1-40 Use the guidelines of this section to sketch the curve.

y = x 4 − 4 x

To sketch:

The curve of the given function.

1) Concept:

i) A domain is the set of x values that satisfy the function.

ii) To find x-intercept, put y=0, and to find y-intercept, put x=0 in the given function.

iii) Symmetry: To find symmetry, replace x by –x and check the behaviour of function. Thus, if f-x=fx, then it is an even function, so it has y-axis symmetry. If f-x=-fx, then it is an odd function, so it has x-axis symmetry. And if f-x≠-fx≠fx, then it has no symmetry.

iv) An asymptote is a tangent at infinity. To find horizontal, vertical, and slant asymptote, follow the rules.

v) A function is increasing if f'x>0  and decreasing if f'x<0 in that particular interval.

vi) The number f(c) is a local maximum value of f  if fc≥f(x) when x is near c and is a local minimum value of f if fc≤ f(x) when x is near c.

vii) If f''x>0, the function is concave up and if f''x<0, the function is concave down in that particular interval. And if f''x=0, give the values of inflection points.

2) Given:

y=x4-4x

3) Calculation:

Here, first find the domain of the given function and the x & y intercepts. Next, check the symmetry, asymptotes, intervals of increase and decrease, local maximum and minimum values, concavity, and points of inflection. Using these, sketch the curve.

A) Domain

Since y=x4-4x  is a polynomial, its domain is -∞, ∞ .

B) Intercepts

For y intercept, plug x=0  in the given function, and solve it for y.

y=04-40

y=0

y intercept is (0, 0).

For x intercept, plug y=0 in the original function, and solve it for x.

0=x4-4x .

x=0 and x=1.587

x intercepts are 0, 0 & (1.587, 0)

C) Symmetry

To find symmetry, replace each x by -x. Therefore,

f-x=-x4-4 (-x)

f-x= x4+4x

f-x ≠-fx≠fx

It’s neither odd nor an even function, so it has no symmetry

D) Asymptote

This is polynomial function, and it has no asymptotes.

E) Intervals of increase or decrease.

To find the intervals of increase or decrease, find the derivative of the given function.

f'x= 4x3-4

Equating this derivative with 0 gives us 4x3-4=0.

By using the quadratic formula, x=1. This is the critical point.

Using this critical point and the domain, create two intervals –

-∞ , 1 & (1 , ∞ )

Now, take a test point from each of the above intervals, and check whether the function is increasing or decreasing in that interval