03_VCSB_C03_115-160.

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Section 3.2—Maximum and Minimum on an

Interval (Extreme Values)

INVESTIGATION The purpose of this investigation is to determine how the derivative can be used to
determine the maximum (largest) value or the minimum (smallest) value of a
function on a given interval. Together, these are called the absolute extrema on
an interval.
A. For each of the following functions, determine, by completing the square, the
value of x that produces a maximum or minimum function value on the given
interval.
i. f 1x2 ⫽ ⫺x 2 ⫹ 6x ⫺ 3, 0 ⱕ x ⱕ 5
ii. f 1x2 ⫽ ⫺x 2 ⫺ 2x ⫹ 11, ⫺3 ⱕ x ⱕ 4
iii. f 1x2 ⫽ 4x 2 ⫺ 12x ⫹ 7, ⫺1 ⱕ x ⱕ 4
B. For each function in part A, determine the value of c such that f ¿1c2 ⫽ 0.
C. Compare the values obtained in parts A and B for each function. Why
does it make sense to say that the pattern you discovered is not merely a
coincidence?
D. Using a graphing calculator, graph each of the following functions and
determine all the values of x that produce a maximum or minimum value on
the given interval.
i. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 3x 2 ⫺ 8x ⫹ 10, ⫺2 ⱕ x ⱕ 4
ii. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 12x ⫹ 5, ⫺3 ⱕ x ⱕ 3
iii. f 1x2 ⫽ 3x 3 ⫺ 15x 2 ⫹ 9x ⫹ 23, 0 ⱕ x ⱕ 4
iv. f 1x2 ⫽ ⫺2x 3 ⫹ 12x ⫹ 7, ⫺2 ⱕ x ⱕ 2
v. f 1x2 ⫽ ⫺x 3 ⫺ 2x 2 ⫹ 15x ⫹ 23, ⫺4 ⱕ x ⱕ 3
E. For each function in part D, determine all the values of c such that f ¿1c2 ⫽ 0.
F. Compare the values obtained in parts D and E for each function. What do you
notice?
G. From your comparisons in parts C and F, state a method for using the
derivative of a function to determine values of the variable that give
maximum or minimum values of the function.

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H. Repeat part D for the following functions, using the given intervals.
i. f 1x2 ⫽ ⫺x 2 ⫹ 6x ⫺ 3, 4 ⱕ x ⱕ 8
ii. f 1x2 ⫽ 4x 2 ⫺ 12x ⫹ 7, 2 ⱕ x ⱕ 6
iii. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 3x 2 ⫺ 9x ⫹ 10, ⫺2 ⱕ x ⱕ 6
iv. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 12x ⫹ 5, 0 ⱕ x ⱕ 5
v. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 5x 2 ⫹ 3x ⫹ 7, ⫺2 ⱕ x ⱕ 5
I. In parts C and F, you saw that a maximum or minimum can occur at points
1c, f 1c22 , where f ¿1c2 ⫽ 0. From your observations in part H, state other values
of the variable that can produce a maximum or minimum in a given interval.

Checkpoint: Check Your Understanding

The maximum value of a function that has a derivative at all points in an interval
occurs at a “peak” 1 f ¿1c2 ⫽ 02 or at an endpoint of the interval. The minimum
value occurs at a “valley” 1 f ¿1c2 ⫽ 0 2 or at an endpoint. This is true no matter
how many peaks and valleys the graph has in the interval.

In the following three graphs, the derivative equals zero at two points:

y y y
maximum
maximum maximum

x x x
0
minimum
minimum
minimum

Algorithm for Finding Maximum or Minimum (Extreme) Values

If a function f 1x2 has a derivative at every point in the interval a ⱕ x ⱕ b,
calculate f 1x2 at
• all points in the interval a ⱕ x ⱕ b, where f ¿1x2 ⫽ 0
• the endpoints x ⫽ a and x ⫽ b
The maximum value of f 1x2 on the interval a ⱕ x ⱕ b is the largest of these
values, and the minimum value of f 1x2 on the interval is the smallest of these values.

When using the algorithm above it is important to consider the function f(x) on a
finite interval—that is, an interval that includes its endpoints. Otherwise, the function
may not attain a maximum or minimum value.

