Illustrating the Extreme Value Theorem

and Solving Optimization Problems that

Yield Polynomial Functions

Jumpstart

Activity 1: Master, Review Me!

Directions: Perform the following problems. Write your solutions on the
space provided.
1.1 Evaluate. Given 𝑓(𝑥 ) = −𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 5, find the function value when
a. 𝑥 = 4 b. 𝑥 = −2

1.2 Find the Roots. Solve the values of x for the equation 3𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 20 = 0.

1.3 Power Rule for Derivatives. Use the power rule to find the derivative of the
following functions:
a. 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 4 + 7𝑥 3 − 21𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 b. 𝑔(𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 2
 Discover

Lesson 1: Illustrating the Extreme Value Theorem

Extreme Value Theorem: If f is continuous on a closed interval and bounded

interval [a, b], then the extreme values (maximum and minimum) of f always exist,
and occur either at the endpoints or at the critical points of f

The Extreme Value Theorem states the existence of absolute extrema on closed
intervals. The candidates for absolute extrema are the endpoints of the closed
interval [a, b] and the critical numbers of the function that lie in the given closed
interval.

Consider the graph of a function on a closed interval [a, b]:

For this function, the absolute

maximum occurs at the endpoint,
𝑥 = 𝑎, on the closed interval. This
means the absolute maximum value
is f(a).

Meanwhile, notice that the absolute

minimum occurs at the critical
number 𝑥 = 𝑐 in the interior of the
closed interval [a, b]. This means
the absolute minimum value is f(c).
Be guided by the definition of absolute maximum (or minimum) below:

1. f(x) has an absolute maximum at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if 𝑓(𝑥) ≤ 𝑓(𝑐) for every x in the

domain we are working on.
2. f(x) has an absolute minimum at 𝑥 = 𝑐 if 𝑓(𝑥) ≥ 𝑓(𝑐) for every x in the
domain we are working on.

The definition above only implies that an absolute maximum (or minimum) at 𝑥 = 𝑐
provided 𝑓(𝑐) is the largest (or smallest) value that the function will ever take on the
range of x’s in the given interval.

Let us consider another graph to better understand the definition above.

For the function shown in this graph, the absolute maximum is at 𝑥 = 𝑑 and the
absolute minimum is at 𝑥 = 𝑎 since these two points are the largest and smallest
that the function can get from the closed interval [a, e]. In addition, notice that the
absolute extrema for a function can occur at either the endpoints of the domain or
at critical points.

Steps in Finding Absolute Extrema of f(x) on [a, b]

1. Verify that the function is continuous on the interval [a, b].

2. Find all critical points of f(x) that are in the interval [a, b].
3. Evaluate the function at the critical points in step 2 and the endpoints.
4. Identify the absolute extrema.
Example 1: Determine the absolute extrema of the function
𝑓 (𝑥) = 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 4 on [−4, 2].
Step 1: f(x) is a polynomial function, so it is continuous everywhere. This means
that f(x) is continuous on the given interval.
Step 2: To find the critical points of the function, get the derivative using the Power
Rule.
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 12 = 6(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 1)
Let 𝑓′(𝑥)=0. Thus, it has two critical points, 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 1. Both points fall in the
interval [-4, 2] which means 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 1 are candidates for the absolute
extrema aside from endpoints.
Step 3: Evaluate the function at the critical points and the endpoints of the
interval.

𝑓(−2) = 2(−2)3 + 3(−2)2 − 12(−2) + 4 𝑓(1) = 2(1)3 + 3(1)2 − 12(1) + 4

𝒇(−𝟐) = 𝟐𝟒 𝒇(𝟏) = −𝟑
𝑓(−4) = 2(−4)3 + 3(−4)2 − 12(−4) + 4 𝑓(2) = 2(2)3 + 3(2)2 − 12(2) + 4
𝒇(−𝟒) = −𝟐𝟖 𝒇(𝟐) = 𝟖

Step 4: The absolute maximum of f(x) is 24 which occurs at 𝑥 = −2 (a critical point)

and the absolute minimum is −28 which occurs at 𝑥 = −4 (an endpoint).

Example 2: Determine the absolute extrema of the function

𝑓 (𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 on [0, 4].
Step 1: f(x) is a polynomial function, so it is continuous everywhere. This means
that f(x) is continuous on the given interval.
Step 2: To find the critical points of the function, get the derivative using the Power
Rule.
𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 12 = 3(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 2)
Let 𝑓′(𝑥)=0. Thus, it has two critical points, 𝑥 = −2 and 𝑥 = 2. However, 𝑥 = −2 does
not lie in the closed interval [0, 4] which means only 𝑥 = 2 is considered a candidate
for the absolute extrema aside from endpoints.
Step 3: Evaluate the function at the critical point and the endpoints of the interval.

