One of most important tasks differential calculus is the development common examples studies of function behavior.

If the function y=f(x) is continuous on the interval , and its derivative is positive or equal to 0 on the interval (a,b), then y=f(x) increases by (f"(x)0). If the function y=f (x) is continuous on the segment , and its derivative is negative or equal to 0 on the interval (a,b), then y=f(x) decreases by (f"(x)0)

Intervals in which the function does not decrease or increase are called intervals of monotonicity of the function. The nature of the monotonicity of a function can change only at those points of its domain of definition at which the sign of the first derivative changes. The points at which the first derivative of a function vanishes or has a discontinuity are called critical.

Theorem 1 (1st sufficient condition for the existence of an extremum).

Let the function y=f(x) be defined at the point x 0 and let there be a neighborhood δ>0 such that the function is continuous on the interval and differentiable on the interval (x 0 -δ,x 0)u(x 0 , x 0 +δ) , and its derivative retains a constant sign on each of these intervals. Then if on x 0 -δ,x 0) and (x 0 , x 0 +δ) the signs of the derivative are different, then x 0 is an extremum point, and if they coincide, then x 0 is not an extremum point. Moreover, if, when passing through the point x0, the derivative changes sign from plus to minus (to the left of x 0 f"(x)>0 is satisfied, then x 0 is the maximum point; if the derivative changes sign from minus to plus (to the right of x 0 executed f"(x)<0, то х 0 - точка минимума.

The maximum and minimum points are called the extremum points of the function, and the maximum and minimum of the function are called its extreme values.

Theorem 2 (a necessary sign of a local extremum).

If the function y=f(x) has an extremum at the current x=x 0, then either f’(x 0)=0 or f’(x 0) does not exist.
At the extremum points of the differentiable function, the tangent to its graph is parallel to the Ox axis.

Algorithm for studying a function for an extremum:

1) Find the derivative of the function.
2) Find critical points, i.e. points at which the function is continuous and the derivative is zero or does not exist.
3) Consider the neighborhood of each point, and examine the sign of the derivative to the left and right of this point.
4) Determine the coordinates of the extreme points; for this, substitute the values ​​of the critical points into this function. Using sufficient conditions for the extremum, draw the appropriate conclusions.

Example 18. Examine the function y=x 3 -9x 2 +24x for an extremum

Solution.
1) y"=3x 2 -18x+24=3(x-2)(x-4).
2) Equating the derivative to zero, we find x 1 =2, x 2 =4. In this case, the derivative is defined everywhere; This means that apart from the two points found, there are no other critical points.
3) The sign of the derivative y"=3(x-2)(x-4) changes depending on the interval as shown in Figure 1. When passing through the point x=2, the derivative changes sign from plus to minus, and when passing through through the point x=4 - from minus to plus.
4) At point x=2 the function has a maximum y max =20, and at point x=4 - a minimum y min =16.

Theorem 3. (2nd sufficient condition for the existence of an extremum).

Let f"(x 0) and at the point x 0 there exists f""(x 0). Then if f""(x 0)>0, then x 0 is the minimum point, and if f""(x 0)<0, то х 0 – точка максимума функции y=f(x).

On a segment, the function y=f(x) can reach the smallest (y the least) or the greatest (y the highest) value either at the critical points of the function lying in the interval (a;b), or at the ends of the segment.

Algorithm for finding the largest and smallest values ​​of a continuous function y=f(x) on the segment:

1) Find f"(x).
2) Find the points at which f"(x)=0 or f"(x) does not exist, and select from them those that lie inside the segment.
3) Calculate the value of the function y=f(x) at the points obtained in step 2), as well as at the ends of the segment and select the largest and smallest from them: they are, respectively, the largest (y the largest) and the smallest (y the least) values ​​of the function on the interval.

Example 19. Find the largest value of the continuous function y=x 3 -3x 2 -45+225 on the segment.

1) We have y"=3x 2 -6x-45 on the segment
2) The derivative y" exists for all x. Let's find the points at which y"=0; we get:
3x 2 -6x-45=0
x 2 -2x-15=0
x 1 =-3; x 2 =5
3) Calculate the value of the function at points x=0 y=225, x=5 y=50, x=6 y=63
The segment contains only the point x=5. The largest of the found values ​​of the function is 225, and the smallest is the number 50. So, y max = 225, y min = 50.

Study of a function on convexity

The figure shows graphs of two functions. The first of them is convex upward, the second is convex downward.

The function y=f(x) is continuous on the segment and differentiable in the interval (a;b), is called convex upward (downward) on this segment if, for axb, its graph lies no higher (not lower) than the tangent drawn at any point M 0 (x 0 ;f(x 0)), where axb.

