MATHS

NAME : AZHAGAN
GRADE : XII
TOPIC: ABSOLUTE MAXIMA &
ABSOLUTE MINIMA

Signature of Signature
of
Subject Principal
Teacher
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TABLE OF CONTENT

S.n Pg.n
o Content o
1. Maxima and Minima 3
absolute Maxima and absolute
2. Minima 5
3. Absolute Extrema 7
4. Extreme value theorem 11
5. Extrema value theorem 12
6. Examples 13
7. Conclusion 24
8. Reference 25
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Maxima and Minima:

Maxima and minima are known as the extrema of a

function. Maxima and minima are the maximum or the

minimum value of a function within the given set of

ranges. For the function, under the entire range, the

maximum value of the function is known as the absolute

maxima and the minimum value is known as the absolute

minima.

There are other maxima and minima of a function, which

are not the absolute maxima and minima of the function

and are known as local maxima and local minima. Let us

learn more about local maxima and minima, absolute

maxima and minima, and how to find the maxima and

minima of the function.

What are Maxima and Minima of a Function?

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Maxima and minima are the peaks and valleys in the curve

of a function. There can be any number of maxima and

minima for a function. In calculus, we can find the maximum

and minimum value of any function without even looking

at the graph of the function. Maxima

will be the highest point on the curve within the given

range and minima would be the lowest point on the curve.

The combination of maxima and minima is extrema. In the

image given below, we can see various peaks and valleys

in the graph. At x = a and at x = 0, we get maximum

values of the function, and at x = b

and x = c, we get minimum values of the function. All the

peaks are the maxima and the valleys are the minima.
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There are two types of maxima and minima that exist in a

function, which are:

• Local Maxima and Minima

• Absolute or Global Maxima and Minima Let

us learn about them in detail.

Absolute Minima and Maxima :

Absolute Maxima and Minima are the maximum and

minimum values of the function defined on a fixed interval.
A function in general can have high values or low values as
we move along the function. The maximum value of the
function in any interval is called the maxima and the
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minimum value of the function is called the minima. These

maxima and minima if defined on the whole functions are
called the Absolute Maxima and Absolute Minima of the
function.
In this article, we will learn about Absolute Maxima and
Mimima, How to calculate absolute maxima and minima,
their examples, and others in detail.

What are Absolute Maxima and Minima?

Absolute maxima and minima are the maximum and

minimum values of the function on the entire given range.
Absolute Maxima and Minima are also called the global
maxima and minima of the function it is the maximum and
the minimum value that the function can achieve in its
entire domain. Suppose we are given a function f(x) = sin
x, defined on the interval R then we know that, -1 ≤ sin x ≤
1
Thus,
Maximum value of f(x) is 1
Minimum value of f(x) is -1
Thus, absolute maxima and minima of f(x) = sin x defined
over R is 1
and -1.
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Critical Points and Extrema Value Theorem

Let’s say we have a function f(x), critical points are the
points where the derivative of the function becomes zero.
These points can either be maxima or minima. A critical
point is minima or maxima is determined by the second
derivative test. Since there can be more than one point
where the derivative of the function is zero, more than
minima or maxima is possible. The figure below shows a
function that has multiple critical points.
Notice that points A, C are minimas, and points B, D are
maximas. B and C are called local maxima and local
minima respectively. This means that these points are
maximum and minimum in their locality but not
necessarily on a global level. Points A and D are called
global minima and global maxima.
Let’s say we have a function f(x) which is twice
differentiable. Its critical points are given by the f'(x) = 0.
Second Derivative Test allows us to check whether the
calculated critical point is minima or maxima.
If f”(x) > 0, then the point x is a maxima.
If f”(x) < 0, then the point x is a minima.
Now, this test tells us which point is a minimum or a
maximum, but it still fails to give us information about the
global maxima and global minima. Extrema value Theorem
comes to our rescue.
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Absolute Extrema:
Consider the function f(x)=x2+1𝑓(𝑥)=𝑥2+1 over the

x→±∞𝑥→±∞, f(x)→∞𝑓(𝑥)→∞.
interval
(−∞,∞)(−∞,∞). As

However, since x2+1≥1𝑥2+1≥1 for all real numbers x𝑥

Therefore, the function does not have a largest value.

