Section 4-2 : Critical Points

1. Determine the critical points of f ( x ) = 8 x + 81x − 42 x − 8 .

3 2

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

f ′ ( x ) = 24 x 2 + 162 x − 42 = 6 ( x + 7 )( 4 x − 1)

Factoring the derivative as much as possible will help with the next step.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is just a polynomial and we know that exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about
that. So, all we need to do is set the derivative equal to zero and solve for the critical points.

6 ( x + 7 )( 4 x − 1) =0 ⇒ x=−7, x =1
4

2. Determine the critical points of R ( t ) =+

1 80t 3 + 5t 4 − 2t 5 .

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

R′ ( t ) = −10t 2 ( t + 4 )( t − 6 )
240t 2 + 20t 3 − 10t 4 =

Factoring the derivative as much as possible will help with the next step.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is just a polynomial and we know that exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about
that. So, all we need to do is set the derivative equal to zero and solve for the critical points.

−10t 2 ( t + 4 )( t − 6 ) =
0 ⇒ t=
0, t =
−4, t =
6

3. Determine the critical points of g ( w ) = 2 w3 − 7 w2 − 3w − 2 .

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

g ′ ( w ) = 6 w2 − 14 w − 3
Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is just a polynomial and we know that exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about
that. So, all we need to do is set the derivative equal to zero and solve for the critical points.

14 ± 268 7 ± 67
6 w2 − 14 w=
−3 0 ⇒ =
w =
12 6

As we can see in this case we needed to use the quadratic formula to find the critical points. Not all
quadratics will factor so don’t forget about the quadratic formula!

4. Determine the critical points of g ( x ) =x − 2 x + 8 x .

6 5 4

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

g ′ ( x ) = 6 x5 − 10 x 4 + 32 x3 = 2 x3 ( 3 x 2 − 5 x + 16 )

Factoring the derivative as much as possible will help with the next step.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is just a polynomial and we know that exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about
that. So, all we need to do is set the derivative equal to zero and solve for the critical points.

2 x 3 ( 3 x 2 − 5 x +=
16 ) 0 ⇒ =
2 x3 0 OR 3 x 2 − 5 x=
+ 16 0

From the first term we clearly see that x = 0 is a critical point. The second term does not factor and we
we’ll need to use the quadratic formula to solve this equation.

5 ± −167 5 ± 167 i
=x =
6 6

Remember that not all quadratics will factor so don’t forget about the quadratic formula!

Step 3
Now, recall that we don’t use complex numbers in this class and so the solutions from the second term
are not critical points. Therefore, the only critical point of this function is,

x=0
5. Determine the critical points of h ( z ) = 4 z − 3 z + 9 z + 12 .
3 2

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

h′ ( z )= 12 z 2 − 6 z + 9

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is just a polynomial and we know that exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about
that. So, all we need to do is set the derivative equal to zero and solve for the critical points.

6 ± −396 1 ± 11 i
12 z 2 − 6 z=
+9 0 ⇒ =z =
24 4

As we can see in this case we needed to use the quadratic formula to solve the quadratic. Remember
that not all quadratics will factor so don’t forget about the quadratic formula!

Step 3
Now, recall that we don’t use complex numbers in this class and so the solutions are not critical points.
Therefore, there are no critical points for this function.

Do not get excited about there being no critical points for a function. There is no rule that says that
every function has to have critical points!

6. Determine the critical points of Q ( x ) =

( 2 − 8x ) (x − 9) .
4 2 3

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

Q′ ( x ) = 4 ( 2 − 8 x ) ( −8 ) ( x 2 − 9 ) + ( 2 − 8 x ) ( 3) ( x 2 − 9 ) ( 2 x )
3 3 4 2

= 2 ( 2 − 8 x ) ( x 2 − 9 )  −16 ( x 2 − 9 ) + 3 x ( 2 − 8 x ) 
3 2

2 ( 2 − 8 x ) ( x 2 − 9 )  −40 x 2 + 6 x + 144  =
−4 ( 2 − 8 x ) ( x 2 − 9 )  20 x 2 − 3 x − 72 
2 2
=
3 3

Factoring the derivative as much as possible will help with the next step. For this problem (unlike some
of the previous problems) this extra factoring is all but required to make this easier to finish.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is just a polynomial, (admittedly a somewhat messy polynomial) and we know that exists
everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about that. So, all we need to do is set the derivative equal
to zero and solve for the critical points.

−4 ( 2 − 8 x ) ( x 2 − 9 )  20 x 2 − 3 x − 72  =
3 2
0

From this we get the following three equations that we need to solve.

