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Multiple Choice
For what value of is the tangent line to the function horizontal?
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Verified step by step guidance
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Step 1: Recall that the slope of the tangent line to a function f(x) at a point is given by the derivative f'(x). A horizontal tangent line occurs when the slope is zero, i.e., f'(x) = 0.
Step 2: Compute the derivative of the given function f(x) = x^3 - 3x^2 + 2. Using the power rule, the derivative is f'(x) = 3x^2 - 6x.
Step 3: Set the derivative equal to zero to find the x-values where the tangent line is horizontal: 3x^2 - 6x = 0.
Step 4: Factor the equation to simplify: 3x(x - 2) = 0. This gives two solutions: x = 0 and x = 2.
Step 5: Verify the given options and check if x = 1 satisfies the condition. Substitute x = 1 into f'(x) = 3x^2 - 6x to confirm whether the slope is zero. If f'(1) = 0, then x = 1 is the correct answer.