Final answer:
The linearization l(x) of the function f(x) = x⁴ - 2x² at a = 1 is y = -1. This is obtained by finding the derivative, evaluating it at x = 1, and determining the value of the function at that point.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the linearization l(x) of the function f(x) = x⁴ - 2x² at a = 1, we need to determine the tangent line to the function at that point.
The equation for a tangent line in linearization is given by l(x) = f(a) + f'(a)(x - a).
First, we find the derivative of the function, f'(x), which is 4x³ - 4x. Now, we evaluate this derivative at a = 1: f'(1) = 4(1)³ - 4(1) = 0.
Then we find the value of the function at that point: f(1) = 1⁴ - 2(1)² = -1.
With these values, the linearization equation becomes l(x) = -1 + 0·(x - 1) = -1.
Therefore, the linearization of the function at a = 1 is simply y = -1.