and x2+1=1𝑥2+1=1 when x=0𝑥=0, the function has a

smallest value, 1, when x=0𝑥=0. We say that 1 is the
absolute minimum of f(x)=x2+1𝑓(𝑥)=𝑥2+1 and it
occurs at x=0𝑥=0. We say that f(x)=x2+1𝑓(𝑥)=𝑥2+1
does not have an absolute maximum (see the following
figure).
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Before proceeding, let’s note two important issues

regarding this definition. First, the term absolute here does

positive, negative, or zero. Second, if a function f 𝑓 has an

not refer to absolute value. An absolute extremum may be

absolute extremum over an interval I𝐼 at c𝑐, the absolute

extremum is f(c)(𝑐). The real number c𝑐 is a point in the
domain at which the absolute extremum occurs. For

f(x)=1/(x2+1)𝑓(𝑥)=1/(𝑥2+1) over the interval (−∞,∞)

example, consider the function

(−∞,∞). Since

(0)=1≥1x2+1=f(x)𝑓(0)=1≥1𝑥2+1=𝑓(𝑥) for all real

numbers x𝑥, we say f𝑓 has an absolute maximum over
(−∞,∞)(−∞,∞) at x=0𝑥=0. The absolute maximum is
f(0)=1𝑓(0)=1. It occurs at x=0𝑥=0, as shown in (b).

A function may have both an absolute maximum and an

absolute minimum, just one extremum, or neither. shows
several functions and some of the different possibilities
regarding absolute extrema. However, the following

that a continuous function f𝑓 over a closed, bounded

theorem, called the Extreme Value Theorem, guarantees

interval [a,b][𝑎,𝑏] has both an absolute maximum and an

absolute minimum.
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EXTREME VALUE THEOREM:

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If f𝑓 is a continuous function over the closed, bounded

interval [a,b][𝑎,𝑏], then there is a point in [a,b][𝑎,𝑏] at which f𝑓
has an absolute
maximum over [a,b][𝑎,𝑏] and there is a point in [a,b][𝑎,𝑏] at
which f𝑓
has an absolute minimum over [a,b][𝑎,𝑏].

The proof of the extreme value theorem is beyond the

scope of this text. Typically, it is proved in a course on real
analysis. There are a couple of key points to note about the
statement of this theorem. For the extreme value theorem

bounded interval. If the interval I𝐼 is open or the function

to apply, the function must be continuous over a closed,

have an absolute maximum or absolute minimum over I 𝐼.

has even one point of discontinuity, the function may not

For example, consider the functions shown in (Figure)(d),

(e), and (f). All three of these functions are defined over
bounded intervals. However, the function in graph (e) is
the only one that has both an absolute maximum and an
absolute minimum over its domain. The extreme value
theorem cannot be applied to the functions in graphs (d)
and (f) because neither of these functions is continuous

graph (d) is defined over the closed interval [0,4] [0,4], the
over a closed, bounded interval. Although the function in

function is discontinuous at x=2𝑥=2. The function has an

absolute maximum over [0,4][0,4] but does not have an
absolute minimum. The function in graph (f) is continuous
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over the half-open interval [0,2)[0,2), but is not defined at

x=2𝑥=2, and therefore is not continuous over a closed,

over [0,2)[0,2), but does not have an absolute maximum

bounded interval. The function has an absolute minimum

over [0,2)[0,2). These two graphs illustrate why a function

over a bounded interval may fail to have an absolute
maximum and/or absolute minimum.
Before looking at how to find absolute extrema, let’s
examine the related concept of local extrema. This idea is
useful in determining where absolute extrema occur.

