Find inflection pt with constant K

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In summary, the necessary but not sufficient condition for a point to be a point of inflection is when the second derivative changes sign at a twice-differentiable point. This may impose conditions on the value of k. The presence of a point of inflection may also depend on the value of k, as it can change the shape of the curve. However, finding values for both k and x that satisfy the condition for a point of inflection may be challenging.
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karush
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for c I know inflection pts are found from \(\displaystyle f''(x)\) but since I didn't know at what value \(\displaystyle x\) would be I didn't know how to find \(\displaystyle k\)
also I assume on the \(\displaystyle x\) axis means the graph either touches or crosses the graph at IP.

(image of typing is mine) not sure if this in the right forum
 
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$f''(x)=0$ is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for $x$ to be a point of inflection. The second derivative must change sign at a twice-differentiable point in order to guarantee a point of inflection. Try this and see if this imposes any conditions on $k$.
 
  • #3
Ackbach said:
$f''(x)=0$ is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for $x$ to be a point of inflection. The second derivative must change sign at a twice-differentiable point in order to guarantee a point of inflection. Try this and see if this imposes any conditions on $k$.

not sure if I understand what a "twice-differentialbe point is"

also, doesn't \(\displaystyle k\) change the shape of the curve, there seems to a IP at \(\displaystyle x=16\) but that is when k=1 and it doesn't go thru the \(\displaystyle x\) axis

I can't seem to get both k and x to work for the IP
 

FAQ: Find inflection pt with constant K

What is the purpose of finding an inflection point with a constant K?

The purpose of finding an inflection point with a constant K is to determine the point at which a function changes from being concave up to concave down, or vice versa. This can help in analyzing the behavior and characteristics of a function, and can be useful in various fields such as mathematics, physics, and economics.

How do you find an inflection point with a constant K?

To find an inflection point with a constant K, you can take the second derivative of the function and set it equal to the constant K. Then, solve for the variable to find the x-coordinate of the inflection point. Alternatively, you can graph the function and visually identify the point where the concavity changes.

Can there be more than one inflection point with a constant K?

Yes, there can be more than one inflection point with a constant K. This is because the constant K only represents the value at which the concavity changes, and there can be multiple points where this occurs within a function. However, it is also possible for a function to have no inflection points with a constant K.

How does the constant K affect the inflection point?

The constant K determines the x-coordinate of the inflection point, but it does not affect the y-coordinate or the shape of the curve at the inflection point. The value of K only indicates the point at which the concavity changes, and the inflection point will still follow the general shape of the function.

What are some real-life applications of finding an inflection point with a constant K?

The concept of finding an inflection point with a constant K is widely used in various fields such as economics, where it can help in analyzing market trends and determining the point of maximum profit. It is also used in physics to analyze the behavior of functions such as velocity and acceleration. Additionally, in mathematics, it can be used to solve optimization problems and analyze the behavior of functions in different scenarios.

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