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Mathematics 9 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

Need help on differentiables. Determining the values of constants

OpenStudy (anonymous):

\[f(x)=\left[\begin{matrix}6x^3 & x \le 1 \\ Bx+C & 1 < x\end{matrix}\right]\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

How do I find B and C

OpenStudy (abb0t):

1\(^\pm\)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Take the derivative of the function (each function separately), then make the derivative continuous.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Ok so i just take the derivitive of both: \[f'(x)=\left[\begin{matrix}18x^2 & x<=1 \\ B & 1<x\end{matrix}\right]\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Now insert \(x=1\) for both parts, and solve for \(B\)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

ok so: \[f'(x)=18(1)^2=18 = B\] Correct?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Yes.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Now you need to make the original function continuous.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

So: \[f(x)= 18(1)+C<1\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

So c=-17?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

No, the other equation to equal it to is \(6(1)^3\)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Oh ok so then f(x)=6 so then: \[18(1)+C=6\] Then I do this \[C=-12\]

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Correct?

myininaya (myininaya):

C and B values are both correct. Looking over your work though, I'm not sure you understand what wio was trying to get you to do.

myininaya (myininaya):

I'm saying your work could use a little work. :p But yes the answers are right.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Thats fine as long as your trying to help out :)

OpenStudy (anonymous):

So when I see a problem like this I take the derivative of both equations and make the darivative continuous. Then I go back and plug in B and make just f(x) continous.

myininaya (myininaya):

Basically they were trying to make the function f continue and also trying to make the function f' continuous Make the function f' continuous will make the function f differential if we choose the right values for B and C of course. So when we looked at f We did the left and right limit as x approaches 1. Set both the left limit expression and the right limit expression equal. We notice here we don't have enough info to solve for B and C, but we do have an equation relating C and B from the left limit expression=right limit expression equation. f(x)=6x^3 f(x)=Bx+C _________________|_________________ 1 You want both sides of 1 to be equal as they approach 1. So left limit expression is 6(1)^3 and the right limit expression is B(1)+C Remember you need to set these equal giving you that relationship between B and C that was talking about. Now we also need to find f' f'(x)=18x^2 f'(x)=B ----------------|---------------- 1 You do the same here that you did for the original function f. You set the left limit expression equal to the right limit expression as x approaches 1.

myininaya (myininaya):

I'm just making sure you understand so you can tackle problems like this in the future.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Ya it makes much more sense now. Thank you myininaya!

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