Extrema Value Theorem :

Extrema value theorem guarantees both the maxima and

minima for a function under certain conditions. This
theorem does not tell us where the extreme points will
exist, this theorem tells us only that extreme value will
exist. The theorem states that,
If a function f(x) is continuous on a closed interval [a, b],
then f(x) has both at least one maximum and minimum
value on [a, b].
Absolute Minima and Maxima in Closed Interval
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Now to find the extreme points in any interval, we need to

follow some basic steps. Let’s say we have a function f(x)
and a region D. We want to find the extreme value of the
function in this interval.
How to Find Absolute Maxima and Minima in Closed
Interval?Step 1: Find the critical points of the
function in the interval D,
f'(x) = 0
Step 2: Find the value of the function at the extreme points
of interval D.
Step 3: The largest value and smallest value found in the
above two steps are the absolute maximum and absolute
minimum of the function.
Absolute Minima and Maxima in Entire Domain
Absolute minimum and maximum values of the function in
the entire domain are the highest and lowest value of the
function wherever it is defined. A function can have both
maximum and minimum values, either one of them or
neither of them. For example, a straight line extends up to
infinity in both directions so it neither has a maximum
value nor minimum value.
How to Find Absolute Maxima and Minima in Entire
Domian?
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We need to follow some steps similar to the previous case

to find out the absolute maxima and minima for the entire
domain.
Step 1: Find the critical points of the function wherever it is
defined.
Step 2: Find the value of the function at these extreme
points.
Step 3: Check for the value of the function when x tends to
infinity and negative infinity. Also, check for the points of
discontinuity.
Step 4: Maximum and minimum of all these values give us
the absolute maximum and absolute minimum for the
function in its entire domain.
Example 1: Find the absolute maximum and absolute
minimum values of the function f(x) = 5x + 2 in the
interval [0,2].

Solution:
Given
function,f(x) =
5x + 2
First step is to find the critical points by differentiating
the function f(x), f'(x) = 5
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This equation has no roots, therefore there are no critical

points which means no maxima or minima. This function is
continuously increasing. Thus, the maxima and minima will
occur at the end points of the interval.
f(0) = 2
f(2) =
12
Thus, f(0) = 2 is the minimum and f(2) = 12 is the
maximum value of the function.
Example 2: Find the absolute maximum and absolute
minimum values of the function f(x) = x2 – 2x + 5 in
the interval [0,2].

Solution:
Given
function,f(x) =
x2 – 2x + 5
First step is to find the critical points by differentiating
the function f(x), f'(x) = 2x – 2f'(x) = 0

⇒ 2x – 2 = 0
⇒x=1
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Thus, x = 1 is the critical point of the

functionf(1) = (1)2 – 2(1) + 5⇒f(1) =
1 – 2 + 5 f(1) = 4
Checking the End Points of the
Interval, f(0) = 5f(2) = 5
Out of all these values,
Minimum value is at x = 1, f(1) = 4
Maximum value is at x = 0 and 2, f(0) = f(2) = 5
Thus, absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of
the function are 5 at x = 0 and 2, and 4 at x= 1
respectively.
Example 3: Find the absolute maximum and absolute
minimum values of the function f(x) = x3 – 2x2+ 5 in
the interval [-2,2].

Solution:Give
n
function,f(x)
= x3 – 2x2+
5
First step is to find the critical points by differentiating the
function f(x),
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f'(x) = 3x2 –
4xf'(x) =
x(3x – 4)⇒
x(3x – 4) = 0
⇒ x = 0 and 4/3
Thus, x = 0 and 4/3 are Critical Points of the function.
f(0) = 5
⇒f(4/3) = (4/3)3 – 2(4/3)2 + 5
⇒f(4/3) = 64/27 – 32/9 + 5
⇒f(4/3) = (64 – 96)/27 + 5 = -32/27 + 5/1
⇒f(4/3) = (-32 + 135)/27 =
103/27Checking End points of the
Interval, f(-2) = (-2)3 – 2(-2)2+ 5
⇒ f(-2) = -8 -2(4) + 5
⇒f(-2) = -16 +
5⇒f(-2) = -11
f(2) = (2)3 –
2(2)2+ 5
⇒ f(2) = 5
Out of all these values,
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Minimum value is at x = -2, f(-2) = 11

Maximum value is at x = 0 and 2, f(0) = f(2) = 5
Thus, absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of
the function are 5 and 4 respectively.
Example 4: Find the absolute maximum and absolute
minimum values of the function f(x) = 1/(x + 4) in
the interval [0,1].