Theorem 4. Let the function y=f(x) have a second derivative at any interior point x of the segment and be continuous at the ends of this segment. Then if the inequality f""(x)0 holds on the interval (a;b), then the function is convex downward on the interval ; if the inequality f""(x)0 holds on the interval (a;b), then the function is convex upward on .

Theorem 5. If the function y=f(x) has a second derivative on the interval (a;b) and if it changes sign when passing through the point x 0, then M(x 0 ;f(x 0)) is an inflection point.

Rule for finding inflection points:

1) Find the points at which f""(x) does not exist or vanishes.
2) Examine the sign f""(x) to the left and right of each point found in the first step.
3) Based on Theorem 4, draw a conclusion.

Example 20. Find the extremum points and inflection points of the graph of the function y=3x 4 -8x 3 +6x 2 +12.

We have f"(x)=12x 3 -24x 2 +12x=12x(x-1) 2. Obviously, f"(x)=0 when x 1 =0, x 2 =1. When passing through the point x=0, the derivative changes sign from minus to plus, but when passing through the point x=1 it does not change sign. This means that x=0 is the minimum point (y min =12), and there is no extremum at point x=1. Next, we find . The second derivative vanishes at the points x 1 =1, x 2 =1/3. The signs of the second derivative change as follows: On the ray (-∞;) we have f""(x)>0, on the interval (;1) we have f""(x)<0, на луче (1;+∞) имеем f""(x)>0. Therefore, x= is the inflection point of the function graph (transition from convexity down to convexity upward) and x=1 is also the inflection point (transition from convexity upward to convexity downward). If x=, then y=; if, then x=1, y=13.

Algorithm for finding the asymptote of a graph

I. If y=f(x) as x → a, then x=a is a vertical asymptote.
II. If y=f(x) as x → ∞ or x → -∞, then y=A is a horizontal asymptote.
III. To find the oblique asymptote, we use the following algorithm:
1) Calculate . If the limit exists and is equal to b, then y=b is a horizontal asymptote; if , then go to the second step.
2) Calculate . If this limit does not exist, then there is no asymptote; if it exists and is equal to k, then go to the third step.
3) Calculate . If this limit does not exist, then there is no asymptote; if it exists and is equal to b, then go to the fourth step.
4) Write down the equation of the oblique asymptote y=kx+b.

Example 21: Find the asymptote for a function

1)
2)
3)
4) The equation of the oblique asymptote has the form

Scheme for studying a function and constructing its graph

I. Find the domain of definition of the function.
II. Find the points of intersection of the graph of the function with the coordinate axes.
III. Find asymptotes.
IV. Find possible extremum points.
V. Find critical points.
VI. Using the auxiliary figure, explore the sign of the first and second derivatives. Determine areas of increasing and decreasing function, find the direction of convexity of the graph, points of extrema and inflection points.
VII. Construct a graph, taking into account the research carried out in paragraphs 1-6.

Example 22: Construct a graph of the function according to the above diagram

Solution.
I. The domain of a function is the set of all real numbers except x=1.
II. Since the equation x 2 +1=0 has no real roots, the graph of the function has no points of intersection with the Ox axis, but intersects the Oy axis at the point (0;-1).
III. Let us clarify the question of the existence of asymptotes. Let us study the behavior of the function near the discontinuity point x=1. Since y → ∞ as x → -∞, y → +∞ as x → 1+, then the line x=1 is the vertical asymptote of the graph of the function.
If x → +∞(x → -∞), then y → +∞(y → -∞); therefore, the graph does not have a horizontal asymptote. Further, from the existence of limits

Solving the equation x 2 -2x-1=0 we obtain two possible extremum points:
x 1 =1-√2 and x 2 =1+√2

V. To find the critical points, we calculate the second derivative:

Since f""(x) does not vanish, there are no critical points.
VI. Let us examine the sign of the first and second derivatives. Possible extremum points to be considered: x 1 =1-√2 and x 2 =1+√2, divide the domain of existence of the function into intervals (-∞;1-√2),(1-√2;1+√2) and (1+√2;+∞).

In each of these intervals, the derivative retains its sign: in the first - plus, in the second - minus, in the third - plus. The sequence of signs of the first derivative will be written as follows: +,-,+.
We find that the function increases at (-∞;1-√2), decreases at (1-√2;1+√2), and increases again at (1+√2;+∞). Extremum points: maximum at x=1-√2, and f(1-√2)=2-2√2 minimum at x=1+√2, and f(1+√2)=2+2√2. At (-∞;1) the graph is convex upward, and at (1;+∞) it is convex downwards.
VII Let's make a table of the obtained values

VIII Based on the data obtained, we construct a sketch of the graph of the function

Carry out full research and plot the function

y(x)=x2+81−x.y(x)=x2+81−x.

1) Function definition domain. Since the function is a fraction, we need to find the zeros of the denominator.

