Question

If \( A = \left\{ \frac{x}{9x^2 + 20} \right\} \) and \( f: A \to \mathbb{R} \) is defined by \( f(x) = 2x^3 - 15x^2 + 36x - 48 \), then the maximum value of \( f(x) \) is

• A. \( 7 \)
• B. \( -20 \)
• C. \( 20 \)
• D. \( -16 \)

Hint:

N/A

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

To find the maximum value of \( f(x) = 2x^3 - 15x^2 + 36x - 48 \), we'll first compute its derivative to locate critical points.
Calculate \( f'(x) \):
\( f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(2x^3 - 15x^2 + 36x - 48) = 6x^2 - 30x + 36 \).
Set \( f'(x) = 0 \) to find critical points:
\( 6x^2 - 30x + 36 = 0 \).
Divide the equation by 6:
\( x^2 - 5x + 6 = 0 \).
Factor the quadratic:
\( (x - 2)(x - 3) = 0 \).
This gives \( x = 2 \) and \( x = 3 \) as critical points.
To determine which point is a maximum, evaluate the second derivative \( f''(x) \):
\( f''(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(6x^2 - 30x + 36) = 12x - 30 \).
Evaluate \( f''(x) \) at the critical points:
\( f''(2) = 12(2) - 30 = 24 - 30 = -6 \) (negative, local maximum)
\( f''(3) = 12(3) - 30 = 36 - 30 = 6 \) (positive, local minimum)
Since \( x = 2 \) corresponds to a local maximum, calculate \( f(2) \):
\( f(2) = 2(2)^3 - 15(2)^2 + 36(2) - 48 \)
\( = 16 - 60 + 72 - 48 \)
\( = -20 \).
Therefore, the maximum value of \( f(x) \) is \( -20 \).