To find the number of critical points of the function f(x)=(x−2)2/3(2x+1) , we need to determine where its derivative f′(x) is equal to zero or undefined. Critical points occur where the derivative is zero or does not exist.
First, let's find the derivative of the function:
f(x)=(x−2)2/3(2x+1)
We apply the product rule for differentiation, which states that (uv)′=u′v+uv′ , where u=(x−2)2/3 and v=2x+1 .
We need the derivatives of u and v :
For u=(x−2)2/3 , we use the chain rule:
u′(x)=dxd[(x−2)2/3]=32(x−2)−1/3⋅1=32(x−2)−1/3
The derivative of v is straightforward, as v=2x+1 :
v′(x)=2
Now we apply the product rule:
f′(x)=u′(x)v(x)+u(x)v′(x)
Substituting u , u′ , and v , we get:
f′(x)=(32(x−2)−1/3)(2x+1)+((x−2)2/3)(2)
This simplifies to:
f′(x)=3(x−2)1/32(2x+1)+2(x−2)2/3
For critical points, we need to solve f′(x)=0 or where it is undefined.
1. Solve for where the derivative is zero:
3(x−2)1/32(2x+1)+2(x−2)2/3=0
Combining like terms in a common denominator, we get:
3(x−2)1/32(2x+1)+6(x−2)=0
Simplifying the numerator:
2(2x+1)+6(x−2)=4x+2+6x−12=10x−10=10(x−1)
So:
3(x−2)1/310(x−1)=0
The numerator is zero when:
10(x−1)=0
Therefore:
x=1
2. Solve for where the derivative is undefined:
The denominator, 3(x−2)1/3 , is undefined when (x−2)1/3=0 , which happens at:
x=2
From the above analysis, the critical points are at x=1 and x=2 . Thus, there are 2 critical points.
Therefore, the number of critical points of the function f(x)=(x−2)2/3(2x+1) is:
Option A