Solution:Giv
en,
f(x) = 1/(x + 4)
First step is to find the critical points by differentiating the
function f(x),
f'(x) = -1/(x + 4)2
This equation will not be zero for any value of x in the
interval. So, it is monotonically increasing or decreasing in
the interval. Checking at the boundary points.
f(0) =
1/4f(1) =
1/5
Out of all these values,
Maximum Value is at x = 0, f(0) = 1/4
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Minimum Value is at x = 1, f(1) = 1/5

Thus, absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of
the function are 1/4 and 1/5 respectively.
Example 5: Find the absolute maximum and absolute
minimum values of the function f(x) = 2ex – 2 in the
interval [0,1].

Solution:
Given
function,f(x) =
2ex – 2
First step is to find the critical points by differentiating
the function f(x), f'(x) = 2ex
This equation will not be zero for any value of x in the
interval. So, it is monotonically increasing or decreasing in
the interval. Checking at the boundary points.
f(1) = 2e1 –
2⇒f(1) = 2e –
2f(0) = 2(1) –
2
⇒f(0) = 0
Out of all these values,
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Maximum Value is at x = 1, f(1) = 2e – 2

Minimum Value is at x = 0, f(0) = 0
Thus, absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of
the function are 2e – 2 and 0 respectively.
Example 6: Find the absolute maximum and absolute
minimum values of the function f(x) = x2 – x in the
interval [0,1].

Solution:Giv
en
function,f(x)
= x2 – x
First step is to find the critical points by differentiating
the function f(x), f'(x) = 2x – 2f'(x) = 0 ⇒ 2x – 1 = 0
⇒ x = 1/2
This, x = 1/2 is the critical point of the function.
f(1/2) = (1/2)2 – (1/2)
⇒f(1/2) = 1/4 – 1/2
⇒f(1/2) = -1/4
Checking the end points of the
interval, f(0) = 0 f(1) = 0
Out of all these values,
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Maximum Value is at x = 0, and 1, f(0) = f(1) = 0

Minimum Value is at x = 1/2, f(1/2) = -1/4
Thus, absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of
the function are 0 and -1/4 respectively.

Example 7: Find the absolute minimum and

maximum value of the function f(x) = 1/(x + 3).
Solution:
Since no interval is given, we need to calculate the
minimum and the maximum value of the function on its
domain which is R – {-3}. First let’s check for the critical
points.Given function,f(x) = 1/(x + 3)f'(x) = -1/(x + 3)2
There is no point in the function’s domain where f'(x) = 0
So now we need to check for the values of the function
when x tends to infinity. As,x ⇢ -∞ ⇒ f(x) ⇢ 0x ⇢∞ ⇒ f(x)
⇢ 0x ⇢ -3 ⇒ f (x) ⇢∞
Thus, there is no maximum value and the minimum value
exists when x ⇢∞ or -∞ and f(x) ⇢ 0
Example 8: Determine the extrema of the given
function: f(x) = -3×2 + 4x + 7 and the extremum
value using maxima and minima formulas
Solution: Using a second-order derivative test to determine
a function’s maximum and minimum
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Given function
f(x)=−3x2+4x+7𝑓(𝑥)=−3𝑥2+4𝑥+7 …….(1)
Differentiate with respect to x on both sides of equation 1
⇒dydx=d(−3x2)dx+d(4x)dx+d(7)dx⇒dyd𝑥=𝑑(−3𝑥2)𝑑𝑥+
𝑑(4𝑥)𝑑𝑥+𝑑(7)𝑑𝑥
⇒dydx=−6x+4⇒𝑑𝑦𝑑𝑥=−6𝑥+4
Now put \frac{dy}{dx}
=0⇒–6x+4=0⇒–
6𝑥+4=0x=23𝑥=23
Differentiate both sides of (Equation 2) with respect to x.
⇒d2ydx2=d(−6x)dx+d(4)dx⇒𝑑2𝑦𝑑𝑥2=𝑑(−6𝑥)𝑑𝑥+𝑑(4)𝑑𝑥
⇒d2ydx2=−6⇒𝑑2𝑦𝑑𝑥2=−6
The maximum value f(x)atx=23𝑓(𝑥)𝑎𝑡𝑥=23
isf(23)=−3(23)2+4(23)+7=−43+83+7=253𝑓(23)=−3(23)
2+4(23)+7=−43+8 3+7=253
The maximum value of the function is x = 2/3 and the
maximum value is 25/3.

