Let $f(x)=\int_0^{x^2} \frac{\mathrm{t}^2-8 \mathrm{t}+15}{\mathrm{e}^{\mathrm{t}}} \mathrm{dt}, x \in \mathbf{R}$. Then the numbers of local maximum and local minimum points of $f$, respectively, are :
Solution
<p>We are given</p>
<p>$f(x)=\int_0^{x^2} \frac{t^2-8t+15}{e^t}\,dt, \quad x\in\mathbb{R}.$</p>
<p>To find the local extrema, we first compute the derivative using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and the chain rule.</p>
<p>Step 1. Rewrite the derivative:</p>
<p>Let</p>
<p>$F(u)=\int_0^u \frac{t^2-8t+15}{e^t}\,dt,$</p>
<p>so that</p>
<p>$f(x)=F(x^2).$</p>
<p>Then by the chain rule,</p>
<p>$f'(x)=F'(x^2)\cdot 2x.$</p>
<p>Since</p>
<p>$F'(u)=\frac{u^2-8u+15}{e^u},$</p>
<p>we substitute $u=x^2$ to get</p>
<p>$$ f'(x)=\frac{(x^2)^2-8x^2+15}{e^{x^2}}\cdot 2x = \frac{2x\,(x^4-8x^2+15)}{e^{x^2}}. $$</p>
<p>Step 2. Factor and Identify Critical Points:</p>
<p>Factor the polynomial $x^4-8x^2+15$ by writing it in terms of $x^2$. Let $y=x^2$, then</p>
<p>$y^2-8y+15=(y-3)(y-5)$</p>
<p>so that</p>
<p>$x^4-8x^2+15=(x^2-3)(x^2-5).$</p>
<p>Thus,</p>
<p>$f'(x)=\frac{2x\,(x^2-3)(x^2-5)}{e^{x^2}}.$</p>
<p>Since $e^{x^2}>0$ for all $x$, the zeros of $f'(x)$ are determined by</p>
<p>$2x\,(x^2-3)(x^2-5)=0.$</p>
<p>That gives the critical points:</p>
<p><p>$2x=0 \Rightarrow x=0$,</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2-3=0 \Rightarrow x=\pm\sqrt{3}$,</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2-5=0 \Rightarrow x=\pm\sqrt{5}$.</p></p>
<p>Step 3. Analyzing the Sign of $f'(x)$:</p>
<p>We need to determine the nature (maximum or minimum) by looking at the sign changes of $f'(x)$ on the intervals determined by the critical points $x=-\sqrt{5}$, $x=-\sqrt{3}$, $x=0$, $x=\sqrt{3}$, and $x=\sqrt{5}$. Notice that the factor $2x\,(x^2-3)(x^2-5)$ will dictate the sign.</p>
<p>Let’s define:</p>
<p>$h(x)=x\,(x^2-3)(x^2-5).$</p>
<p>Examine the sign of $h(x)$ in each interval:</p>
<p>For $x < -\sqrt{5}$:</p>
<p><p>$x$ is negative.</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2>5$ so $x^2-3>0$ and $x^2-5>0$.</p></p>
<p><p>Product: negative $\times$ positive $\times$ positive = negative.</p></p>
<p><p>Thus, $f'(x)<0$.</p></p>
<p>For $-\sqrt{5} < x < -\sqrt{3}$:</p>
<p><p>$x$ is negative.</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2$ is between 3 and 5 so $x^2-3>0$ while $x^2-5<0$.</p></p>
<p><p>Product: negative $\times$ positive $\times$ negative = positive.</p></p>
<p><p>Thus, $f'(x)>0$.</p></p>
<p>For $-\sqrt{3} < x < 0$:</p>
<p><p>$x$ is negative.</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2<3$ so both $x^2-3<0$ and $x^2-5<0$.</p></p>
<p><p>Product: negative $\times$ negative $\times$ negative = negative.</p></p>
<p><p>Thus, $f'(x)<0$.</p></p>
<p>For $0 < x < \sqrt{3}$:</p>
<p><p>$x$ is positive.</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2<3$ so both $x^2-3<0$ and $x^2-5<0$.</p></p>
<p><p>Product: positive $\times$ negative $\times$ negative = positive.</p></p>
<p><p>Thus, $f'(x)>0$.</p></p>
<p>For $\sqrt{3} < x < \sqrt{5}$:</p>
<p><p>$x$ is positive.</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2$ is between 3 and 5 so $x^2-3>0$ while $x^2-5<0$.</p></p>
<p><p>Product: positive $\times$ positive $\times$ negative = negative.</p></p>
<p><p>Thus, $f'(x)<0$.</p></p>
<p>For $x > \sqrt{5}$:</p>
<p><p>$x$ is positive.</p></p>
<p><p>$x^2>5$ so both $x^2-3>0$ and $x^2-5>0$.</p></p>
<p><p>Product: positive $\times$ positive $\times$ positive = positive.</p></p>
<p><p>Thus, $f'(x)>0$.</p></p>
<p>Step 4. Classify the Critical Points:</p>
<p><p>At $x=-\sqrt{5}$: $f'(x)$ changes from negative to positive → local minimum.</p></p>
<p><p>At $x=-\sqrt{3}$: $f'(x)$ changes from positive to negative → local maximum.</p></p>
<p><p>At $x=0$: $f'(x)$ changes from negative to positive → local minimum.</p></p>
<p><p>At $x=\sqrt{3}$: $f'(x)$ changes from positive to negative → local maximum.</p></p>
<p><p>At $x=\sqrt{5}$: $f'(x)$ changes from negative to positive → local minimum.</p></p>
<p>Step 5. Conclusion:</p>
<p>There are local maximum points at $x=-\sqrt{3}$ and $x=\sqrt{3}$ (2 points in total), and local minimum points at $x=-\sqrt{5}$, $x=0$, and $x=\sqrt{5}$ (3 points in total).</p>
<p>Thus, the numbers of local maximum and local minimum points of $f$ are 2 and 3, respectively.</p>
<p>The correct option is Option C.</p>
About this question
Subject: Mathematics · Chapter: Application of Derivatives · Topic: Tangents and Normals
This question is part of PrepWiser's free JEE Main question bank. 99 more solved questions on Application of Derivatives are available — start with the harder ones if your accuracy is >70%.