Calculus Examples

$\frac{1}{6} x^{4} + x^{3} - 10 x^{2}$

Step 1

Write $\frac{1}{6} x^{4} + x^{3} - 10 x^{2}$ as a function.

$f (x) = \frac{1}{6} x^{4} + x^{3} - 10 x^{2}$

Step 2

Find the $x$ values where the second derivative is equal to $0$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1

Find the second derivative.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1

Find the first derivative.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1.1

By the Sum Rule, the derivative of $\frac{1}{6} x^{4} + x^{3} - 10 x^{2}$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{d}{d x} [\frac{1}{6} x^{4}] + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$ .

$\frac{d}{d x} [\frac{1}{6} x^{4}] + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2

Evaluate $\frac{d}{d x} [\frac{1}{6} x^{4}]$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1.2.1

Since $\frac{1}{6}$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $\frac{1}{6} x^{4}$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{1}{6} \frac{d}{d x} [x^{4}]$ .

$\frac{1}{6} \frac{d}{d x} [x^{4}] + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 4$ .

$\frac{1}{6} (4 x^{3}) + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2.3

Combine $4$ and $\frac{1}{6}$ .

$\frac{4}{6} x^{3} + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2.4

Combine $\frac{4}{6}$ and $x^{3}$ .

$\frac{4 x^{3}}{6} + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2.5

Cancel the common factor of $4$ and $6$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1.2.5.1

Factor $2$ out of $4 x^{3}$ .

$\frac{2 (2 x^{3})}{6} + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2.5.2

Cancel the common factors.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1.2.5.2.1

Factor $2$ out of $6$ .

$\frac{2 (2 x^{3})}{2 (3)} + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2.5.2.2

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{2 (2 x^{3})}{2 \cdot 3} + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.2.5.2.3

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{2 x^{3}}{3} + \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.3

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 3$ .

$\frac{2 x^{3}}{3} + 3 x^{2} + \frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.4

Evaluate $\frac{d}{d x} [- 10 x^{2}]$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.1.4.1

Since $- 10$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $- 10 x^{2}$ with respect to $x$ is $- 10 \frac{d}{d x} [x^{2}]$ .

$\frac{2 x^{3}}{3} + 3 x^{2} - 10 \frac{d}{d x} [x^{2}]$

Step 2.1.1.4.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 2$ .

$\frac{2 x^{3}}{3} + 3 x^{2} - 10 (2 x)$

Step 2.1.1.4.3

Multiply $2$ by $- 10$ .

$f' (x) = \frac{2 x^{3}}{3} + 3 x^{2} - 20 x$

Step 2.1.2

Find the second derivative.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.1

By the Sum Rule, the derivative of $\frac{2 x^{3}}{3} + 3 x^{2} - 20 x$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{d}{d x} [\frac{2 x^{3}}{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$ .

$\frac{d}{d x} [\frac{2 x^{3}}{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2

Evaluate $\frac{d}{d x} [\frac{2 x^{3}}{3}]$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.2.1

Since $\frac{2}{3}$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $\frac{2 x^{3}}{3}$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{2}{3} \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}]$ .

$\frac{2}{3} \frac{d}{d x} [x^{3}] + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 3$ .

$\frac{2}{3} (3 x^{2}) + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.3

Combine $3$ and $\frac{2}{3}$ .

$\frac{3 \cdot 2}{3} x^{2} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.4

Multiply $3$ by $2$ .

$\frac{6}{3} x^{2} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.5

Combine $\frac{6}{3}$ and $x^{2}$ .

$\frac{6 x^{2}}{3} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.6

Cancel the common factor of $6$ and $3$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.2.6.1

Factor $3$ out of $6 x^{2}$ .

$\frac{3 (2 x^{2})}{3} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.6.2

Cancel the common factors.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.2.6.2.1

Factor $3$ out of $3$ .

$\frac{3 (2 x^{2})}{3 (1)} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.6.2.2

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{3 (2 x^{2})}{3 \cdot 1} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.6.2.3

Rewrite the expression.

$\frac{2 x^{2}}{1} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.2.6.2.4

Divide $2 x^{2}$ by $1$ .

