Sketch the graph of any cubic function that has three distinct real roots and a positive coefficient of x3x^3x3.
A research team models the potential energy VVV of a chemical system as a function of its configuration xxx using the equation
V(x)=2x3−9ax2+k V(x) = 2x^3 - 9ax^2 + k V(x)=2x3−9ax2+kwhere aaa and kkk are constants and a>0a > 0a>0.
Verify that the energy profile has a stationary point where it intersects the vertical VVV-axis.
Given that the equation V(x)=0V(x) = 0V(x)=0 has three distinct real roots, determine the range of possible values for kkk in terms of aaa by considering the nature and positions of the local maximum and local minimum points.
375 exam-style questions on AQA A Level Maths 1.10 G: Differentiation, covering 1.10.1 The derivative and second derivative, 1.10.2 Differentiating standard functions, 1.10.3 Applications of differentiation, 1.10.4 Product, quotient and chain rules (A-level only), 1.10.5 Implicit and parametric differentiation (A-level only), and 1.10.6 Constructing differential equations (A-level only). Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.