Example 9: Determine the absolute maxima and

minima of the function f(x)=x2–2x+5𝑓(𝑥)=𝑥2–2𝑥+5
on the interval [0,2].
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Solution: The first step is to differentiate the function f(x) to

find the critical point.
f′(x)=2x−2𝑓′(𝑥)=2𝑥−2f′
(x)=0𝑓′(𝑥)=0
⇒2x–2=0⇒2𝑥–2=0
⇒x=1⇒𝑥=1
So x = 1 is the critical point of the function.
f(1)=(1)2–2(1)+5𝑓(1)=(1)2–2(1)+5
⇒f(1)=1−2+5⇒𝑓(1)=1−2+5
⇒f(1)=4⇒𝑓(1)=4
Now check the end of the
interval,f(0) = 5f(2) = 5
From all these values we can conclude
thatx = 1 is the minimum and x = 2.0
is the largest.
Therefore, the absolute maximum and absolute minimum
of the function are 5 and 4, respectively.
Example 10: Find the absolute maxima and minima
of the function f(x)=2ex−2𝑓(𝑥)=2𝑒𝑥−2 on the
interval [0,1][0,1]</[>
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Solution: The first step is to differentiate the function

f(x) to find the critical points.f(x)=2ex𝑓(𝑥)=2𝑒𝑥
This equation is nonzero for values of x within the
interval. Therefore, it monotonically increases or
decreases within the interval. Control with boundary
points.f(1)=2e1−2𝑓(1)=2𝑒1−2⇒f(1)=2e−2⇒𝑓(1)=2𝑒−2f
(0)=2(1)−2𝑓(0)=2(1)−2
⇒f(0)=0⇒𝑓(0)=0
From all these values we can conclude thatx = 0
is the minimum value and x = 1 is the maximum
value.
Therefore, the absolute maximum and absolute minimum
of the function are 2e – 2 and 0 respectively.
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CONCLUSION:
Maxima and minima are crucial notions in the
calculus of variations, which aids in the discovery of
a function’s extreme values. You can use the first
derivative approach or the second derivative method
to get these two possible values.

There are a variety of situations in which it is

necessary to determine the maximum or minimum
value of a quantity; economics, business, and
engineering are a few examples of such applications.
Many of them can be solved using the differential
calculus methods outlined above.
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REFERENCE:
1.Stewart, James (2008). Calculus: Early Transcendentals
(6th ed.).
2.Larson, Ron; Edwards, Bruce H. (2009). Calculus (9th
ed.).
3.Thomas, George B.; Weir, Maurice D.; Hass, Joel (2010).
Thomas' Calculus: Early Transcendentals (12th ed.).
Addison-Wesley
4.Weisstein, Eric W. "Minimum". mathworld.wolfram.com.
Retrieved 2020-08-30.
5.Weisstein, Eric W. "Maximum".
mathworld.wolfram.com. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
6.Garrett, Paul. "Minimization and maximization
refresher".
7."The Unnormalized Sinc Function Archived 2017-02-15
at the Wayback Machine", University of Sydney
8.For clarity, we refer to the input (x) as points and the
output (y) as values; compare critical point and critical
value