1. x-intercepts

when x = 0, x = 5

 

2. y-intercepts:

When x = 0, y = 0.

 

3. maxima and minima?

when x = 0 or x = 4

 

So we have max or min at (0,0) and (4,-256).

 

4. Second derivative:

Now y" = 0 for x = 0 so (0,0) is ???

Now y" > 0 for x = 4 so (4,-256) is a local MIN

 

We now use the second derivative to find points of inflection:

 

when x = 0 or x = 3

 

If x < 0, y" < 0:

 

If 0 < x < 3, y" < 0:

 

There is no sign change, so at x = 0, there is NO point of inflection.

If x > 3, y" > 0:

So the sign of y" has changed, so (3,-162) is a point of inflection.

Actually, at x = 0, we have a FLAT SPOT. It is not a local maximum, even though it may appear so.

So we are ready to sketch the curve: