# Thread: Looking for inflection points

1. ## Looking for inflection points

Find the first positive x value of x for which f(x)=sin(e^x) has an inflection point. Correctly take derivatives.

2. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

Have you found the second derivative?

3. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

Yes, it's e^x(cos(e^x)-e^xsin(e^x))

4. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

Correct. Since $0 for all real $x$, this leaves you to solve:

$f(x)=\cos(e^x)-e^x\sin(e^x)=0$

I recommend a numeric root-finding technique, such as Newton's method. Graph the function to determine a good initial guess.

5. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

I'm sorry. I don't know Newton's method?

6. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

Hello, camjenson!

Find the first positive value of $x$ for which $f(x)\:=\:\sin(e^x)$ has an inflection point.

We have: . $f(x) \:=\:\sin(e^x)$

Then: . $f'(x) \:=\:e^x\cdot\cos(e^x)$

Hence: . $f''(x) \;=\; e^x\!\cdot\!\cos(e^x) + e^x\!\cdot\![-\sin(e^x)]\!\cdot\! e^x \;=\;e^x\big[\cos(e^x) - e^x\sin(e^x)\big]$

And we must solve: . $\begin{Bmatrix}e^x \:=\:0 & [1] \\ \cos(e^x) - e^x\sin(e^x) \:=\:0 & [2] \end{Bmatrix}$

Equation [1] has no solutions.

Equation [2] can be approximated.

Let $u = e^x$
We have: . $\cos u - u\sin u \:=\:0 \quad\Rightarrow\quad u\sin u \:=\:\cos u \quad\Rightarrow\quad \frac{\sin u}{\cos u} \:=\:\frac{1}{u}$
And we can approximate a root of: . $\tan u \:=\:\frac{1}{u}$
Then back-substitute: . $x \,=\,\ln(u)$

7. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

WHat do you mean by back-substitute x=ln(u)? Sorry I'm a little slow...

8. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

Originally Posted by Soroban
...

The OP has the same result that you cite.

Originally Posted by camjenson
I'm sorry. I don't know Newton's method?
You should be able to find it in your textbook, or online. I assume you are expected to know it, since you have been given this problem.

9. ## Re: Looking for inflection points

Or perhaps the professor expects you to use a graphing calculator to find the root. The calculator uses Newton's method, but you don't need to know that to plug in the functions and get your answer.

- Hollywood