I.B.

Mathematics HL Core: Curve Sketching Index: Please click on the question number you want Question 1 Question 2 Question 3

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Question 1 The graph of the function : x x + a +

1 is given below. The graph has an x+b oblique asymptote and a vertical asymptote. The equations of the asymptotes are marked on the graph.
y
y = x+3

x = 1

a.

By considering the equations of the asymptotes, write down the values of a and b Solve the equation ( x ) = 0 .

b. c.

Show that ' ( x ) = 1

( x + 1)

and hence find " ( x ) .

d.

Hence find the coordinates of any stationary points and show algebraically whether they are maximum or minimum points. Show that there are no points of inflexion. State the domain and range of .

e. f.

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Solution to question 1 a.

The graph has an oblique asymptote with equation y = x + 3 and a vertical asymptote with equation x = 1. Hence a = 3 and b = 1. Hence 1 : x x +3+ x +1 For ( x ) = 0

b.

( x + 2)
x +1
c.

( x + 3 )( x + 1) + 1 = 0 x 2 + 4 x + 4 = 0 1 x +3+ =0 x +1 x +1 x +1
2

= 0 , but x + 1 0 x + 2 = 0 x = 2

(x) = x + 3 +

1 1 = x + 3 + ( x + 1) x +1 1 ' ( x ) = 1 ( x + 1)2 = 1 as required. 2 ( x + 1) 2

" ( x ) = 2( x + 1)3 =

( x + 1)

d.

For stationary points ' ( x ) = 0 , hence

but

( x + 1) 1 = 0 x 2 + 2 x = 0 1 =0 2 2 2 ( x + 1) ( x + 1) ( x + 1) x + 1 0 x 2 + 2x = 0 x ( x + 2 ) = 0
1
2

x = 0 or x + 2 = 0 x = 2 2 " ( 2 ) = < 0 , therefore x = 2 is a maximum point 3 ( 2 + 1) " (0) = 2

( 0 + 1)

> 0 , therefore x = 0 is a minimum point

1 = 1 1 = 0 ( 2 ) + 1 1 (0) = (0) + 3 + = 3 +1= 4 (0) + 1 ( 2 ) = ( 2 ) + 3 +

Max (-2, 0) Min (0, 4)

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e.

For points of inflexion " ( x ) = 0

( x + 1)

= 0 but this is not possible.

Therefore there are no points of inflexion.

f.

From the graph the domain is { x ! x 1} and the range is

{y ! y 0 or y 4} .

Drawing ( x ) = x + 3 +

1 and its asymptotes (in orange), using the graphics x +1 calculator in the GRAPH Menu with the View Window set as shown below, we have

To find the root, local maximum and minimum press SHIFT F5 GSOLV followed by F1 for Root, F2 for Max and F3 for Min.

From the calculator we have the x-intercept at (-2, 0), local maximum at (-2, 0) and local minimum at (0, 4).
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Question 2

The function is given by ( x ) = x ln x 2 ,

a. b.

State the x-intercepts and the domain of this function.

i.

Show that ' ( x ) = 2 + ln x 2 and find " ( x )

Hence
ii. iii.

Prove that the graph of can have only two stationary points. Find the exact coordinates of these points and determine whether they are maximum or minimum points. Determine whether there are any points of inflexion.

iv. c.

Sketch the graph of showing clearly what you have found. State the range of the function.

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Solution to question 2 a.

Using the graphics calculator we can get an idea of the curve. In the GRAPH Menu write in x ln x 2 followed by SHIFT to set the view window. Press EXIT followed by F6 DRAW. To find the roots press SHIFT F5

GSLV, then F1 ROOT. The Calculator gives x = 1. Press the right reply button to get the second root x = 1 . Notice x = 0 is not a root as x ln x 2 is undefined for this value of x.

