Analyze \(f(x)=\frac{4x}{x^2+4}\). Find the domain, symmetry, intercepts, end behavior and asymptotes, local extrema, and inflection points.
Hints
- Check whether the denominator can be zero and compare \(f(-x)\) with \(f(x)\).
- Compare the numerator and denominator degrees for end behavior.
- Use the first derivative for extrema and the second derivative for inflection points.
- Verify sign changes at all derivative zeros.
Solution
1. Since \(x^2+4>0\) for every real \(x\), the domain is \(\mathbb{R}\).
2. Since \(f(-x)=-f(x)\), the graph is symmetric about the origin. The x- and y-intercepts are both \((0, 0)\).
3. The denominator has greater degree than the numerator, so \(\lim_{x\to\pm\infty}f(x)=0\). The horizontal asymptote is \(y=0\).
4. The first derivative is \(f'(x)=\frac{16-4x^2}{(x^2+4)^2}\). It is zero at \(x=\pm 2\). The derivative changes from negative to positive at \(x=-2\), giving a local minimum at \((-2, -1)\), and from positive to negative at \(x=2\), giving a local maximum at \((2, 1)\).
5. The second derivative is \(f''(x)=\frac{8x(x^2-12)}{(x^2+4)^3}\). Its zeros are \(x=-2\sqrt{3}\), \(x=0\), and \(x=2\sqrt{3}\), and its sign changes at each one.
6. The inflection points are \(\left(-2\sqrt{3}, -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\), \((0, 0)\), and \(\left(2\sqrt{3}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\).
Answer
Domain: \(\mathbb{R}\); symmetric about the origin; intercept: \((0, 0)\); horizontal asymptote: \(y=0\); local minimum: \((-2, -1)\); local maximum: \((2, 1)\); inflection points: \(\left(-2\sqrt{3}, -\frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\), \((0, 0)\), and \(\left(2\sqrt{3}, \frac{\sqrt{3}}{2}\right)\)