Find the local maximum and minimum of $LaTeX: \displaystyle f(x) = - x^{3} + 5 x^{2} - 7 x + 2$ .

To find the critical numbers solve $LaTeX: \displaystyle f'(x) = 0$ . The derivative is $LaTeX: \displaystyle f'(x) = - 3 x^{2} + 10 x - 7$ . Solving $LaTeX: \displaystyle - 3 x^{2} + 10 x - 7 = 0$ gives $LaTeX: \displaystyle x = \left[ 1, \ \frac{7}{3}\right]$ . Using the 2nd derivative test gives:
$LaTeX: \displaystyle f''\left( 1 \right) = 4$ which is greater than zero, so the function is concave up and $LaTeX: \displaystyle f\left(1\right) = -1$ is a local minimum.
$LaTeX: \displaystyle f''\left( \frac{7}{3} \right) = -4$ which is less than zero, so the function is concave down and $LaTeX: \displaystyle f\left(\frac{7}{3}\right) = \frac{5}{27}$ is a local maximum.