(c) Find the critical points of \( f(x)=x^{1 / 3}(x-4) \). Sketch the graph of \( f(x) \).
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To find the critical points of \( f(x) = x^{1/3}(x-4) \), we first need to compute the derivative \( f'(x) \). Using the product rule, we have: \[ f'(x) = \frac{1}{3}x^{-2/3}(x - 4) + x^{1/3}(1) = x^{-2/3}\left(\frac{1}{3}(x - 4) + x\right) = x^{-2/3}\left(\frac{4}{3}x - \frac{4}{3}\right) = \frac{4(x - 3)}{3x^{2/3}}. \] Setting \( f'(x) = 0 \) gives us \( x - 3 = 0 \), or \( x = 3 \) as a critical point. We also consider where the derivative is undefined; this occurs at \( x = 0 \). To sketch the graph of \( f(x) \), note that: - At \( x = 0 \), \( f(0) = 0 \). - At \( x = 3 \), \( f(3) = 3^{1/3}(3-4) = -\frac{3\sqrt[3]{3}}{3} = -\sqrt[3]{3} \). - At \( x = 4 \), \( f(4) = 4^{1/3}(4-4) = 0 \). The function has the following intervals for behavior analysis: - On \( (-\infty, 0) \), \( f(x) \) will approach \( 0 \). - On \( (0, 3) \), \( f(x) \) decreases and touches zero at \( (0,0) \) and reaches a negative value at \( x=3 \). - On \( (3, 4) \), \( f(x) \) increases to touch the x-axis again at \( x=4 \). Thus, the graph will showcase a curve starting from the origin, dipping below the x-axis at \( x=3 \), and rising back to touch the axis at \( x=4 \). Now you can visualize a connected and continuous graph cutting through the points identified to get an idea of how \( f(x) \) behaves overall!