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EXAMPLE 1 Selecting a strategy to determine absolute extrema

Find the extreme values of the function f 1x2 ⫽ ⫺2x 3 ⫹ 9x 2 ⫹ 4 on the interval
x苸3⫺1, 54 .

Solution
The derivative is f ¿1x2 ⫽ ⫺6x 2 ⫹ 18x.

If we set f ¿1x2 ⫽ 0, we obtain ⫺6x 1x ⫺ 3 2 ⫽ 0, so x ⫽ 0 or x ⫽ 3.

Both values lie in the given interval, 3⫺1, 5 4.

We can then evaluate f 1x2 for these values and at the endpoints x ⫽ ⫺1 and
x ⫽ 5 to obtain

f 1⫺12 ⫽ 15
f 102 ⫽ 4
f 132 ⫽ 31
f 152 ⫽ ⫺21

Therefore, the maximum value of f 1x2 on the interval

⫺1 ⱕ x ⱕ 5 is f 13 2 ⫽ 31, and the minimum value
is f 152 ⫽ ⫺21.

Graphing the function on this interval verifies our

analysis.

EXAMPLE 2 Solving a problem involving absolute extrema

The amount of current, in amperes (A), in an electrical system is given by the
function C1t2 ⫽ ⫺t 3 ⫹ t 2 ⫹ 21t, where t is the time in seconds and 0 ⱕ t ⱕ 5.
Determine the times at which the current is at its maximum and minimum, and
determine the amount of current in the system at these times.

Solution
The derivative is dC
dt
⫽ ⫺3t 2 ⫹ 2t ⫹ 21.

If we set dC
dt
⫽ 0, we obtain

⫺3t 2 ⫹ 2t ⫹ 21 ⫽ 0 (Multiply by ⫺1)

3t 2 ⫺ 2t ⫺ 21 ⫽ 0 (Factor)

13t ⫹ 72 1t ⫺ 3 2 ⫽ 0 (Solve)

Therefore, t ⫽ ⫺73 or t ⫽ 3.

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Only t ⫽ 3 is in the given interval, so we evaluate C1t2 at t ⫽ 0, t ⫽ 3, and t ⫽ 5

as follows:

C10 2 ⫽ 0
C13 2 ⫽ ⫺33 ⫹ 32 ⫹ 2113 2 ⫽ 45
C15 2 ⫽ ⫺53 ⫹ 52 ⫹ 2115 2 ⫽ 5

The maximum is 45 A at time t ⫽ 3 s, and the

minimum is 0 A at time t ⫽ 0 s.

Graphing the function on this interval verifies our

analysis.

EXAMPLE 3 Selecting a strategy to determine the absolute minimum

The amount of light intensity on a point is given by the function
I1t2 ⫽ t ⫹t 2t , where t is the time in seconds and t苸30, 14 4. Determine the
2 ⫹ 16
⫹2
time of minimal intensity.
Solution
Note that the function is not defined for t ⫽ ⫺2. Since this value is not in the
given interval, we need not worry about it.

The derivative is
12t ⫹ 2 2 1t ⫹ 22 ⫺ 1t 2 ⫹ 2t ⫹ 16 2 112
I¿1t2 ⫽
1t ⫹ 2 2 2
(Quotient rule)

2t 2 ⫹ 6t ⫹ 4 ⫺ t 2 ⫺ 2t ⫺ 16
⫽
1t ⫹ 2 2 2
(Expand and simplify)

t 2 ⫹ 4t ⫺ 12
⫽
1t ⫹ 2 2 2

If we set I¿1t2 ⫽ 0, we only need to consider when the numerator is 0.

t 2 ⫹ 4t ⫺ 12 ⫽ 0 (Factor)
1t ⫹ 62 1t ⫺ 2 2 ⫽ 0 (Solve)

t ⫽ ⫺6 or t ⫽ 2

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Only t ⫽ 2 is in the given interval, so we evaluate I1t2 for t ⫽ 0, 2, and 14.

