Determine the local maxima and minima of f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3.

Determine the local maxima and minima of f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3.

Step 1: Write down the function f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3.
Step 2: Find the first derivative f'(x) to determine the slope of the function. The first derivative is f'(x) = 2x - 4.
Step 3: Set the first derivative equal to zero to find critical points: 2x - 4 = 0.
Step 4: Solve for x: 2x = 4, so x = 2.
Step 5: Find the second derivative f''(x) to determine the concavity of the function. The second derivative is f''(x) = 2.
Step 6: Analyze the second derivative: since f''(x) = 2 is greater than 0, this indicates that the function is concave up at x = 2.
Step 7: Conclude that there is a local minimum at x = 2.

Finding Local Extrema – This involves using the first and second derivative tests to identify local maxima and minima of a function.
Critical Points – Identifying where the first derivative is zero or undefined to find potential local extrema.
Second Derivative Test – Using the second derivative to determine the concavity of the function at critical points.