Consider the family \(g_{k,m}(x)=\frac{k}{x^2+m}\), where \(k,m\in\mathbb{R}\setminus\{0\}\).
a) Show that every graph is symmetric about the y-axis.
b) When \(m>0\), the graph has exactly one local extremum. Give its coordinates in terms of \(k\) and \(m\), and classify it according to the sign of \(k\).
c) Let \(k=1\). Find \(m\) if the graph passes through \(P=(1, 0.25)\).
d) When \(m<0\), give the equations of the vertical asymptotes in terms of \(m\).
Method requirement: For every conclusion that a local extremum occurs, show the sign of the relevant first derivative on the two sides of the critical number and explicitly use the first derivative test. A critical-number calculation alone is not sufficient.
Hints
- Compare \(g_{k,m}(-x)\) with \(g_{k,m}(x)\).
- Find and classify the critical point using the first derivative.
- Substitute the given point into the function.
- Solve \(x^2+m=0\) when \(m<0\).
Solution
1. Since \(g_{k,m}(-x)=\frac{k}{(-x)^2+m}=g_{k,m}(x)\), every graph is symmetric about the y-axis.
2. Differentiate: \(g_{k,m}'(x)=\frac{-2kx}{(x^2+m)^2}\). For \(m>0\), the denominator is always positive, and the only critical point is \(x=0\).
3. The critical point is \(\left(0, \frac{k}{m}\right)\). If \(k>0\), the derivative changes from positive to negative, so it is a local maximum. If \(k<0\), the derivative changes from negative to positive, so it is a local minimum.
4. With \(k=1\), the point condition gives \(\frac{1}{1+m}=0.25=\frac{1}{4}\). Therefore, \(1+m=4\), so \(m=3\).
5. For \(m<0\), vertical asymptotes occur where \(x^2+m=0\). Thus, \(x=\pm\sqrt{-m}\).
Answer
a) \(g_{k,m}(-x)=g_{k,m}(x)\), so every graph is symmetric about the y-axis.
b) The extremum is \(\left(0, \frac{k}{m}\right)\): a local maximum if \(k>0\), and a local minimum if \(k<0\).
c) \(m=3\)
d) \(x=-\sqrt{-m}\) and \(x=\sqrt{-m}\)