To find x-intercepts, algebraically put ( x ) = 0 x ln x 2 = 0 hence either x = 0 , which is not possible as ln x is not defined at x = 0 . Hence ln x 2 = 0 x 2 = e0 x 2 = 1 x = 1. The x intercepts are at (-1, 0) and (1, 0). The domain is { x ! x 0} .
b. i.

( x ) = x ln x 2 using the product rule

2x 2 2x ' ( x ) = x 2 + ln x 2 (1) = 2 + ln x 2 and " ( x ) = 2 = x x x

ii.

For stationary points ' ( x ) = 0 2 + ln x 2 = 0 ln x 2 = 2 x 2 = e 2 x = e 1 = therefore there are only two stationary points.
1 , e

iii.

1 2 1 " = = 2e < 0, therefore x = is a local maximum. e e 1 e 1 2 1 " = = 2e > 0, therefore x = is a local minimum. e e 1 e

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1 1 1 2 1 2 1 = ln = lne 2 = . , is a local maximum. e e e e e e e 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 = ln = lne 2 = . , is a local minimum. e e e e e e e

2

Or by the calculator press SHIFT G-SLV followed by F2 MAX for the maximum point or F3 MIN for the minimum point.

iv.

The calculator gives a Max(-0.368, 0.736) and a Min (0.368, -0.736). It should be noted that these answers are not exact, as the question required. 2 For points of inflexion " ( x ) = 0 but 0 , therefore there are no x points of inflexion.

c.

The sketch with the exact answers

y = x ln x 2

1 2 , e e

-1
1 2 e, e

Range y !
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Question 3

Consider the following graph of y = ( x ) .

NOT TO SCALE

y = (x)
4

(6, -716)

a. b. c. d. e. f.

If " ( x ) = 12 x 8 , find the x-coordinate of the point of inflexion. At (6, -716) there is a minimum point. Find ' ( x ) . The curve cuts the y-axis at y = 4 . Find ( x ) . Find the y-coordinate of the y-coordinate of the point of inflexion. Find the coordinates of the maximum point. Solve the equation ( x ) = 0 , giving your answers correct to 5 significant figures.

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Solution to question 3
NOT TO SCALE

y y = (x)
4

(6, -716)

a.

" ( x ) = 12 x 8 for a point of inflexion

" ( x ) = 0 12 x 8 = 0 x =

8 2 = 12 3

b.

At (6, -716) there is a minimum point. Find ' ( x ) . " ( x ) = 12 x 8

'(x ) =

But ' ( 6 ) = 0 6 ( 6 ) 8 ( 6 ) + C = 0
2

(12x 8) dx = 6x
2

8x + C

168 + C = 0

Hence ' ( x ) = 6 x 8 x 168

c.
(x) =

C = 168

But ( 0 ) = 4 2 ( 0 ) 4 ( 0 ) 168 ( 0 ) + K = 4
3 2

( 6x

8 x 168 dx = 2 x 3 4 x 2 168 x + K

0+K = 4

( x ) = 2 x 3 4 x 2 168 x + 4

K =4

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d.

2 2 2 2 = 2 4 168 + 4 3 3 3 3 2948 5 8 4 2 = 2 4 9 168 3 + 4 = 27 = 109 27 27

e.

For a maximum point ' ( x ) = 0

6 x 2 8 x 168 = 0 x = 6 or x = 4
3 2

2 3

14 14 14 14 = 2 4 168 + 4 3 3 3 3 17 2744 196 14 = 2 4 9 168 3 + 4 = 497 27 27 17 2 The maximum point is 4 , 497 . 27 3

Or with the graphics calculator, using the view window as shown below. Press SHIFT F5 GSLV, followed by F2 MAX , the calculator gives (-4.67, 498), as the local maximum.

f.

Solve the equation ( x ) = 0 , giving your answers correct to Using the graphics calculator to find the roots of the graph we have

x = 8.2327, 0.023796 or 10.209 , correct to 5 significant figures.

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