Absolute Extrema of a function on an interval and

Optimization Problems

Raymond Louis S. Tañedo

Institute of Mathematics
University of the Philippines, Diliman
Absolute Extrema

De�nition
#
Let f be a function. Then
�. f is said to have absolute maximum value on an interval I at x�
if f(x� ) f(x) for all x 2 I.
�. f is said to have absolute minimum value on an interval I at x� if
f(x� )  f(x) for all x 2 I.
�. f has an absolute extremum value at x� on I if f has either an
absolute minimum or absolute maximum at x� .

Ho "fld:+310
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The Extreme Value Theorem

EUT

Theorem (The Extreme Value Theorem)

If f is continuous on [a, b], then f has both an absolute maximum
and absolute minimum on [a, b].

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 them; If I is
Finding Absolute Extrema
an
open
interval and I has only
one critical no:

Consider a function f on an interval I. If this are, ext. at Xo,

f has abs-ext. at x0.

�. Check if f is continuous on I.
=>
an

�. Find the critical numbers of f.

�. �.� If I is a closed interval [a, b], evaluate f(a), f(b), and function
values of the critical numbers. The number that gives the highest
(lowest) value of f gives the absolute maximum (minimum).
�.� If I is not a closed interval
�.�.� and f has only one critical number and I is an open interval, use
SDT and conclude.
�.�.� and f has more than one critical number, get the function values
of the critical numbers and the endpoint (of the closed part if I is
[a, b) half-open) and evaluate the limit of f as x approaches the
endpoint/tails of the intervals.
(a, b] �/��
Examples
Find the absolute extrema of the following function on the given
interval.
�. f(x) = x� �x � on [ �, �] · f has an abs. min ak

[-1,4] is
Se& cout, on since x =
5/2 and has

poly. func
a
an abs max at X = -

1.
is
fid=131-50K
&
zero

when c =
zz [-1.47
CM:
E.
&
3
1+5-3
=

fH) =

16-20-3 =-7
-

(4):

(E)
=

25-25-3=-3--9... �/��
 �
�. f(x) = on [ �, �]
x

Exercise!)

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 � �
�. f(x) = sin �x on �,
� : f has a rel. max at
x=f
&
&
contof on
10, 1 I
=> has an abs. max at x=
F
&
fd= 220522 WK is

I = O. Hence,
zero when cos

xc =
= 10, 11. ON:

(-2sin2c) (2)
&
f"Gd =

i-4sin2>L

f"() =-4sin2 (#) =-PsinE

=>

=-
4(1)=-4<8

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contf

·
fid=axalisnermansar
�. f(x) = �x� + � on [�,

5 CN:
on [0,0)

O
)

·
f10) =
310144 = 4

·
lime flic) = lim (3(2+4) =
8

sto
xt D

abs, but I has abs-min at x=0.

if
an
has no max

ercise: There is function that has

The or false: a

& abs, min

#

no abs, max

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Recall

Remark
The following are steps in solving optimization problems.
�. Draw a diagram, if possible.
�. Assign variables to all quantities involved.
�. Identify the objective function.
�. Determine the domain or constraint of the objective function
from the physical restrictions of the problem.
�. Use appropriate problems involving absolute extrema to solve
the problem.

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 Examples
�. Find two numbers such that their di�erence is �� and their
product is as small as possible.
Then SDT, f has rel. min
&
Letes be the
largest number. By a

xc-30 is the smaller number. at x= 15. Thus, I has an

abs min at 0 =
15
⑤ minimize product
.

the

ccks-301 -300 the two numbers

flc =
=cc
Hence, are

constraint: 1
(0,0) x 15 and 15-30 =- 15.

*
=
=

uk is cen

&
fc 212-30
=

CN: 15
when cc = 15 IR.

fK2) = 2

f" (15)
=> =2 > 0
�/��
 to, o
�. Find the area of the largest rectangle having two vertices on the
x-axis and two vertices above the x-axis and on the parabola
with equation y = � x� .
&
Let (20) be one of the vertices of the

⑧
Ifgcost
rectangle. Then the other vertices are

7- 307, 7c34-22), and K2, P-c?).

a maximize area Ald=kzled (eit

(2(() (4-22)
=

y= P-C. =82c-2123.

constraint:
④ cc
z(0,2)
G8
8-60WK
&
Ak=
is new when
s=
=> E= I
c= 1
=>
E ��/��
 CN:
F
·
A "(2) = -12(2

A
=>

"l=-12 (E)
=
co
: A has a rel. max at x =
vs
:. A has an abs, max at x=
vg
Thus,

A) E) = 0
Es)-c f): fr
of the largest rectangle
-

wl vertices
is the area

18.0), FE.0), IE'l). ti's)

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 2000

�. A closed box with a square base is to have a volume ->

��� cubic
inches. The material for the top and bottom of the box cost ��
pesos per square inch and the material for the side cost �� S

pesos per square inch. Find the dimensions of the box so that
the total cost of the material is least.
o &
Lets be the
length of the square base

_T
h -

height of the box.

v = 2000 = ch =>h 200

=

"minimize
& cost ((d=50/2s) + 15(4ch)
60x +
200s
=

④constraint: at (0,0)
��/��
⑤ 10,000
calicoat
('d= 1204 -

C"(x) = 120+ o
("(10)
=>
= 120+
000 zo

at 10
: C has a rel. min x=

at 10
abs.Min
=
x
·. C has an

of the box arecc=10n, [C=10in,

: the dimensions
the cost thee
2000
and h = =
20 in s. 7,
of

materal is least.

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Exercise
�. Find an equation of the tangent line to the curve
y = x� �x� + �x that has the least slope.
�. The product of two positive numbers x and y is equal to �. Find
the largest possible value of xy .

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