Let \(f(x)=x\cos(x)\) on \([-\pi,\pi]\).
a) Determine the symmetry of the graph and find all intercepts.
b) A line \(h\) through the origin is tangent to the restricted graph at \(P(x_0,f(x_0))\), where \(x_0>0\). A one-sided tangent at an endpoint is allowed. Find the equation of \(h\) and the coordinates of \(P\).
c) The line \(g(x)=\frac{1}{2}x\) intersects the graph of \(f\). Find all intersection points in the given interval.
Hints
- Compare \(f(-x)\) with \(f(x)\) and \(-f(x)\).
- A line through the origin has the form \(y=mx\).
- At a tangency point, the secant slope from the origin equals the derivative.
- Intersection points satisfy equal function values.
Solution
1. Since \(f(-x)=(-x)\cos(-x)=-x\cos(x)=-f(x)\), the function is odd and the graph has origin symmetry. The zeros satisfy \(x\cos(x)=0\), giving \(x=-\frac{\pi}{2},0,\frac{\pi}{2}\). The y-intercept is also \((0,0)\).
2. A line through the origin has equation \(h(x)=mx\). At a tangency point with \(x_0\ne0\), its slope must satisfy \(m=\frac{f(x_0)}{x_0}=\cos(x_0)\) and \(m=f'(x_0)=\cos(x_0)-x_0\sin(x_0)\). Therefore, \(x_0\sin(x_0)=0\). With \(x_0>0\) in the stated interval, \(x_0=\pi\). Then \(P=(\pi,-\pi)\) and \(m=-1\), so \(h(x)=-x\).
3. Solve \(x\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}x\): \(x\left(\cos(x)-\frac{1}{2}\right)=0\). Thus \(x=0\) or \(\cos(x)=\frac{1}{2}\). In \([-\pi,\pi]\), the solutions are \(x=0,\pm\frac{\pi}{3}\). The intersection points are \((0,0)\), \(\left(\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{\pi}{6}\right)\), and \(\left(-\frac{\pi}{3},-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)\).
Answer
a) The graph has origin symmetry. Its intercepts are \(\left(-\frac{\pi}{2},0\right)\), \((0,0)\), and \(\left(\frac{\pi}{2},0\right)\).
b) \(P=(\pi,-\pi)\), and \(h(x)=-x\).
c) \((0,0)\), \(\left(\frac{\pi}{3},\frac{\pi}{6}\right)\), and \(\left(-\frac{\pi}{3},-\frac{\pi}{6}\right)\).