$2 x^{2} + \frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.3

Evaluate $\frac{d}{d x} [3 x^{2}]$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.3.1

Since $3$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $3 x^{2}$ with respect to $x$ is $3 \frac{d}{d x} [x^{2}]$ .

$2 x^{2} + 3 \frac{d}{d x} [x^{2}] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.3.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 2$ .

$2 x^{2} + 3 (2 x) + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.3.3

Multiply $2$ by $3$ .

$2 x^{2} + 6 x + \frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$

Step 2.1.2.4

Evaluate $\frac{d}{d x} [- 20 x]$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.1.2.4.1

Since $- 20$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $- 20 x$ with respect to $x$ is $- 20 \frac{d}{d x} [x]$ .

$2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20 \frac{d}{d x} [x]$

Step 2.1.2.4.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 1$ .

$2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20 \cdot 1$

Step 2.1.2.4.3

Multiply $- 20$ by $1$ .

$f'' (x) = 2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20$

Step 2.1.3

The second derivative of $f (x)$ with respect to $x$ is $2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20$ .

$2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20$

Step 2.2

Set the second derivative equal to $0$ then solve the equation $2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20 = 0$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.1

Set the second derivative equal to $0$ .

$2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20 = 0$

Step 2.2.2

Factor the left side of the equation.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.1

Factor $2$ out of $2 x^{2} + 6 x - 20$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.1.1

Factor $2$ out of $2 x^{2}$ .

$2 (x^{2}) + 6 x - 20 = 0$

Step 2.2.2.1.2

Factor $2$ out of $6 x$ .

$2 (x^{2}) + 2 (3 x) - 20 = 0$

Step 2.2.2.1.3

Factor $2$ out of $- 20$ .

$2 x^{2} + 2 (3 x) + 2 \cdot - 10 = 0$

Step 2.2.2.1.4

Factor $2$ out of $2 x^{2} + 2 (3 x)$ .

$2 (x^{2} + 3 x) + 2 \cdot - 10 = 0$

Step 2.2.2.1.5

Factor $2$ out of $2 (x^{2} + 3 x) + 2 \cdot - 10$ .

$2 (x^{2} + 3 x - 10) = 0$

Step 2.2.2.2

Factor.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.2.1

Factor $x^{2} + 3 x - 10$ using the AC method.

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.2.2.1.1

Consider the form $x^{2} + b x + c$ . Find a pair of integers whose product is $c$ and whose sum is $b$ . In this case, whose product is $- 10$ and whose sum is $3$ .

$- 2, 5$

Step 2.2.2.2.1.2

Write the factored form using these integers.

$2 ((x - 2) (x + 5)) = 0$

Step 2.2.2.2.2

Remove unnecessary parentheses.

$2 (x - 2) (x + 5) = 0$

Step 2.2.3

If any individual factor on the left side of the equation is equal to $0$ , the entire expression will be equal to $0$ .

$x - 2 = 0$

$x + 5 = 0$

Step 2.2.4

Set $x - 2$ equal to $0$ and solve for $x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.4.1

Set $x - 2$ equal to $0$ .

$x - 2 = 0$

Step 2.2.4.2

Add $2$ to both sides of the equation.

$x = 2$

Step 2.2.5

Set $x + 5$ equal to $0$ and solve for $x$ .

Tap for more steps...

Step 2.2.5.1

Set $x + 5$ equal to $0$ .

$x + 5 = 0$

Step 2.2.5.2

Subtract $5$ from both sides of the equation.

$x = - 5$

Step 2.2.6

The final solution is all the values that make $2 (x - 2) (x + 5) = 0$ true.

$x = 2, - 5$

Step 3

The domain of the expression is all real numbers except where the expression is undefined. In this case, there is no real number that makes the expression undefined.

Interval Notation:

$(- \infty, \infty)$

Set-Builder Notation:

${x | x \in ℝ}$

Step 4

Create intervals around the $x$ -values where the second derivative is zero or undefined.

$(- \infty, - 5) \cup (- 5, 2) \cup (2, \infty)$

Step 5

Substitute any number from the interval $(- \infty, - 5)$ into the second derivative and evaluate to determine the concavity.

Tap for more steps...

Step 5.1

Replace the variable $x$ with $- 8$ in the expression.

$f'' (- 8) = 2 {(- 8)}^{2} + 6 (- 8) - 20$

Step 5.2

Simplify the result.

Tap for more steps...

Step 5.2.1

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 5.2.1.1

Raise $- 8$ to the power of $2$ .

$f'' (- 8) = 2 \cdot 64 + 6 (- 8) - 20$

Step 5.2.1.2

Multiply $2$ by $64$ .

$f'' (- 8) = 128 + 6 (- 8) - 20$

Step 5.2.1.3

Multiply $6$ by $- 8$ .

$f'' (- 8) = 128 - 48 - 20$

Step 5.2.2

Simplify by subtracting numbers.

Tap for more steps...

Step 5.2.2.1

Subtract $48$ from $128$ .

$f'' (- 8) = 80 - 20$

Step 5.2.2.2

Subtract $20$ from $80$ .

$f'' (- 8) = 60$

Step 5.2.3

The final answer is $60$ .

$60$

Step 5.3

The graph is concave up on the interval $(- \infty, - 5)$ because $f'' (- 8)$ is positive.

Concave up on $(- \infty, - 5)$ since $f'' (x)$ is positive

Step 6

Substitute any number from the interval $(- 5, 2)$ into the second derivative and evaluate to determine the concavity.

Tap for more steps...

Step 6.1

Replace the variable $x$ with $0$ in the expression.

$f'' (0) = 2 {(0)}^{2} + 6 (0) - 20$

Step 6.2

Simplify the result.

Tap for more steps...

Step 6.2.1

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 6.2.1.1

Raising $0$ to any positive power yields $0$ .

$f'' (0) = 2 \cdot 0 + 6 (0) - 20$

Step 6.2.1.2

Multiply $2$ by $0$ .

$f'' (0) = 0 + 6 (0) - 20$

Step 6.2.1.3

Multiply $6$ by $0$ .

$f'' (0) = 0 + 0 - 20$

Step 6.2.2

Simplify by adding and subtracting.

Tap for more steps...

Step 6.2.2.1

Add $0$ and $0$ .

$f'' (0) = 0 - 20$

Step 6.2.2.2

Subtract $20$ from $0$ .

$f'' (0) = - 20$

Step 6.2.3

The final answer is $- 20$ .

$- 20$

Step 6.3

The graph is concave down on the interval $(- 5, 2)$ because $f'' (0)$ is negative.

Concave down on $(- 5, 2)$ since $f'' (x)$ is negative

Step 7

Substitute any number from the interval $(2, \infty)$ into the second derivative and evaluate to determine the concavity.

Tap for more steps...

Step 7.1

Replace the variable $x$ with $4$ in the expression.

$f'' (4) = 2 {(4)}^{2} + 6 (4) - 20$

Step 7.2

Simplify the result.

Tap for more steps...

Step 7.2.1

Simplify each term.

Tap for more steps...

Step 7.2.1.1

Raise $4$ to the power of $2$ .

$f'' (4) = 2 \cdot 16 + 6 (4) - 20$

Step 7.2.1.2

Multiply $2$ by $16$ .

$f'' (4) = 32 + 6 (4) - 20$

Step 7.2.1.3

Multiply $6$ by $4$ .

$f'' (4) = 32 + 24 - 20$

Step 7.2.2

Simplify by adding and subtracting.

Tap for more steps...

Step 7.2.2.1

Add $32$ and $24$ .

$f'' (4) = 56 - 20$

Step 7.2.2.2

Subtract $20$ from $56$ .

$f'' (4) = 36$

Step 7.2.3

The final answer is $36$ .

$36$

Step 7.3

The graph is concave up on the interval $(2, \infty)$ because $f'' (4)$ is positive.

Concave up on $(2, \infty)$ since $f'' (x)$ is positive

Step 8

The graph is concave down when the second derivative is negative and concave up when the second derivative is positive.

Concave up on $(- \infty, - 5)$ since $f'' (x)$ is positive

Concave down on $(- 5, 2)$ since $f'' (x)$ is negative

Concave up on $(2, \infty)$ since $f'' (x)$ is positive

Step 9