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Unit4 1

This document covers the concept of local extremes (minima and maxima) of a function, including how to identify critical points and apply the First and Second Derivative Tests. It defines local extremes, explains the process for finding them, and provides examples for practical application. The document serves as a guide for students to understand and analyze the behavior of functions in relation to their local extremes.

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12 views18 pages

Unit4 1

This document covers the concept of local extremes (minima and maxima) of a function, including how to identify critical points and apply the First and Second Derivative Tests. It defines local extremes, explains the process for finding them, and provides examples for practical application. The document serves as a guide for students to understand and analyze the behavior of functions in relation to their local extremes.

Uploaded by

philakubheka5
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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WTW 134 Mathematics

Unit 4.1 Local extremes of a function


Textbook, p 174 - 179

Dr. Valisoa Rakotonarivo


Objectives

1. Describe local extremes (i.e. minima and maxima) of a function.


2. Find the critical points of a function.
3. Use the First Derivative Test with a number line to find the local
extremes of a function.
4. Use the Second Derivative Test to find the local extremes of a
function.

1
Definitions

Let p be in the domain of function f .

• f has a local minimum at x = p if f (p) is less than or equal to all


the values of f “near” p.
• f has a local maximum at x = p if f (p) is greater than or equal to
all the values of f “near” p.

2
Remarks

• Local minima and local maxima are called “local extremes ”


• If we talk about values “near” p it is the values in a “small” interval
around p and the interval is getting smaller and smaller. It is a limit
process.
• A function can have a local extreme at an endpoint.
• Where do we find local extremes? We have to find the critical points
• Remember, if a function has a “corner” at a point, the function is
not differentiable at the point.

3
Example 1

In the graph below, if x → ∞ then f (x) → −∞.

Write down the x-values of the local minimum(s) and the local
maximum(s).

4
Definition

Let f be a function. The point x = p is a critical point of f if

1. p is in the domain of f and f ′ (p) = 0, or


2. p is in the domain of f and f ′ (p) does not exist, or
3. the domain of the function is a closed interval [p, b), [p, ∞),
(−∞, p], or (b, p].

5
Remarks

Note that a critical point is NOT a pair of numbers.


The functions sketched below have a critical point at x = c.

6
Remark

In sketches III and VI above the function has a critical point at x = c but
the function does not have a local extreme at x = c.
That means that we have to TEST if the function has a local extreme at
a critical point or not.

7
The first derivative test for local extremes

Let p be a critical point of a continuous function f . Moving from left to


right:

1. If f ′ changes from negative to positive at p then f has a local


minimum at x = p, that is If f changes from decreasing to increasing
at p then f has a local minimum at x = p.
2. If f ′ changes from positive to negative at p then f has a local
maximum at x = p, that is If f changes from increasing to
decreasing at p then f has a local maximum at x = p.

8
The second derivative test for local extremes

Let p be a critical point of a continuous function f with f ′ (p) = 0.

1. If f ′′ (p) > 0 then the function is concave up at x = p and f has a


local minimum at x = p.
2. If f ′′ (p) < 0 then the function is concave down at x = p and f has a
local maximum at x = p.
3. If f ′ (p) = 0 and f ′′ (p) = 0 you cannot use the test.

9
local extremes

The following functions have a local extreme at x = p.

10
Method

When you want to find the local extremes of a function, you have to

1. Write down the domain of the function.


2. Find the derivative of the function and simplify your answer.
3. Find the critical points.
4. Use one of the two test to identify the local extremes . If you use
the First Derivative Test you have to use a number line.
5. Write down your answers in the form: f has a local minimum at
x = • and the local minimum value is f (•) = . .

11
Example 2

Use the first derivative test and find the local extremes of
f (x) = −6x 4 + 80x 3 − 300x 2 + 20

12
Example 3

Use the second derivative test and find the local extremes of
f (x) = 4x 2 ln x

13
Example 4

√ 2
Find the local extremes of the functions f (x) = 2x − x, g (x) = x 5 and
√
h(x) = x 2 − 9.

14
Example 4

15
Example 4

16
Example 4

17

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