Calculus Volume 1

Chapter 4 | Applications of Derivatives

429

x 2 1− x 2

x 2 1− x 2

lim x →1 +

=−∞and lim x →1 −

=∞.

In addition, by looking at each one-sided limit as x →−1, we find that lim x →−1 + x 2 1− x 2 =∞and lim x →−1 − x 2 1− x 2

=−∞.

Step 5. Calculate the first derivative:

⎛ ⎝ 1− x 2

⎞ ⎠ (2 x )− x 2 (−2 x ) ⎛ ⎝ 1− x 2 ⎞ ⎠ 2

x

f ′( x ) =

= 2

2 .

⎛ ⎝ 1− x 2

⎞ ⎠

Critical points occur at points x where f ′( x ) =0 or f ′( x ) is undefined. We see that f ′( x ) =0 when x =0. The derivative f ′ is not undefined at any point in the domain of f . However, x =±1 are not in the domain of f . Therefore, to determine where f is increasing and where f is decreasing, divide the interval (−∞, ∞) into four smaller intervals: (−∞, −1), (−1, 0), (0, 1), and (1, ∞), and choose a test point in each interval to determine the sign of f ′( x ) in each of these intervals. The values x =−2, x = − 1 2 , x = 1 2 , and x =2 are good choices for test points as shown in the following table. Interval Test Point Sign of f ′ ( x ) = 2 x ⎛ ⎝ 1− x 2 ⎞ ⎠ 2 Conclusion

(−∞, −1)

x =−2

−/+ =−

f is decreasing.

(−1, 0)

x =−1/2

−/+ =−

f is decreasing.

(0, 1)

x =1/2

+/+ = +

f is increasing.

(1, ∞)

x =2

+/+ = +

f is increasing.

From this analysis, we conclude that f has a local minimum at x =0 but no local maximum. Step 6. Calculate the second derivative:

Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online