)]/A^6
=8[(3x-10)A - 3x(12x^2 - 80x - 1)]/A^4
=8[(12x^3-40x^2+3x-10) - 3(12x^2-80x-1)]/A^4
=8[-24x^3+200x^2+6x-10]/A^4
=-16 (12x^3 - 100x^2 - 3x + 5)/ (4x^2+1)^4
 
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FDownes

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Sorry, I should have checked earlier, but the textbook has a different answer to what you've got there. According to it, the first derivative is;

(20x2 - 120x - 1)/(4x2 + 1)4

And the second derivative is;

[-8(60x3 - 420x2 - 9x + 15)]/(4x2 + 1)5

:confused:
 

namburger

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Ok if you got the same answer as me for the first derivative, that is quite a coincidence if the answer is wrong. I'll redo it, and see if i get the same answer

y=(5 - x)/(4x^2 + 1)^2
let A = 4x^2 + 1

y'= [-A^2 - 2A.8x.(5-x)]/A^4
= [-A - 16x(5-x)]/A^3
= [- 4x^2- 1- 80x+ 16^2]/A^3
= (12x^2-80x-1)/(4x^2+1)^3

Therefore textbook is wrong
 
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FDownes

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It's weird, but yes, I did work out the same answer. Sorry about putting you through all this trouble. :(
 

namburger

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lol NP
Just don't waste your time doing these questions with stupid values. Understand the process because you won't get these questions where algebra is a bitch and one mistake is fatal. The questions you get on diffrentiation should be usually simple, nothing to complex because they are looking if you are using the right process
 

YannY

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" don't waste your time doing these questions with stupid values. Understand the process "

Shit, its the new age confucius.

Lols jk
 

FDownes

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Thanks guys, but it looks like I've run in to more troubles;

Find the maximum possible area if a straight 8m length of fencing is placed across a corner to enclose a triangular space.

So, I figure

= A = 1/2xy
= x2 + y2 = 82
= y2 = 64 - x2
= y = (64 - x2)1/2
= A = 1/2x(64 - x2)1/2
= A' = 1/2(64 - x2)1/2 - x2/4(64 - x2)-1/2

After that, my working falls apart. Can someone help me out?

EDIT: Man I'm bad at this subject....

Find any stationary points or inflexions on the curve y = x(x - 2)3

I just end up with stat points at x = 0 and 2, where they should be points of inflexion at x = 2 and 1, and a minimum at 1/2.
 
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Mark576

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y=x(x-2)3
y'=(x-2)3+3x(x-2)2=(x-2)2(4x-2)
y'=0 will give the stationary points:
For y'=0, x=2,1/2.
y''=2(x-2)(4x-2)+4(x-2)2=(x-2)(8x-4+4x-8)=(x-2)(12x-12)
From this we find x=1, is a point of inflection, and x=2 is a horizontal point of inflection [as it satisfies y'=0 and y''=0], which we can verify by observing the sign of y'' as it passes through x=2.
Testing x=1/2 for maximum or minimum:
y''=(1/2-2)(6-12) > 0 => x=1/2 is a minimum stationary point.
 

FDownes

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Ugh... I'm such an idiot. Thanks.

Still stuck on the other questions though...
 

namburger

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A' = 1/2(64 - x<sup>2</sup>)<sup>1/2</sup> - x<sup>2</sup>/4(64 - x<sup>2</sup>)<sup>-1/2

Ill assume the top is correct
let A' = 0
Multiply both sides by
</sup>(64 - x<sup>2</sup>)<sup>1/2

(64-x^2)/2 - x^2/4 = 0
2(64-x^2)-x^2=0
128-3x^2=0
x=6.53(to 2.d.p.)
</sup>
 

FDownes

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Hmm... The answer in the book is 16m2, ergo my working for that question is probably wrong.

*sigh* This isn't good. I have a mathematics test on wednesday... :(
 
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namburger

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FDownes said:
Hmm... The answer in the book is 16m2, ergo my working for that question is probably wrong.

*sigh* This isn't good. I have a mathematics test on wednesday... :(
A = 1/2x(64 - x<sup>2</sup>)<sup>1/2

Sub in 6.53 and you get 15, which is quite close haha
</sup>
 

FDownes

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Ugh... MORE help needed;

Find the greatest and least values of the function f(x) = 4x3 - 3x2 - 18x in the domain -2 ≤ x ≤ 3.

Man I suck...
 

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