Chapter 3

Applications of Differentiation
Definition of Extrema
Figure 3.1
Theorem 3.1 The Extreme
Value Theorem
 Extreme Value Theorem
If f is continuous on [a,b] then f must have both an absolute maximum
and absolute minimum value in the interval.

Examples:

4 4 4

2 2 2

a b a b a b
-5 5 -5 5 -5 5

-2 -2 -2

-4 -4 -4
 Extreme Value Theorem
If f is continuous on [a,b] then f must have both an absolute maximum
and absolute minimum value in the interval.

Examples:

4 Absolute 4 4

Maximum
2 2 Abs Max 2 Abs Max

a b a b a b
-5 5 -5 5 -5 5

-2 -2 Abs Min-2

-4 -4 -4

Abs Min

Absolute
Minimum
Extreme values can be in the interior or the end points of
a function.

No Absolute
Maximum

2
y x
Absolute Minimum
D  ,  

 No
Maximum

2
y x
No Minimum
D 0, 2 

Definition of Relative Extrema
Local Extreme Values:

A local maximum is the maximum value within some

open interval.

A local minimum is the minimum value within some open

interval.


Figure 3.2
 Absolute maximum
(also local maximum)

Local maximum
Local minimum

Local minimum
Local extremes
Absolute minimum are also called
(also local minimum) relative extremes.


 Absolute maximum
(also local maximum)

Local maximum
Local minimum

Local minimum
Local extremes
Absolute minimum are also called
(also local minimum) relative extremes.


 Absolute maximum
(also local maximum)

Local maximum

Local minimum

Notice that local extremes in the interior of the function

occur where f  is zero or f  is undefined.


Definition of a Critical Number
and Figure 3.4
 Theorem 3.2 Relative Extrema
Occur Only at Critical Numbers

Note:
Maximum and minimum points in the interior of a function
always occur at critical points, but critical points are not
always maximum or minimum values.
Guidelines for Finding Extrema on a
Closed Interval
 EXAMPLE 3 FINDING ABSOLUTE EXTREMA
Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of
f  x   x 2 / 3 on the interval   2,3 .

f  x  x 2/3
There are no values of x that will make
1
the first derivative equal to zero.
2 
f  x   x 3
3 The first derivative is undefined at x=0,
so (0,0) is a critical point.
2
f  x   3
3 x Because the function is defined over a
closed interval, we also must check the
endpoints.

 f  x  x 2/3
D   2,3

At: x 0 f 0  0 To determine if this critical point is

actually a maximum or minimum, we
try points on either side, without
passing other critical points.

f  1 1 f 1 1
Since 0<1, this must be at least a local minimum, and
possibly a global minimum.
2
At: x  2 f  2   2  1.5874
3

2
At: x 3 f 3 3 2.08008
3


 f  x  x 2/3
D   2,3

At: x 0 f 0  0 To determine if this critical point is

Absoluteor minimum, we
actually a maximum
try points on minimum:  
0, 0
either side, without
passing other critical points.
Absolute
f  1 1 f 1 1 maximum:  3, 2.08
Since 0<1, this must be at least a local minimum, and
possibly a global minimum.
2
At: x  2 f  2   2  1.5874
3

2
At: x 3 f 3 3 2.08008
3


 Critical points are not always extremes!

3
y x

f  0
(not an extreme)


 1/ 3
y x

f  is undefined.
(not an extreme)


Locate the extrema of the x3 5 x 2
function on [-5, 10] f ( x)    24 x
3 2
1. Find f’(x) = 0 f '( x)  x 2  5 x  24
0  x  8  x  3
C.P.at x 8,  3

2. Test the critical f ( 5) 15.833

points and the f ( 3) 40.5
endpoints in the f (8)  181.3
original function.
f (10)  156.7

3. Identify the Absolute max at (3, 40.5)

highest and lowest Absolute min at (8, -181.3)
points.
max

min
f ( x)  x 3  5 x 2  9 x  45 Find the extrema on [-5, -2]

f '( x) 3 x 2  10 x  9
1. Find f’(x) = 0
0 3 x 2  10 x  9
x  .407 and .737

2. Test the critical f(-5) = 0 We don’t use

points and the x = .737
endpoints in the f(-4.07) = 7.035 since it’s not
original function. f(.737) = -48.52 in the
interval.
f(-2) = -15
3. Identify the Absolute max (-4.07. 7.035)
highest and lowest
points. Absolute min (-2, -15)
max

min
 • Find the extrema of f ( x) 2sin x  cos x 2 x on the interval [0,2 ]
f ' ( x) 2cos x  2sin 2 x 0  2cos x  4cos x sin x 0  2cos x(1  2sin x) 0
1  3 7 11
 cos x 0 or sin x  So, x  , , ,
2 2 2 6 6
f (0)  1

f ( ) 3 ----- MAXIMUM
2
7 3
f ( )  ----- MINIMUM
6 2
3
f ( )  1
2
11 3
f( )  ----- MINIMUM
6 2
f (2 )  1
  2 x 2  8 x  6  3  x 0 Find the extrema of the
f ( x)  2
 x  2x  6 0  x 3 function.

 4 x  8 3 x 0
1. Find f’(x) = 0 f '( x) 
 2x  2 0 x 3
f '( 2) 0
f ' 1 0

2. Test the critical

points and the f ( 3) 0 f ( 2) 2 f (0)  6
endpoints in the lim f (0)  6 f (1)  7 f (3)  3
x 0
original function.
3. Identify the Absolute max (-2, 2)
highest and lowest
points. Absolute min (1, -7)
max

min
Or you can set the equation equal to 0 and look for the
critical number!!!!!!