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Multiple Choice
For the curve , at which point does the tangent line have the largest slope?
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Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: To find the slope of the tangent line at any point on the curve, calculate the derivative of the given function y = 1 + 40x^3 - 3x^5. The derivative, y', represents the slope of the tangent line.
Step 2: Differentiate the function y = 1 + 40x^3 - 3x^5 term by term. Using the power rule (d/dx[x^n] = n*x^(n-1)), the derivative is y' = 120x^2 - 15x^4.
Step 3: To find where the slope is largest, identify the critical points of y' by setting its derivative (y'') equal to zero. Compute the second derivative y'' = d/dx[120x^2 - 15x^4], which is y'' = 240x - 60x^3.
Step 4: Solve the equation y'' = 240x - 60x^3 = 0 to find the critical points. Factorize the equation: 60x(4 - x^2) = 0, which gives x = 0, x = 2, and x = -2.
Step 5: Evaluate y' at the given points (x = 0, x = 2, x = 4, x = -4) to determine which point yields the largest slope. Compare the values of y' at these points to identify the maximum slope.