Given the function y=(x+1)(x-2)^2 find i) dy/dx ii) Stationary points and determine their nature

Here we have a function made from the product of two functions, so we canuse the product differenciation rule.

y=uv  =>  dy/dx=udv/dx + vdu/dx

Therefore dy/dy=(x-2)^2 + 2(x-2)(x+1)

Stationary points occur when the gradient is zero, we solve for (x-2)^2 + 2(x-2)(x+1)=0 which gives (0,4), (2,0)

Solving for nature of stationary point we find the second derivative d^2y/dx^2=6x-6

When x=0 we get a maximum, when x=2 we get a minimum point.

RB

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