I10 2 ⫽ 8
4 ⫹ 4 ⫹ 16
I12 2 ⫽ ⫽6
4
142 ⫹ 21142 ⫹ 16
I114 2 ⫽ ⫽ 15
16
Note that the calculation can be simplified by rewriting the intensity
function as shown.
t 2 ⫹ 2t 16
I1t2 ⫽ ⫹
t⫹2 t⫹2
⫽ t ⫹ 161t ⫹ 22 ⫺1
Then I¿1t2 ⫽ 1 ⫺ 161t ⫹ 2 2 ⫺2
16
⫽1⫺
1t ⫹ 22 2
Setting I¿1t2 ⫽ 0 gives
16
1⫽
1t ⫹ 22 2
t 2 ⫹ 4t ⫹ 4 ⫽ 16
t 2 ⫹ 4t ⫺ 12 ⫽ 0
As before, t ⫽ ⫺6 or t ⫽ 2.
The evaluations are also simplified.
16
I102 ⫽ 0 ⫹ ⫽8
2

I12 2 ⫽ 2 ⫹
16
⫽6
4

I114 2 ⫽ 14 ⫹
16
⫽ 15
16

Either way, the minimum amount of light intensity occurs at t ⫽ 2 s on the given
time interval.

134 3.2 M A X I M U M A N D M I N I M U M O N A N I N T E R VA L ( E X T R E M E VA L U E S )
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IN SUMMARY

Key Ideas
• The maximum and minimum values of a function on an interval are also
called extreme values, or absolute extrema.
• The maximum value of a function that has a derivative at all points in an
interval occurs at a “peak” 1 f ¿1c2 ⫽ 02 or at an endpoint of the interval, [a, b],
• The minimum value occurs at a “valley” 1 f ¿1c2 ⫽ 02 or at an endpoint of
the interval, [a, b].

Need to Know
• Algorithm for Finding Extreme Values:
For a function f1x2 that has a derivative at every point in an interval [a, b], the
maximum or minimum values can be found by using the following procedure:
1. Determine f ¿1x2. Find all points in the interval a ⱕ x ⱕ b, where f ¿1x2 ⫽ 0.
2. Evaluate f1x2 at the endpoints a and b, and at points where f ¿1x2 ⫽ 0.
3. Compare all the values found in step 2.
• The largest of these values is the maximum value of f1x2 on the interval

a ⱕ x ⱕ b.
• The smallest of these values is the minimum value of f1x2 on the interval

a ⱕ x ⱕ b.

Exercise 3.2

PART A
C 1. State, with reasons, why the maximum> minimum algorithm can or cannot be
used to determine the maximum and minimum values of the following
functions:
a. y ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 5x 2 ⫹ 10, ⫺5 ⱕ x ⱕ 5
3x
b. y ⫽ , ⫺1 ⱕ x ⱕ 3
x⫺2

, x苸30, 5 4
x
c. y ⫽
x ⫺4
2

x2 ⫺ 1
d. y ⫽ , x苸3⫺2, 34
x⫹3

CHAPTER 3 135
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2. State the absolute maximum value and the absolute minimum value of each
function, if the function is defined on the interval shown.
a. y c. f(t)
12
8 100

4
x t
–6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 –30 –20 –10 0 10 20 30
–4
–8 –100

–12

b. d.
30 g(x) 30 h(x)
20 20
10 10
x x
–6 –4 –2 0 2 4 6 –2 0 2
–10 –10
–20 –20
–30 –30

K 3. Determine the absolute extrema of each function on the given interval.

Illustrate your results by sketching the graph of each function.
a. f 1x2 ⫽ x 2 ⫺ 4x ⫹ 3, 0 ⱕ x ⱕ 3
b. f 1x2 ⫽ 1x ⫺ 22 2, 0 ⱕ x ⱕ 2
c. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 3x 2, ⫺1 ⱕ x ⱕ 3
d. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ 3x 2, x苸3⫺2, 14
e. f 1x2 ⫽ 2x 3 ⫺ 3x 2 ⫺ 12x ⫹ 1, x苸3⫺2, 0 4

f. f 1x2 ⫽ x 3 ⫺ x 2 ⫹ 6x, x苸3 0, 4 4

1 5
3 2

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PART B
T 4. Using the algorithm for finding maximum or minimum values, determine the
absolute extreme values of each function on the given interval.
a. f 1x2 ⫽ x ⫹ , 1 ⱕ x ⱕ 10
4
x
b. f 1x2 ⫽ 4 Vx ⫺ x, x苸32, 9 4

