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3-1 Extrema On An Interval

The document defines and discusses extrema (maximum and minimum values) of functions on intervals. It states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval, it will have both an absolute maximum and minimum on that interval (Extreme Value Theorem). Relative extrema occur only at critical numbers, which are points where the derivative is 0 or undefined. To find the absolute extrema of a function on a closed interval, one finds the critical numbers in the interval, evaluates the function at each, and at the endpoints, and the greatest and least values are the absolute maximum and minimum.

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156 views9 pages

3-1 Extrema On An Interval

The document defines and discusses extrema (maximum and minimum values) of functions on intervals. It states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval, it will have both an absolute maximum and minimum on that interval (Extreme Value Theorem). Relative extrema occur only at critical numbers, which are points where the derivative is 0 or undefined. To find the absolute extrema of a function on a closed interval, one finds the critical numbers in the interval, evaluates the function at each, and at the endpoints, and the greatest and least values are the absolute maximum and minimum.

Uploaded by

Abby
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EXTREMA 

ON AN INTERVAL

In the figure below, on the closed interval [ –1, 8]

(8, 12)

(2, 9)

(5, 3)

(–1, – 2)

f has an absolute maximum  at:
f has an absolute minimum  at:
f has a relative maximum  at:
f has a relative minimum  at:  

1
The absolute maximum and absolute minimum 
values of f are called the extreme values  of f, or 
the extrema  of  f.
(–1, 5) (4, 3 )
Abs. max at :

Abs. min at: (2, 1)

(2, 5)

Abs. max at :

Abs. min at: (4, 1)

(–1, – 1)

(3, 2) 
Abs. max at :

Abs. min at:
(–1, – 1) (5,  –1)

What conditions are necessary to guarantee 
there will be an abs. max. and an abs. min?

2
Extreme Value Theorem
If f is continuous on a closed interval [a, b], then 
f has both a minimum and a maximum on the 
interval.

Definition of Extrema
Let f be defined on an interval I containing c

1.  f(c) is the minimum of f on I if f(c) ≤ f(x) 
     for all x in I.
2.  f(c) is the maximum of f on I if f(c) ≥ f(x) 
     for all x in I.

The minimum and maximum of a function on an 
interval are extreme values, or extrema, of the 
function on the interval.  The minimum and 
maximum of a function on an interval are also 
called the absolute minimum and absolute 
maximum on the interval.

Graphic Examples

3
Absolute 
Maximum
Relative 
Maximum

Relative 
Minimum
Absolute 
Minimum

Definition of relative extrema
1.   If there is an open interval containing c on which 
f(c) is a maximum, then f(c) is called a relative 
maximum of f.

2.  If there is an open interval containing c on which 
f(c) is a minimum, then f(c) is called a relative 
minimum of f.

4
Definition of a critical number
Let f be defined at c.  If f 'c = 0, or if f is not 
differentiable at c, then c is a critical number.

Relative Extrema occur only at Critical Numbers

Guidelines to Finding Extrema on a Closed 
Interval.  

1.   Find the critical numbers of f in (a,b).

2.   Evaluate f at each critical number in (a,b).

3.   Evaluate f at each endpoint of (a,b).

4.   The least on these values in the minimum; 
the greatest is the maximum.

5
EX. Find the critical numbers.
(A)

(B)

6
EX.  Find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum 
  values of f on the given interval.

(A) [ –1, 2]

7
(B) [ 0, 2π]

8
Ex. 4:  Find the extrema of f(x) = 2 sinx ­ cos 2x 
on the interval [0,2π]

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