( 2 − 8x ) =
3
0

(x − 9) =
2 2
0
20 x 2 − 3 x − 72 =
0

For the first two equations all we really need to do is set the quantity inside the parenthesis to zero (the
exponent on the parenthesis won’t affect the solution) and the third requires the quadratic formula.

=
2 − 8x 0 ⇒ =x 1
4

x 2 − 9 =0 ⇒ x =±3
3 ± 3 − 4 ( 20 )( −72 )
2
3 ± 5769
20 x 2 − 3 x − 72
= 0 ⇒ =
x =
2 ( 20 ) 40

So, we get the 5 critical points boxed in above.

z+4
7. Determine the critical points of f ( z ) = .
2z + z + 8
2

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

(1) ( 2 z 2 + z + 8) − ( z + 4 )( 4 z + 1)
−2 z 2 − 16 z + 4 −2 ( z + 8 z − 2 )
2

=f ′( z) = =
( 2 z 2 + z + 8) ( 2 z 2 + z + 8) ( 2 z 2 + z + 8)
2 2 2

The “-2” was factored out of the numerator only to make it a little nicer for the next step and doesn’t
really need to be done.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is a rational expression. Therefore, we know that the derivative will be zero if the numerator
is zero (and the denominator is also not zero for the same values of course). We also know that the
derivative won’t exist if we get division by zero.
 So, all we need to do is set the numerator and denominator equal to zero and solve. Note as well that
the “-2” we factored out of the numerator will not affect where it is zero and so can be ignored.
Likewise, the exponent on the whole denominator will not affect where it is zero and so can also be
ignored. This means we need to solve the following two equations.

−8 ± 72
z 2 + 8 z − 2 =0 ⇒ z= =−4 ± 3 2
2

−1 ± −63 −1 ± 63 i
2z2 + z =
+8 0 ⇒ =z =
4 4

As we can see in this case we needed to use the quadratic formula both of the quadratic equations.
Remember that not all quadratics will factor so don’t forget about the quadratic formula!

Step 3
Now, recall that we don’t use complex numbers in this class and so the solutions from where the
denominator is zero (i.e. the derivative doesn’t exist) won’t be critical points. Therefore, the only critical
points of this function are,

x =−4 ± 3 2

1− x
8. Determine the critical points of R ( x ) = .
x + 2 x − 15
2

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

( −1) ( x 2 + 2 x − 15) − (1 − x )( 2 x + 2 ) x 2 − 2 x + 13
=R′ ( x ) =
( x2 + 2 x − 15) (x + 2 x − 15 )
2 2 2

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is a rational expression. Therefore, we know that the derivative will be zero if the numerator
is zero (and the denominator is also not zero for the same values of course). We also know that the
derivative won’t exist if we get division by zero.

So, all we need to do is set the numerator and denominator equal to zero and solve. Note that the
exponent on the whole denominator will not affect where it is zero and so can be ignored. This means
we need to solve the following two equations.

2 ± −48
x 2 − 2 x + 13 =0 ⇒ x= =1 ± 2 3 i
2
 ( x + 5)( x − 3) =
x 2 + 2 x − 15 = 0 ⇒ x=−5, 3

As we can see in this case we needed to use the quadratic formula on the first quadratic equation.
Remember that not all quadratics will factor so don’t forget about the quadratic formula!

Step 3
Now, recall that we don’t use complex numbers in this class and so the solutions from where the
numerator is zero won’t be critical points.

Also recall that a point will only be a critical point if the function (not the derivative, but the original
function) exists at the point. For this problem we found two values where the derivative doesn’t exist,
however the function also doesn’t exist at these points and so neither of these will be critical points
either.

Therefore, this function has no critical points. Do not get excited about this when it happens. Not all
functions will have critical points!

9. Determine the critical points of r (=

y) 5
y2 − 6 y .

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

4
2y − 6
r ′ ( y ) =15 ( 2 y − 6 ) ( y 2 − 6 y )
−
5 = 4
5( y2 − 6 y )5

We took the term with the negative exponent to the denominator for the discussion in the next step.
While it doesn’t really need to be done this will make sure that there are no inadvertent mistakes down
the road.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is a rational expression. Therefore, we know that the derivative will be zero if the numerator
is zero (and the denominator is also not zero for the same values of course). We also know that the
derivative won’t exist if we get division by zero.

So, all we need to do is set the numerator and denominator equal to zero and solve. Note that the
exponent on the whole denominator will not affect where it is zero and so can be ignored. This means
we need to solve the following two equations.

2y =
−6 0 ⇒ =y 3
y − 6 y= y ( y − 6 )= 0
2
⇒ y= 0, 6

Step 3
Note as well that the reason for moving the term to the denominator as we did in the first step is to
make it clear that the last two critical points are critical points because the derivative does not exist at
those points and not because the derivative is zero at those points. Also note that they are critical
points because the function does exist at these points.

Therefore, along with the first critical point (where the derivative is zero), we get the following critical
points for this function.

y = 0, 3, 6

1
10. Determine the critical points of h ( t ) = 15 − ( 3 − t ) t 2 − 8t + 7  3 .

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

1
h′ ( t ) = t 2 − 8t + 7  3 − ( 3 − t ) ( 13 ) ( 2t − 8 ) t 2 − 8t + 7 
−
2
3
1
= t 2 − 8t + 7  3 −
( 3 − t )( 2t − 8)
2
3 t 2 − 8t + 7  3
3 ( t 2 − 8t + 7 ) − ( 3 − t )( 2t − 8 ) 5t 2 − 38t + 45
= 2 2
3 ( t 2 − 8t + 7 ) 3 3 ( t 2 − 8t + 7 ) 3

After differentiating we moved the term with the negative exponent to the denominator and then
combined everything into a single term. This will help with the next step considerably.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist.

Because we moved the term with the negative exponent to the denominator and then combined
everything into a single term we now have written the derivative as a rational expression. Therefore, we
know that the derivative will be zero if the numerator is zero (and the denominator is also not zero for
the same values of course). We also know that the derivative won’t exist if we get division by zero.

So, all we need to do is set the numerator and denominator equal to zero and solve. Note that the
exponent on the whole denominator will not affect where it is zero and so can be ignored. This means
we need to solve the following two equations.

38 ± 544 19 ± 2 34
5t 2 − 38t + 45
= 0 ⇒ =
t =
10 5
t − 8t + 7 = ( t − 7 )( t − 1) = 0
2
⇒ t = 1, 7

Step 3
Note that because we combined all the terms in the derivative into a single term it was much easier to
determine the critical points for this function. If we had not combined the terms the solving work would
have been more complicated, although not impossible.

Doing this also makes it clear that the last two critical points are critical points because the derivative
does not exist at those points and not because the derivative is zero at those points. Also note that they
are critical points because the function does exist at these points.

Therefore, along with the first two critical points (where the derivative is zero), we get the following
critical points for this function.

19 ± 2 34
t = 1, 7,
5

of s ( z ) 4 cos ( z ) − z .
11. Determine the critical points =

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

s′ ( z ) =
−4sin ( z ) − 1

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist.

This derivative exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about that. Therefore, all we need to
do is determine where the derivative is zero. So, all we need to do is solve the equation,

−4sin ( z ) − 1 =0 → sin ( z ) =− 14 → z =sin −1 ( − 14 ) =−0.2527

This is the answer we got from a calculator and we could use this or we could use the equivalent positive
angle : 2π − 0.2527 = 6.0305 . Either can be used, but we’ll use the positive one for this problem.

Now, a quick look at a unit circle gives us a second solution of π + 0.2527 =

3.3943 .

Finally, all possible solutions to this equation, and hence, all the critical points of the original function
are,
=z 6.0305 + 2π n
n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±,
=z 3.3943 + 2π n

If you don’t remember how to solve trig equations you should go back and review those sections in the
Review Chapter of the notes.
 f ( y ) sin
12. Determine the critical points of = ( y)+
3
2y
9 .

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

f ′( y)
= 1
3 cos ( y)+
3
2
9

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist.

This derivative exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about that. Therefore, all we need to
do is determine where the derivative is zero. So, all we need to do is solve the equation,

1
3 cos ( y)+
3
2
9 =0 → cos ( y ) =−
3
2
3 →
y
3 =cos −1 ( − 23 ) =2.3005

This is the answer we got from a calculator and a quick look at a unit circle gives us a second solution of
either -2.3005 or if you want the positive equivalent we could use 2π − 2.3005 = 3.9827 . For this
problem we’ll use the positive one, although the negative one could just as easily be used if you wanted
to.

All possible solutions to cos ( y)= −

3
2
3 are then,
y
= 2.3005 + 2π n
3
y n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±,
=3 3.9827 + 2π n

Finally solving for y gives all the critical points of the function.

=y 6.9015 + 6π n
n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±,
=y 11.9481 + 6π n

If you don’t remember how to solve trig equations you should go back and review those sections in the
Review Chapter of the notes.

=
13. Determine the critical points of V ( t ) sin 2 ( 3t ) + 1 .

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

V ′ ( t ) = 6sin ( 3t ) cos ( 3t )

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist.
This derivative exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about that. Therefore, all we need to
do is determine where the derivative is zero. So, all we need to do is solve the equation,

6sin ( 3t ) cos ( 3t ) =→
0 sin ( 3t ) =
0 or cos ( 3t ) =
0

Step 3
So, we now need to solve these two trig equations.