𝑓(0) = (0)3 − 12(0) 𝑓(2) = (2)3 − 12(2) 𝑓(4) = (4)3 − 12(4)

𝒇(𝟎) = 𝟎 𝒇(𝟐) = −𝟏𝟔 𝒇(𝟒) = 𝟏𝟔

Step 4: The absolute maximum of f(x) is16 which occurs at 𝑥 = 4 (an endpoint) and
the absolute minimum is −16 which occurs at 𝑥 = 2 (a critical point).

Lesson 2: Solving Optimization Problems that Yield Polynomial Functions

Many real-life situations require us to find a value that best suits our needs. If we
are given several options for the value of a variable x, how do we choose the “best
value?” Such a problem is classified as an optimization problem. We now apply our
previous discussion in finding extrema of a function to solve optimization problems.

Suggested Steps in Solving Optimization Problems

1. Read the problem slowly and carefully. Know exactly what the problem is
asking.
2. If possible, draw a diagram or sketch of the problem.
3. Assign variables to all unknown quantities involved.
4. Specify the objective function. This function must be continuous.
a) Identify the quantity, say q, to be maximized or minimized.
 b) Formulate an equation involving a and other quantities. Express q in
terms of a single variable, say x. If necessary, use the information given
and relationships between quantities to eliminate some variables.
c) The objective function is
maximize 𝑞 = 𝑓(𝑥)
or minimize 𝑞 = 𝑓(𝑥).
5. Determine the domain or constraints of q from the physical restrictions of
the problem. The domain must be a closed and bounded interval.
6. Use appropriate theorems involving extrema to solve the problem. Make sure
to give the exact answer (with appropriate units) to the equation.

Example 1: A lot owner plans to enclose a rectangular field with a fence. He has
500 feet of fencing material and a building is on one side of the field that doesn’t
need any fencing. Determine the dimensions of the field that will enclose the largest
area.

Solution:

y y

The problem indicates the use of 500 ft of fencing material (perimeter) that can give
the maximum area of the rectangular field. Thus, the equations for these are:

Maximize: 𝐴 = 𝑥𝑦
Constraint: 500 = 𝑥 + 2𝑦
Since the lot owner will only fence the three sides of his rectangular lot, then we
will only add those with a sum of 500 ft.
𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑦 = 500
𝑥 + 2𝑦 = 500

From here, we will solve the constraint for one of the two variables that can be
substituted into the area function of a single variable.

Let us solve the constraint for x.

500 = 𝑥 + 2𝑦
𝑥 = 500 − 2𝑦

Substituting this into the area function gives a function of y.

𝐴(𝑦) = (500 − 2𝑦)𝑦

Now, we want to find the largest value this will have on the interval [0, 250]. The
limits in this interval corresponds to taking 𝑦 = 0 (i.e. no sides to the fence) and 𝑦 =
250 (i. e. only two sides and no width, also if there are two sides each must be 250
ft to use the whole 500 ft). This means the endpoints of the interval will not make
any sense if we want to enclose some area because both will give zero area.
𝐴(𝑦) = 500𝑦 − 2𝑦 2
Now, get the derivative and look for the critical points.
 𝐴′(𝑦) = 500 − 4𝑦
Let 𝐴′(𝑦) = 0,
0 = 500 − 4𝑦
4𝑦 = 500
4𝑦 500
=
4 4
𝑦 = 125
Substituting this into the area function gives 𝐴(125) = 31,250 𝑓𝑡 2 . This must be
the largest possible area since the area at either endpoint is zero based from our
discussion in Extreme Value Theorem.

Get the value of x to determine the dimensions being asked in this problem. We can
determine x by substituting y in the constraint.
𝑥 = 500 − 2𝑦
𝑥 = 500 − 2(125)
𝑥 = 250
Therefore, the dimensions of the field that will give the largest area by using exactly
500 ft of fencing material are 250 x 125.

Example 2: A sheet of cardboard 3 ft by 4 ft will be made into a box by cutting

equal-sized squares from each corner and folding up the four edges. Determine the
height of the box that will give the largest volume?

Solution:

The problem intends to create a box with the maximum volume out of a cardboard
with a dimension of 3ft by 4 ft.

Let the height of the box be x. So, the width or length of the corners being cut out
is also x which means the longest side will become of 4 − 2𝑥 and the width will
become 3 − 2𝑥.

