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What is the min of x^3-3x for x > 0?

 Mar 21, 2017
 #1
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+2

Take the derivative and set this to 0......and we have

 

3x^2 - 3   = 0

 

3(x^2 - 1) = 0    divide by 3

 

x^2 - 1   = 0        factor

 

(x + 1) (  x - 1)  = 0    setting each factor to 0 and we have that

 

x = - 1     and  x = 1    so  these are the critical points

 

Taking the second derivative, we have

 

6x   .......   and putting x = 1   into this  we get   6(1)  = 6

 

This indicates a minimum when x = 1   and y = (1)^3 - 3(1)   =  -2

 

So....the minimum point is -2 when x > 0

 

 

cool cool cool

 Mar 21, 2017

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