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 \(k\) using the first derivative test.
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 \(m\).
Hints
- What evidence would establish the number and type of local extrema?
- How does the parameter affect where the function is defined?
- How could the sign of a derivative help distinguish the two types of turning point?
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 \(x=\sqrt{-m}\)