c. f 1x2 ⫽
1
,0ⱕxⱕ2
x ⫺ 2x ⫹ 2
2

d. f 1x2 ⫽ 3x 4 ⫺ 4x 3 ⫺ 36x 2 ⫹ 20, x苸3⫺3, 4 4

e. f 1x2 ⫽
4x
, ⫺2 ⱕ x ⱕ 4
x ⫹1
2

f. f 1x2 ⫽ , x苸32, 4 4
4x
x ⫹1
2

5. a. An object moves in a straight line. Its velocity, in m> s, at time t is

2
v1t2 ⫽ 4t 3, t ⱖ 0. Determine the maximum and minimum velocities
4⫹t
over the time interval 1 ⱕ t ⱕ 4.
4t 2
b. Repeat part a., if v1t2 ⫽ , t ⱖ 0.
1 ⫹ t2
A 6. A swimming pool is treated periodically to control the growth of bacteria.
Suppose that t days after a treatment, the number of bacteria per cubic
centimetre is N1t2 ⫽ 30t 2 ⫺ 240t ⫹ 500. Determine the lowest number of
bacteria during the first week after the treatment.
7. The fuel efficiency, E, in litres per 100 kilometres, for a car driven at speed
v, in km> h, is E1v2 ⫽
1600v
.
v 2 ⫹ 6400
a. If the speed limit is 100 km> h, determine the legal speed that will
maximize the fuel efficiency.
b. Repeat part a., using a speed limit of 50 km> h.
c. Determine the speed intervals, within the legal speed limit of 0 km/h to
100 km/h, in which the fuel efficiency is increasing.
d. Determine the speed intervals, within the legal speed limit of 0 km/h to
100 km/h, in which the fuel efficiency is decreasing.
8. The concentration C1t2 , in milligrams per cubic centimetre, of a certain
0.1t
medicine in a patient’s bloodstream is given by C1t2 ⫽
1t ⫹ 3 2 2
, where t is
the number of hours after the medicine is taken. Determine the maximum and
minimum concentrations between the first and sixth hours after the medicine
is taken.

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9. Technicians working for the Ministry of Natural Resources found that the
amount of a pollutant in a certain river can be represented by
1
P1t2 ⫽ 2t ⫹ 1162t ⫹ 1 2 , 0 ⱕ t ⱕ 1, where t is the time, in years, since a
cleanup campaign started. At what time was the pollution at its lowest level?
10. A truck travelling at x km> h, where 30 ⱕ x ⱕ 120, uses gasoline at the rate of
r1x2 L> 100 km, where r1x2 ⫽ 14 Q4900x
⫹ xR. If fuel costs $1.15> L, what speed
will result in the lowest fuel cost for a trip of 200 km? What is the lowest
total cost for the trip?
11. The polynomial function f 1x2 ⫽ 0.001x 3 ⫺ 0.12x 2 ⫹ 3.6x ⫹ 10, 0 ⱕ x ⱕ 75,
models the shape of a roller-coaster track, where f is the vertical displacement
of the track and x is the horizontal displacement of the track. Both
displacements are in metres. Determine the absolute maximum and minimum
heights along this stretch of track.

12. a. Graph the cubic function with an absolute minimum at 1⫺2, ⫺12 2, a local
maximum at 10, 32 , a local minimum at 12, ⫺12 , and an absolute maximum
at 14, 9 2. Note: local maximum and minimum values occur at peaks and
valleys of a graph and do not have to be absolute extrema.
b. What is the domain of this function?
c. Where is the function increasing? Where is it decreasing?
13. What points on an interval must you consider to determine the absolute
maximum or minimum value on the interval? Why?

PART C
T 14. In a certain manufacturing process, when the level of production is x units, the
cost of production, in dollars, is C1x2 ⫽ 3000 ⫹ 9x ⫹ 0.05x 2, 1 ⱕ x ⱕ 300.
C1x 2
What level of production, x, will minimize the unit cost, U1x2 ⫽ x ? Keep in
mind that the production level must be an integer.
15. Repeat question 14. If the cost of production is C1x2 ⫽ 6000 ⫹ 9x ⫹ 0.05x 2,
1 ⱕ x ⱕ 300.

138 3.2 M A X I M U M A N D M I N I M U M O N A N I N T E R VA L ( E X T R E M E VA L U E S ) NEL