A curve C has equation y=x+9x+1y = x + \frac{9}{x+1}.

  1. (a)

    Using differentiation, find the range of values of xx such that CC concaves upwards.

  2. (b)

    Sketch CC.

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Worked solution

1(a)

1. Find the first and second derivatives of $y$ with respect to $x$.

y=x+9(x+1)−1y = x + 9(x+1)^{-1}
dydx=1−9(x+1)−2\frac{dy}{dx} = 1 - 9(x+1)^{-2}
d2ydx2=18(x+1)−3\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} = 18(x+1)^{-3}

2. Set up and solve the inequality for the curve to be concave upwards.

For a curve to be concave upwards, d2ydx2>0\frac{d^2y}{dx^2} > 0.
18(x+1)3>0\frac{18}{(x+1)^3} > 0
Since 18>018 > 0, we must have the denominator strictly positive:
(x+1)3>0(x+1)^3 > 0
x+1>0x + 1 > 0
x>−1x > -1

Answer

x>−1x > -1

1(b)

1. Identify the equations of the asymptotes.

From the equation y=x+9x+1y = x + \frac{9}{x+1}:
As x→−1x \to -1, 9x+1→±∞\frac{9}{x+1} \to \pm \infty. Thus, the vertical asymptote is x=−1x = -1.
As x→±∞x \to \pm \infty, 9x+1→0\frac{9}{x+1} \to 0. Thus, the oblique asymptote is y=xy = x.

2. Find the coordinates of the stationary points.

Set dydx=0\frac{\mathrm{d}y}{\mathrm{d}x} = 0:
1−9(x+1)2=01 - \frac{9}{(x+1)^2} = 0
(x+1)2=9(x+1)^2 = 9
x+1=±3x + 1 = \pm 3
x=2orx=−4x = 2 \quad \text{or} \quad x = -4
When x=2x = 2, y=2+93=5y = 2 + \frac{9}{3} = 5. This gives a local minimum at (2,5)(2, 5).
When x=−4x = -4, y=−4+9−3=−7y = -4 + \frac{9}{-3} = -7. This gives a local maximum at (−4,−7)(-4, -7).

3. Determine the intersections with the coordinate axes.

To find the yy-intercept, set x=0x = 0:
y=0+90+1=9y = 0 + \frac{9}{0+1} = 9
The curve crosses the yy-axis at (0,9)(0, 9).

To find xx-intercepts, set y=0y = 0:
x+9x+1=0x + \frac{9}{x+1} = 0
x2+x+9=0x^2 + x + 9 = 0
The discriminant is 12−4(1)(9)=−35<01^2 - 4(1)(9) = -35 < 0, so there are no real roots and therefore no xx-intercepts.

Answer

A sketch of the curve CC should include:

  • A vertical asymptote at x=−1x = -1 and an oblique asymptote at y=xy = x.
  • A local maximum point at (−4,−7)(-4, -7) and a local minimum point at (2,5)(2, 5).
  • A yy-intercept at (0,9)(0, 9) and no xx-intercepts.
  • The correct shape with two branches bounded by the asymptotes (concave down for x<−1x < -1 and concave up for x>−1x > -1).

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