Exercise · ZW-LOCAL-MAXIMA-AND-MINIMA-003 · ★★☆ Intermediate

At which value of x does \(f(x)=x^{3} - 12 x + 5\) have a local maximum?

Choose one option.

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  • C. \(-2\)

Explanation

The critical points are \(x=-2\) and \(x=2\). With \(f''(x)=6x\), at \(x=-2\) it equals \(-12<0\), so there is a local maximum; at \(x=2\) it equals \(12>0\), a local minimum.

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Review the concept: Local maxima and minima

A local maximum of \(f\) at \(c\) is a value \(f(c)\) greater than or equal to the values of \(f\) on some neighborhood of \(c\); a local minimum, less than or equal.

\[f'(c)=0,\ f''(c)>0\ \Rightarrow\ \text{local minimum}\]

More practice problems: local maxima and minima

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