Since the constraint is simply the size of the piece of cardboard and has been
factored in the figure, there is no problem about the constraint equation. In this
case, we want to maximize the volume.
𝑉 = (𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑡ℎ)(𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ)(ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡)
𝑉 = (4 − 2𝑥)(3 − 2𝑥)(𝑥)
Now, we want to find the largest value this will have on the interval [0, 1.5]. The
limits in this interval corresponds to taking 𝑥 = 0 (i.e. no box formed) and 𝑥 = 1.5 (i.
e. no box formed). We did not consider 𝑥 = 2 since the output will become negative.
 𝑉(𝑥) = 4𝑥 3 − 14𝑥 2 + 12𝑥
Now, get the derivative and look for the critical points.
𝑉′(𝑥) = 12𝑥 2 − 28𝑥 + 12
Let 𝑉′(𝑥) = 0,
0 = 12𝑥 2 − 28𝑥 + 12
Use the Quadratic formula to find the critical points.
−(−28) ± √(−28)2 − 4(12)(12)
𝑥=
2(12)

7 ± √13
𝑥=
6

Thus, 𝑥 ≈ 0.57 or 𝑥 ≈ 1.77. However, 𝑥 ≠ 1.77 since it does not lie in the interval
[0, 1.50]. Therefore, 𝑥 = 0.57.

Substituting 𝑥 = 0.57 in the Volume function gives a maximum volume of

approximately 3.03 ft3.

Therefore, x= 0.57 ft can give the largest volume.

Example 3: A manufacturer needs to make a cylindrical can that will hold 1.5
liters of liquid. Determine the dimensions of the can that will minimize the amount
of material used in its construction.

Solution:

Since 1 liter is equivalent to 1000

cubic centimeters, then 1.5 liters is
equal to 1,500 cm3.

Based from the problem, the

cylindrical can has two circles with
area of 𝜋𝑟 2 . Also, it can be made from
a rectangle wherein its length is the
circumference of a circle 2𝜋𝑟 and its height, h. This yields the area equal to 2𝜋𝑟ℎ.
The corresponding mathematical models are:
Minimize: 𝐴 = 2𝜋𝑟 2 + 2𝜋𝑟ℎ
Constraint: 𝑉 = 𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ = 1,500

Solve for h in the second equation.

𝜋𝑟 2 ℎ = 1,500
1,500
ℎ=
𝜋𝑟 2
Substitute h in the Area function to express it using one variable.

1,500
𝐴(𝑟) = 2𝜋𝑟 2 + 2𝜋𝑟 ( )
𝜋𝑟2

3,000
𝐴(𝑟) = 2𝜋𝑟 2 +
𝑟
Differentiate A(r) using the power rule.
 3,000
𝐴′ (𝑟) = 4𝜋𝑟 −
𝑟2
Let A’(r)= 0.
3,000
0 = 4𝜋𝑟 −
𝑟2
3,000
4𝜋𝑟 =
𝑟2
3,000
𝑟3 =
4𝜋

3 3,000 3 750
Since r>0, the only critical number is 𝑟 = √ =√ . It is easy to see that A’(r)<0
4𝜋 𝜋
3 750 3 750
for all 0<r< √ and A’(r)>0 for all r> √ . Therefore, the minimum value of the area
𝜋 𝜋
3 750
must occur at r= √ ≈ 6.2035cm and this value is
𝜋

3 750
𝐴 (√ ) ≈ 725.3964 𝑐𝑚2
𝜋
The height of the can is
1,500 1500
ℎ= = 2 ≈ 12.4070 𝑐𝑚
𝜋𝑟2 750
3
𝜋(√ 𝜋 )

Therefore, the dimensions of the can that will minimize the amount of material used
in constructing a cylindrical can to hold 1.5 liters of liquid are r≈ 6.2035cm and
h≈ 12.4070 𝑐𝑚.

Explore

Here are some enrichment activities for you to work on to master and
strengthen the basic concepts you have learned from this lesson.

Enrichment Activity 1: Calculate the Extrema!

Calculate the absolute extrema of the given functions. Perform using the indicated
steps.

𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 +4 Function and 𝑓 (𝑥 ) = 4𝑥 3 + 15𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 +7

on [0,2] Interval on [-1,4]

Step 1:
Continuous or
 Not?

Step 2:
Critical Points

Step 3:
Evaluate

Step 4:
Extrema!

Deepen

At this point, you are expected to demonstrate your competence in

solving an optimization problem by showing your step-by-step and detailed
solution. You are expected to write your solutions on a sheet of paper and create a
box out of a 14 in by 10 in cardboard. The following scoring rubric will be used in
assessing your performance.

Problem: We have a piece of cardboard that is 14 inches by 10 inches. We will

cut out the corners and fold up the sides to form a box. Determine
the height of the box that will give a maximum volume.