Find the maximum number of turning points for f(x) = x5 + 3x2 + 4x - 1

Select one:
a. 4
b. 5
c. 2
d. 3

Question

Find the maximum number of turning points for f(x) = x5 + 3x2 + 4x - 1

Select one:
a. 4
b. 5
c. 2
d. 3

1645323 · Answer

@phi @Compassionate @mathgeek1

1645323 · Answer

@whpalmer4 @thomaster @jim_thompson5910

1645323 · Answer

@AravindG

1645323 · Answer

is it 2?

phi · Answer

$$ f(x) = x^5 + 3x^2 + 4x - 1 $$
the number of "zeros" where the function crosses the x-axis is the *highest exponent"
the maximum number of "turning points"  is one less than the number of zeros.

1645323 · Answer

but can you solve this by graphing?

1645323 · Answer

and just count how many times it turns?

phi · Answer

I think they are asking a "theoretical" question.  It is a bit unclear, but I think they are testing if you know that the max number of turning points is n-1  where n is the "order" of the equation

1645323 · Answer

so 5-1=4 turning points?

phi · Answer

yes