Find the inflection point of the function: f(x) = xe^-2x
\[f''(x)= -4e ^{-2x}(1-1x)\] I got this by finding the second derivative. So I know the inflection points are where f(x)=0 and f(1) should be one of these points, but in the book they give the answer as \[(1, e ^{-2})\]
Can someone explain where the e^-2 comes from.
@SolomonZelman
assuming you found the correct second derivative you find when f'' equals 0 which is when 1-x=0 x=1 plug in 1 into f f(1)=1*e^(-2*1)
the original function tells you where x occurs the derivative functions tell you the slope at x the derivative of the derivative function tells you the concavity at x
we want to know where we have an inflection point
you found the x at which it occurs
but to find where that x occurs (as in finding the corresponding y value) you need to use the original function
Ahhh @freckles thats right. Thanks :)
Join our real-time social learning platform and learn together with your friends!