From a quick look at a unit circle we can see that sine is zero at 0 and π and so all solutions to
sin ( 3t ) = 0 are then,
3t= 0 + 2π n t = 23 π n
→ n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±,
3t= π + 2π n t 13 π + 23 π n
=

Another look at a unit circle and we can see that cosine is zero at π
2
and 32π and so all solutions to
cos ( 3t ) = 0 are then,
π π
3t= + 2π n t= + 32 π n
2
3π
→ 6
π
n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±,
3=
t 2 + 2π n t= 2 + 32 π n

Therefore, critical points of the function are,

π π
t= 2
3 π n, t = 13 π + 32 π n, t = 6 + 32 π n, t = 2 + 32 π n n = 0, ±1, ±2, ±,

If you don’t remember how to solve trig equations you should go back and review those sections in the
Review Chapter of the notes.

14. Determine the critical points of f ( x ) = 5 x e

9− 2 x
.

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

f ′ ( x )= 5e9− 2 x + 5 x ( −2 ) e9− 2 x= 5e9− 2 x (1 − 2 x )

We did some quick factoring to help with the next step and while it doesn’t technically need to be done
it will significantly reduce the amount work required in the next step.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist.

This derivative exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about that. Therefore, all we need to
do is determine where the derivative is zero.
Notice as well that because we know that exponential functions are never zero and so the derivative will
only be zero if,

1 − 2=
x 0 → =
x 1
2

So, we have a single critical point, x = 1

2
, for this function.

15. Determine the critical points of g ( w ) = e

3
−2 w 2 −7 w
.
w

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

g ′ ( w ) = ( 3w2 − 4 w − 7 ) e w = ( 3w − 7 )( w + 1) e w
3
−2 w 2 −7 w 3
−2 w 2 −7 w

We did some quick factoring to help with the next step.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist.

This derivative exists everywhere and so we don’t need to worry about that. Therefore, all we need to
do is determine where the derivative is zero.

Notice as well that because we know that exponential functions are never zero and so the derivative will
only be zero if,

( 3w − 7 )( w + 1) = 0 → w= 7
3 , −1

So, we have a two critical points, w = 7

3 and w = −1 for this function.

16. Determine the critical points of R ( x= (

) ln x 2 + 4 x + 14 . )
Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

2x + 4
R′ ( x ) =
x + 4 x + 14
2

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is a rational expression.
So, we know that the derivative will be zero if the numerator is zero (and the denominator is also not
zero for the same values of course).

We also know that the derivative won’t exist if we get division by zero. However, in this case note that
the denominator is also the polynomial that is inside the logarithm and so any values of x for which the
denominator is zero will not be in the domain of the original function (i.e. the function, R ( x ) , won’t
exist at those values of x because we can’t take the logarithm of zero). Therefore, these points will not
be critical points and we don’t need to bother determining where the derivative will be zero.

So, setting the numerator equal to zero gives,

2 x + 4 =0 ⇒ x =−2

Step 3
As a final step we really should check that R ( −2 ) exists since there is always a chance that it won’t
since we are dealing with a logarithm. It does exist ( R ( −2 ) =
ln (10 ) ) and so the only critical point for
this function is,

x = −2

17. Determine the critical points of A ( t ) =

3t − 7 ln ( 8t + 2 ) .

Step 1
We’ll need the first derivative to get the answer to this problem so let’s get that.

 8  56 24t − 50
A′ ( t ) =
3− 7 =3− =
 8t + 2  8t + 2 8t + 2

We did quite a bit of simplification of the derivative to help with the next step. While not technically
required it will mean the next step will be a fair amount simpler to do.

Step 2
Recall that critical points are simply where the derivative is zero and/or doesn’t exist. In this case the
derivative is a rational expression.

So, we know that the derivative will be zero if the numerator is zero (and the denominator is also not
zero for the same values of course).

We also know that the derivative won’t exist if we get division by zero. However, in this case note that
the denominator is also the polyomial that is inside the logarithm and so any values of t for which the
denominator is zero (i.e. t = − 14 since it’s easy to see that point) will not be in the domain of the original
function (i.e. the function, A ( − 14 ) , won’t exist because we can’t take the logarithm of zero). Therefore,
this point will not be a critical point.
So, setting the numerator equal to zero gives,

24t − 50
= 0 ⇒ =
t 25
12

Step 3
As a final step we really should check that A ( 12
25
) exists since there is always a chance that it won’t since
we are dealing with a logarithm. It does exist ( A ( 12
25
)
= 75
12 − 7 ln ( 653 ) ) and so the only critical point for
this function is,

t = 12
25