Section 9.

Absolute and Local Extrema

Find the absolute maximum and minimum point/s of the function on the given closed interval
a, b. Briefly explain why each function is continuous, and thus the Extreme Value Theorem is
applicable. A graph of each function is shown, to allow you to check that your points are correct.
Based on the graph, classify each critical point as either a local maximum or a local minimum or
neither.

1. f x x 3 2 x 5 3 on 4, 2.

1000

500

0
-5 -2.5 0 2.5 5 7.5

-500

-1000

-1500

-2000

2. f x x 3 2 x 5 3 on 2, 7. Note: this is the same function as Exercise 1, but on a

3. y 2x 7 4 3x 10 3 on 2, 5

y
2.5e+6

1.25e+6

0
-4 -2 0 2 4

-1.25e+6

-2.5e+6

Section 9. Absolute and Local Extrema 36

y
6

0
-2 0 2 4

-2

5. f x x cos2x on ,
4 3

y
5

2.5

0
-1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

-2.5

-5

6. f x 3 x cos2x on 3/4, /4

y
1.25

x
-2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5
0

-1.25

-2.5

-3.75

Section 9. Absolute and Local Extrema 37

0.5

0.25

0
-1 -0.5 0 0.5 1

-0.25

-0.5

8. f x 2 x 2 sin 2 x on 3 , 2 . Hint: 2 sinx cosx sin2x.

y
1.25

x
-2 -1 0 1 2
0

-1.25

-2.5

-3.75

9. f x 2 cos 2 x 3 x on /4, .

1.25

0
-0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

-1.25

-2.5

Section 9. Absolute and Local Extrema 38