Let g(x)=2f(x/2)+f(2-x) and f′′(x)<0 for all x in (0,2). If g(x) increases in (a,b) and decreases in (c,d) find the values of a, b, c and d.

sorrowandsongto

sorrowandsongto

Answered question

2022-10-20

Calculus application of derivatives
Let g ( x ) = 2 f ( x / 2 ) + f ( 2 x ) and f ( x ) < 0 for all x ( 0 , 2 ). If g(x) increases in (a,b) and decreases in (c,d) find the values of a, b, c and d.
What I thought was a little graphical approach. I figured it out that if f′′(x) is less than zero then f′(x) would be decreasing (not considering the concavity) and the behaviour of g(x) would depend upon f(x). But I couldn't figure out the exact intervals.

Answer & Explanation

ehedem26

ehedem26

Beginner2022-10-21Added 13 answers

Step 1
I figured it out that if f′′(x) is less than zero then f′(x) would be decreasing
It's enough. Look:
g ( x ) = 2 f ( x / 2 ) 1 2 + f ( 2 x ) ( 1 ) = f ( x / 2 ) f ( 2 x ) .
Step 2
1. 0 < x / 2 < 2 x; since f′(x) is decreasing then g ( x ) > 0 and g(x) is increasing.
2. x / 2 > 2 x > 0; since f′(x) is decreasing then g ( x ) < 0 and g(x) is decreasing.
I think you can find a, b, c, d now.
Cyrus Travis

Cyrus Travis

Beginner2022-10-22Added 2 answers

Step 1
g ( x ) = 2 f ( x 2 ) + f ( 2 x ) g ( x ) = f ( x 2 ) f ( 2 x ) g ( 4 3 ) = f ( 2 3 ) f ( 2 3 ) = 0
so 4 3 is a critical point for g(x). (I found that critical point by solving x 2 = 2 x.) f ( x ) < 0 implies that f′(x) is decreasing, so
u < 2 3 f ( u ) > f ( 2 3 )
u > 2 3 f ( u ) < f ( 2 3 )
Step 2
Thus, for x < 4 3 , x 2 < 2 3 and 2 x > 2 3 , so
g ( x ) = f ( x 2 ) f ( 2 x ) > f ( 2 3 ) f ( 2 3 ) = 0
and similarly x > 4 3 g ( x ) < 0. Thus g(x) increases for x < 4 3 and increases for x > 4 3 .
Now we know the behavior of f only for 0 < x < 2. The function g is then known only for the intersection of 0 < x 2 < 2 and 0 < 2 x < 2, which is again 0 < x < 2.
Therefore g(x) increases in ( 0 , 4 3 ) and decreases in ( 4 3 , 2 ) and we don't know what happens outside the interval (0,2).
So a = 0 , b = c = 4 3 , d = 2.

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