Find the local maximum and minimum of $LaTeX: \displaystyle f(x) = 7 x^{3} - 23 x^{2} - 7 x - 4$ .

To find the critical numbers solve $LaTeX: \displaystyle f'(x) = 0$ . The derivative is $LaTeX: \displaystyle f'(x) = 21 x^{2} - 46 x - 7$ . Solving $LaTeX: \displaystyle 21 x^{2} - 46 x - 7 = 0$ gives $LaTeX: \displaystyle x = \left[ - \frac{1}{7}, \ \frac{7}{3}\right]$ . Using the 2nd derivative test gives:
$LaTeX: \displaystyle f''\left( - \frac{1}{7} \right) = -52$ which is less than zero, so the function is concave down and $LaTeX: \displaystyle f\left(- \frac{1}{7}\right) = - \frac{171}{49}$ is a local maximum.
$LaTeX: \displaystyle f''\left( \frac{7}{3} \right) = 52$ which is greater than zero, so the function is concave up and $LaTeX: \displaystyle f\left(\frac{7}{3}\right) = - \frac{1529}{27}$ is a local minimum.