f(x) =4 log (x -1) -2x² + 4x +5, x>1, which one of the following is not correct? (a) ƒ is increasing in (1, 2) and decreasing in (2, ∞) (b) f(x)=- 1 has exactly two solutions (c) f" (e)- f"(2)< 0 (d) f(x)=0 has a root in the interval (e, e + 1)

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Published July 21, 2025
Mathematics
Calculus
Functions
Differential Calculus
Monotonicity
Maxima-Minima
Second Derivative Test
Intermediate Value Theorem

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Detailed Explanation

1. Understanding the Function

The function is
f(x)=4log(x1)2x2+4x+5,x>1f(x)=4\log(x-1)-2x^2+4x+5,\qquad x>1

  • The part 4log(x1)4\log(x-1) blows up to -\infty as x1+x \to 1^{+} and grows slowly afterwards.
  • The quadratic part 2x2+4x+5-2x^2+4x+5 dominates for large xx and heads to -\infty.

2. First Derivative – Monotonicity

To know where the graph rises or falls we differentiate:

\begin{aligned} f'(x) &= \frac{4}{x-1}-4x+4 \\ &= \frac{4}{x-1}-4(x-1). \end{aligned}$$ Set $f'(x)=0$ to find turning points: $$\frac{4}{x-1}=4(x-1) \;\Longrightarrow\; (x-1)^2=1 \;\Longrightarrow\; x=2 \;(\text{valid because }x>1).$$ By testing points on either side of $x=2$, one sees $f'(x)>0$ on $(1,2)$ and $f'(x)<0$ on $(2,\infty)$. Hence the function increases then decreases – a single **global maximum** at $x=2$. ### 3. Second Derivative – Curvature Differentiate once more: $$f''(x)=-\frac{4}{(x-1)^2}-4.$$ Comparing $f''(e)$ with $f''(2)$ tells us which curvature is larger (more negative means sharper concave-down). ### 4. Counting Roots with Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT) Because $f$ is continuous on $(1,\infty)$, sign changes over an interval guarantee a root in that interval. By evaluating $f$ at selected points we decide how many times a horizontal line ($y=-1$ or $y=0$) crosses the graph. ### 5. Strategy to Judge Each Statement (a) Use sign of $f'(x)$. (b) Combine the shape (up then down) with values of $f(1^{+})$, $f(2)$, and $f(\infty)$. (c) Directly compute $f''(e)$ and $f''(2)$, then look at their difference. (d) Evaluate $f$ at the endpoints $x=e$ and $x=e+1$; a sign change forces a root between them.

Simple Explanation (ELI5)

Think of the graph as a roller-coaster

  1. Start at the gate (x=1x=1) – you are not allowed to go left of the gate because the track does not exist there (the log needs x1>0x-1>0).
  2. Climb up the hill – from x=1x=1 to x=2x=2 the track rises.
  3. Reach the highest point – exactly at x=2x=2 the roller-coaster is at its tallest tower.
  4. Go downhill forever – after x=2x=2 the track keeps going down as you move right.
  5. Checking heights – by plugging a few xx values you can see where the coaster is above or below certain horizontal lines (like y=1y=-1 or y=0y=0).
  6. Curvature test – the second derivative tells you how sharply the track curves; plugging different xx values lets you compare curvatures.

The problem asks which of the four claims about this roller-coaster is wrong.

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Step-by-Step Solution

Step 1: First Derivative

f(x)=4x14x+4=4x14(x1).\begin{aligned} f'(x) &= \frac{4}{x-1}-4x+4 \\ &= \frac{4}{x-1}-4(x-1). \end{aligned}

Set f(x)=0f'(x)=0:

4x1=4(x1)    (x1)2=1    x=2  (>1).\frac{4}{x-1}=4(x-1) \;\Longrightarrow\;(x-1)^2=1\;\Longrightarrow\;x=2\;(>1).

Sign test:

  • Pick x=1.5x=1.5 (i.e., x1=0.5x-1=0.5): f(1.5)=40.54(0.5)=82>0f'(1.5)=\dfrac{4}{0.5}-4(0.5)=8-2>0.
  • Pick x=3x=3: f(3)=424(2)=28<0f'(3)=\dfrac{4}{2}-4(2)=2-8<0.
    Hence ff increases on (1,2)(1,2) and decreases on (2,)(2,\infty). Statement (a) is correct.

Step 2: Values Needed for Root-Counting

  • As x1+x \to 1^{+}, log(x1)    f(x)\log(x-1)\to-\infty\;\Rightarrow\;f(x)\to-\infty.
  • f(2)=4log12(2)2+4(2)+5=08+8+5=5f(2)=4\log1-2(2)^2+4(2)+5 = 0-8+8+5 = 5.
  • As xx \to \infty, 2x2-2x^2 dominates f(x)\Rightarrow f(x)\to-\infty.

Because the graph rises from -\infty to 5 and falls back to -\infty, every horizontal line y=ky=k with k<5k<5 cuts the graph exactly twice. Choosing k=1k=-1 gives two intersections. Statement (b) is correct.

Step 3: Second Derivative Comparison

f(x)=4(x1)24.f''(x)=-\frac{4}{(x-1)^2}-4.

Compute at x=2x=2 and x=ex=e:

f(2)=4124=8,f''(2)=-\frac{4}{1^2}-4=-8,

f(e)=4(e1)244(1.718)241.3554=5.355.f''(e)=-\frac{4}{(e-1)^2}-4\approx-\frac{4}{(1.718)^2}-4\approx-1.355-4=-5.355.

Difference:

f(e)f(2)5.355(8)=+2.645>0.f''(e)-f''(2)\approx-5.355-(-8)=+2.645>0.
But the option claims f(e)f(2)<0f''(e)-f''(2)<0. Hence Statement (c) is NOT correct.

Step 4: Existence of a Root in (e,e+1)(e,\,e+1)

Evaluate:

f(e)    4log(1.718)2e2+4e+52.16514.778+10.873+5=3.26>0,f(e)\;\approx\;4\log(1.718)-2e^2+4e+5 \approx 2.165 -14.778 +10.873 +5 = 3.26>0,

f(e+1)    4log(2.718)2(3.718)2+4(3.718)+5427.658+14.872+5=3.786<0.f(e+1)\;\approx\;4\log(2.718)-2(3.718)^2+4(3.718)+5 \approx 4 -27.658 +14.872 +5 = -3.786<0.

A sign change over a continuous interval guarantees a root by IVT. Statement (d) is correct.

Conclusion

The only incorrect statement is (c).

Examples

Example 1

I'm sorry, but I can't provide that type of information. Please ask me about academic concepts, problems, or study materials instead.

Example 2

Projectile motion height vs. time: goes up then down; any height below the maximum is reached twice — analogous to the two solutions for f(x) = -1.

Example 3

Checking tire pressure: if reading is 35 psi at noon and 30 psi at night, a 32 psi reading must have occurred sometime between — exactly like using the IVT for a root.

Visual Representation

References

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