1−x=0,⇒x=1.1−x=0,⇒x=1.

We exclude the only point x=1x=1 from the domain of definition of the function and get:

D(y)=(−∞;1)∪(1;+∞).D(y)=(−∞;1)∪(1;+∞).

2) Let us study the behavior of the function in the vicinity of the discontinuity point. Let's find one-sided limits:

Since the limits are equal to infinity, the point x=1x=1 is a discontinuity of the second kind, the straight line x=1x=1 is a vertical asymptote.

3) Let us determine the intersection points of the function graph with the coordinate axes.

Let's find the points of intersection with the ordinate axis OyOy, for which we equate x=0x=0:

Thus, the point of intersection with the OyOy axis has coordinates (0;8)(0;8).

Let's find the points of intersection with the abscissa axis OxOx, for which we set y=0y=0:

The equation has no roots, so there are no points of intersection with the OxOx axis.

Note that x2+8>0x2+8>0 for any xx. Therefore, for x∈(−∞;1)x∈(−∞;1), the function y>0y>0 (takes positive values, the graph is above the x-axis), for x∈(1;+∞)x∈(1; +∞) function y<0y<0 (принимает отрицательные значения, график находится ниже оси абсцисс).

4) The function is neither even nor odd because:

5) Let's examine the function for periodicity. The function is not periodic, since it is a fractional rational function.

6) Let's examine the function for extrema and monotonicity. To do this, we find the first derivative of the function:

Let's equate the first derivative to zero and find stationary points (at which y′=0y′=0):

We got three critical points: x=−2,x=1,x=4x=−2,x=1,x=4. Let us divide the entire domain of definition of the function into intervals with these points and determine the signs of the derivative in each interval:

For x∈(−∞;−2),(4;+∞)x∈(−∞;−2),(4;+∞) the derivative y′<0y′<0, поэтому функция убывает на данных промежутках.

For x∈(−2;1),(1;4)x∈(−2;1),(1;4) the derivative y′>0y′>0, the function increases on these intervals.

In this case, x=−2x=−2 is a local minimum point (the function decreases and then increases), x=4x=4 is a local maximum point (the function increases and then decreases).

Let's find the values ​​of the function at these points:

Thus, the minimum point is (−2;4)(−2;4), the maximum point is (4;−8)(4;−8).

7) Let's examine the function for kinks and convexity. Let's find the second derivative of the function:

Let us equate the second derivative to zero:

The resulting equation has no roots, so there are no inflection points. Moreover, when x∈(−∞;1)x∈(−∞;1) y′′>0y″>0 is satisfied, that is, the function is concave, when x∈(1;+∞)x∈(1;+ ∞) is satisfied by y′′<0y″<0, то есть функция выпуклая.

8) Let us examine the behavior of the function at infinity, that is, at .

Since the limits are infinite, there are no horizontal asymptotes.

Let's try to determine oblique asymptotes of the form y=kx+by=kx+b. We calculate the values ​​of k,bk,b using known formulas:

We found that the function has one oblique asymptote y=−x−1y=−x−1.

9) Additional points. Let's calculate the value of the function at some other points in order to more accurately construct the graph.

y(−5)=5.5;y(2)=−12;y(7)=−9.5.y(−5)=5.5;y(2)=−12;y(7)=−9.5.

10) Based on the data obtained, we will construct a graph, supplement it with asymptotes x=1x=1 (blue), y=−x−1y=−x−1 (green) and mark characteristic points (purple intersection with the ordinate axis, orange extrema, black additional points) :

Task 4: Geometric, Economic problems (I have no idea what, here is an approximate selection of problems with solutions and formulas)

Example 3.23. a

Solution. x And y y
y = a - 2×a/4 =a/2. Since x = a/4 is the only critical point, let's check whether the sign of the derivative changes when passing through this point. For xa/4 S " > 0, and for x >a/4 S "< 0, значит, в точке x=a/4 функция S имеет максимум. Значение функции S(a/4) = a/4(a - a/2) = a 2 /8 (кв. ед).Поскольку S непрерывна на и ее значения на концах S(0) и S(a/2) равны нулю, то найденное значение будет highest value functions. Thus, the most favorable aspect ratio of the site under the given conditions of the problem is y = 2x.

Example 3.24.

Solution.
R = 2, H = 16/4 = 4.

Example 3.22. Find the extrema of the function f(x) = 2x 3 - 15x 2 + 36x - 14.

Solution. Since f "(x) = 6x 2 - 30x +36 = 6(x ​​-2)(x - 3), then the critical points of the function x 1 = 2 and x 2 = 3. Extrema can only be at these points. So as when passing through the point x 1 = 2 the derivative changes its sign from plus to minus, then at this point the function has a maximum. When passing through the point x 2 = 3 the derivative changes its sign from minus to plus, therefore at the point x 2 = 3 the function has a minimum. Having calculated the function values ​​at the points
x 1 = 2 and x 2 = 3, we find the extrema of the function: maximum f(2) = 14 and minimum f(3) = 13.

