Monday, September 29, 2014

Calculus and Its Applications, Chapter 1, Review Exercises, Section Review Exercises, Problem 34

Below is the graph of the function $y = g(x)$. Determine the points on the graph of $y = -x^2 + 8x -11$
at which the tangent line is horizontal.



Recall that the first derivative is equal to the slope of the tangent line at a certain point. So,
If the tangent line is horizontal, then the slope is equal to 0.

We are required to solve for the points where $y' = 0$. So,

$
\begin{equation}
\begin{aligned}
y' = \frac{d}{dx} \left[ -x^2 + 8x - 11 \right] &= 0 \\
\\
-2x + 8 &= 0 \\
\\
2x &= 8 \\
\\
x &= 4
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
$


Then by substitution,

$
\begin{equation}
\begin{aligned}
y &= -x^2 + 8x - 11\\
\\
&= -(4)^2 + 8(4) - 11\\
\\
&= 5
\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
$


Therefore, the point is $(4,5)$

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