What does it mean when a function does not have any critical numbers. Please explain ALL possibilities of what this means. For example, the function f(x)= (5x)/ (x^2-25) has no critical numbers.

College Algebra
1st Edition
ISBN:9781938168383
Author:Jay Abramson
Publisher:Jay Abramson
Chapter3: Functions
Section3.3: Rates Of Change And Behavior Of Graphs
Problem 3SE: How are the absolute maximum and minimum similar to and different from the local extrema?
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What does it mean when a function does not have any critical numbers. Please explain ALL possibilities of what this means. For example, the function f(x)= (5x)/ (x^2-25) has no critical numbers. 

Expert Solution
Step 1

Critical numbers for any function are defined as the real number x in the domain of the function where the function is either not defined or the derivative of function is 0 or undefined.

 

Case 1: If no critical points exist for any function then graphically it represents that the function is either strictly increasing or strictly decreasing in domain of function.

Case 2: Other than case 1 there is one more possibility that, the function can be strictly increasing in one part of domain and strictly decreasing in the other part of domain.

In the other case, the function is undefine at the points where the function changes its characteristic from strictly increasing to strictly decreasing.

Step 2

Now, consider the given function f (x).

The critical points for f (x) exist at x = -5 and 5.

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