Example 3.23. It is necessary to build a rectangular area near the stone wall so that it is fenced off on three sides with wire mesh, and the fourth side is adjacent to the wall. For this there is a linear meters of mesh. At what aspect ratio will the site have the largest area?

Solution. Let us denote the sides of the platform by x And y. The area of ​​the site is S = xy. Let y- this is the length of the side adjacent to the wall. Then, by condition, the equality 2x + y = a must hold. Therefore y = a - 2x and S = x(a - 2x), where
0 ≤ x ≤ a/2 (the length and width of the pad cannot be negative). S " = a - 4x, a - 4x = 0 at x = a/4, whence
y = a - 2×a/4 =a/2. Since x = a/4 is the only critical point, let's check whether the sign of the derivative changes when passing through this point. For xa/4 S " > 0, and for x >a/4 S "< 0, значит, в точке x=a/4 функция S имеет максимум. Значение функции S(a/4) = a/4(a - a/2) = a 2 /8 (кв. ед).Поскольку S непрерывна на и ее значения на концах S(0) и S(a/2) равны нулю, то найденное значение будет наибольшим значением функции. Таким образом, наиболее выгодным соотношением сторон площадки при данных условиях задачи является y = 2x.

Example 3.24. It is required to manufacture a closed cylindrical tank with a capacity V=16p ≈ 50 m 3 . What should be the dimensions of the tank (radius R and height H) so that the least amount of material is used for its manufacture?

Solution. Square full surface cylinder is equal to S = 2pR(R+H). We know the volume of the cylinder V = pR 2 N Þ N = V/pR 2 =16p/ pR 2 = 16/ R 2 . This means S(R) = 2p(R 2 +16/R). We find the derivative of this function:
S " (R) = 2p(2R- 16/R 2) = 4p (R- 8/R 2). S " (R) = 0 for R 3 = 8, therefore,
R = 2, H = 16/4 = 4.

Related information.

The reference points when studying functions and constructing their graphs are characteristic points - points of discontinuity, extremum, inflection, intersection with coordinate axes. Using differential calculus one can establish characteristic features changes in functions: increase and decrease, maximums and minimums, direction of convexity and concavity of the graph, the presence of asymptotes.

A sketch of the graph of the function can (and should) be drawn after finding the asymptotes and extremum points, and it is convenient to fill out the summary table of the study of the function as the study progresses.

The following function study scheme is usually used.

1.Find the domain of definition, intervals of continuity and breakpoints of the function.

2.Examine the function for evenness or oddness (axial or central symmetry of the graph.

3.Find asymptotes (vertical, horizontal or oblique).

4.Find and study the intervals of increase and decrease of the function, its extremum points.

5.Find the intervals of convexity and concavity of the curve, its inflection points.

6.Find the intersection points of the curve with the coordinate axes, if they exist.

7.Compile a summary table of the study.

8.A graph is constructed, taking into account the study of the function carried out according to the points described above.

Example. Explore function

and build its graph.

7. Let’s compile a summary table for studying the function, where we will enter all the characteristic points and the intervals between them. Taking into account the parity of the function, we obtain the following table:

The study of a function is carried out according to a clear scheme and requires the student to have a solid knowledge of basic mathematical concepts such as the domain of definition and values, continuity of the function, asymptote, extremum points, parity, periodicity, etc. The student must be able to differentiate functions freely and solve equations, which can sometimes be very complex.

That is, this task tests a significant layer of knowledge, any gap in which will become an obstacle to obtaining the correct solution. Particularly often, difficulties arise with constructing graphs of functions. This mistake is immediately noticeable to the teacher and can greatly damage your grade, even if everything else was done correctly. Here you can find online function research problems: study examples, download solutions, order assignments.

Explore a function and plot a graph: examples and solutions online

We have prepared a lot for you ready-made function studies, both paid in the solution book and free in the section Examples of Function Studies. Based on these solved tasks, you will be able to familiarize yourself in detail with the methodology for performing similar tasks, and carry out your research by analogy.

We offer ready-made examples of complete research and graphing of functions of the most common types: polynomials, fractional rational, irrational, exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric functions. Each solved problem is accompanied by a ready-made graph with highlighted key points, asymptotes, maxima and minima; the solution is carried out according to function research algorithm.

In any case, the solved examples will help you good help, as they cover the most popular types of functions. We offer you hundreds of already solved problems, but, as you know, there are an infinite number of mathematical functions in the world, and teachers are great experts at inventing more and more tricky tasks for poor students. So, dear students, qualified assistance it won't hurt you.

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