High School

Let [tex]f(x)[/tex] be a twice-differentiable function such that [tex]f^{\prime}(x) = x^2 f(x)[/tex] for all [tex]x[/tex]. If [tex]f(3) = 2[/tex], what is [tex]f^{\prime \prime}(3)[/tex]?

A. 66
B. 108
C. 150
D. 174

Answer :

To solve the problem, we need to find out what [tex]\( f''(3) \)[/tex] is, given that [tex]\( f'(x) = x^2 f(x) \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f(3) = 2 \)[/tex].

### Step-by-Step Solution

1. Differentiate [tex]\( f'(x) = x^2 f(x) \)[/tex]:

We need to find the second derivative of [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex]. Starting with the first derivative given:

[tex]\[
f'(x) = x^2 f(x)
\][/tex]

Differentiate both sides with respect to [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. The right-hand side requires the product rule, as it is a product of [tex]\( x^2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex]. The product rule states that [tex]\( (uv)' = u'v + uv' \)[/tex].

Let [tex]\( u = x^2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( v = f(x) \)[/tex]. Then, [tex]\( u' = 2x \)[/tex] and [tex]\( v' = f'(x) \)[/tex].

Applying the product rule:

[tex]\[
f''(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(x^2 f(x)) = u'v + uv' = 2x f(x) + x^2 f'(x)
\][/tex]

2. Substitute [tex]\( f(3) = 2 \)[/tex] and the expression for [tex]\( f'(3) \)[/tex]:

Given [tex]\( f(3) = 2 \)[/tex], this value is substituted for [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] when [tex]\( x = 3 \)[/tex].

We also know that:

[tex]\[
f'(x) = x^2 f(x)
\][/tex]

So,

[tex]\[
f'(3) = 3^2 \cdot f(3) = 9 \cdot 2 = 18
\][/tex]

We need [tex]\( f''(3) \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
f''(x) = 2x f(x) + x^2 f'(x)
\][/tex]

Substitute [tex]\( x = 3 \)[/tex] and the values [tex]\( f(3) = 2 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( f'(3) = 18 \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
f''(3) = 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 2 + 3^2 \cdot 18
\][/tex]

3. Calculate [tex]\( f''(3) \)[/tex]:

[tex]\[
f''(3) = 2 \cdot 3 \cdot 2 + 9 \cdot 18
\][/tex]

Simplify the calculations:

[tex]\[
f''(3) = 12 + 162
\][/tex]

Thus,

[tex]\[
f''(3) = 174
\][/tex]

4. Conclusion:

Therefore, the value of [tex]\( f''(3) \)[/tex] is [tex]\(\boxed{174}\)[/tex].