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Geometrical proof question (1 Viewer)

Restrictory1256

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Prove that the graph of y= ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d has two distinct turning points if
b^2> 3ac. Find values of a,b,c and d for which the graph of this form has turning points at (0.5, 1) and (1.5, -1)
 

ssglain

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To find turning pts - solve dy/dx = 0
dy/dx is going to be quadratic equation, by the looks of it. For a quadratic equation to have two distinct solutions (i.e. for the curve to have two distinct turning points), the discriminant (i.e. delta) must be greater than zero.

I'm late for work - I'll write up a full solution when I get a few minutes, but I trust you are able to work it out from here.
 

ssglain

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f(x) = y = ax³ + bx² + cx + d

f'(x) = 3ax² + 2bx + c

For stat pts, solve 3ax² + 2bx + c = 0

.: delta = (2b)² - 4(3a)(c) = 4b² - 12ac

Require delta > 0 for 2 distinct solutions.
i.e. 4b² - 12ac > 0
4b² > 12ac
.: b² > 3ac

Now, having turning pts at (0.5, 1) and (1.5, -1) has implications on both f(x) and f'(x). The following can be deduced:
f(0.5) = 1 --> a/8 + b/4 + c/2 + d = 1 --> a + 2b + 4c + 8d = 8 ...(1)
f(1.5) = -1 --> 27a/8 + 9b/4 + 3c/2 + d = -1 --> 27a + 18b + 12c + 8d = -8 ...(2)
f'(0.5) = 0 --> 3a/4 + b + c = 0 --> 3a + 4b + 4c = 0 ...(3)
f'(1.5) = 0 --> 27a/4 + 3b + c = 0 --> 27a + 12b + 4c = 0 ...(4)

From here it's just a matter of solving these simultaneous equations. Time for an algebraic crunch:

(4) - (3):
24a + 8b = 0
i.e. 3a + b = 0 ...(5)

(2) - (1):
26a + 16b + 8c = -16
but from (3): 4c = -3a - 4b --> 8c = - 6a - 8b
then 26a + 16b - 6a - 8b = -16
20a + 8b = -16
i.e. 5a + 2b = - 4 ...(6)

2*(5) - (6):
6a + 2b - 5a - 2b = 4
.: a = 4

put a = 4 in (5):
12 + b = 0
.: b = -12

put a = 4 and b = -12 in (1) and (2):
4 - 24 + 4c + 8d = 8
i.e. c + 2d = 7 ...(7)
& 108 -216 + 12c + 8d = -8
i.e. 3c + 2d = 25 ...(8)

(8) - (7):
2c = 18
.: c = 9

put c = 9 in (7):
9 + 2d = 7
.: d = -1

Hence the required equation is y = 4x³ - 12x² + 9x - 1.
 

kony

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i still can't believe you're taking all this time to type up the solutions. i'd just hand-write and then scan.

or not bother at all :rofl:
 

ssglain

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kony said:
i still can't believe you're taking all this time to type up the solutions. i'd just hand-write and then scan.

or not bother at all :rofl:
Shush. At least I'm helping. What are you doing? *smacks kony*
 

Slidey

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Why on earth does the poster want a geometrical proof?
 

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