9.Extreme Values of Functions-1
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rajuchaswik9.Extreme Values of Functions-1
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rajuchaswikAPPLICATIONS OF DERIVATIVES
Extreme Values of Functions
DEFINITIONS
Absolute Maximum, Absolute Minimum
Let ƒ be a function with domain D. Then ƒ has an absolute maximum value on D a
point c if
Absolute maximum and minimum values are called absolute extrema (plural of the
Latin extremum).
Absolute maximum and minimum values are called absolute
extrema (plural of the Latin extremum). Absolute extrema are also
called global extrema, to distinguish them from local extrema
defined below.
The absolute extrema of the following functions on their domains can be seen in the
following figure :
Theorem : Extreme Value Theorem
If ƒ is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] , then ƒ attains both an absolute maximum
value M and an absolute minimum value m in [a, b] . That is, there are numbers and in
[a, b] with , , and every other x in [a, b].
Local (Relative ) Extreme values
Definitions : Local Maximum, Local Minimum
A function ƒ has a local maximum value at an interior point c of its domain D if for all x in
some open interval containing c.
A function ƒ has a local minimum value at an interior point c of its domain D if for all x in
some open interval containing c.
We can extend the definitions of local extrema to the endpoints of intervals
by defining ƒ to have a local maximum or local minimum value at an
endpoint c if the appropriate inequality holds for all x in some half-open
interval in its domain containing c.
In Figure (previous slide), the function ƒ has local maxima at c and d and
local minima at a, e, and b. Local extrema are also called relative extrema.
An absolute maximum is also a local maximum. Being the largest value
overall, it is also the largest value in its immediate neighborhood.
Hence, a list of all local maxima will automatically include the absolute
maximum if there is one. Similarly, a list of all local minima will include the
absolute minimum if there is one.
Theorem
The first derivative theorem for local extreme values :
If f has a local maximum or minimum value at an interior point c of its
domain, and if is defined at c , then
Theorem says that a function’s first derivative is always zero at an interior point where
the function has a local extreme value and the derivative is defined.
If we recall that all the domains we consider are intervals or unions of separate
intervals, the only places where a function ƒ can possibly have an extreme value (local
or global) are
• interior points where = 0
• interior points where ƒ is undefined
• endpoints of the domain of ƒ.
Definition: An interior point of the domain of
a function ƒ where ƒ is zero or undefined is a
critical point of ƒ.
A function may have a critical point at x = c without having a local
extreme value there. For instance, both of the functions y = x3 and y =
x1/3 have critical points at the origin, but neither function has a local
extreme value at the origin. Instead, each function has a point of
inflection there
How to Find the Absolute Extrema of a Continuous Function ƒ on a Finite Closed Interval
1. Evaluate ƒ at all critical points and endpoints.
2. Take the largest and smallest of these values.
