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Optimization Techniques in Calculus

The document discusses concepts related to optimization and finding absolute extrema of functions on intervals. It defines what it means for a function to have an absolute maximum or minimum value on an interval. The Extreme Value Theorem is presented, stating that if a function is continuous on a closed interval, it has an absolute maximum and minimum. Methods for finding absolute extrema on open and closed intervals are outlined, including determining critical numbers and using the Second Derivative Test to find relative extrema. Examples demonstrating these concepts are provided.

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44 views17 pages

Optimization Techniques in Calculus

The document discusses concepts related to optimization and finding absolute extrema of functions on intervals. It defines what it means for a function to have an absolute maximum or minimum value on an interval. The Extreme Value Theorem is presented, stating that if a function is continuous on a closed interval, it has an absolute maximum and minimum. Methods for finding absolute extrema on open and closed intervals are outlined, including determining critical numbers and using the Second Derivative Test to find relative extrema. Examples demonstrating these concepts are provided.

Uploaded by

Snow Drop
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Conclusions

Increasing,

x 2
x0

Point of inflection

2
Concave Down

x3

1
Decreasing,

x7

Relative Minimum

Conclusion
Decreasing

x 1

x0
Increasing, Concave up

Optimization
To optimize is to find the most favorable
solution.
Look for the solution that will yield either
the minimum or maximum quantity.

Absolute Extrema
A function f has an absolute maximum
value on an interval I if there is some
number c in I such that
for
each x in I.
A function f has an absolute minimum
value on an interval I if there is some
number c in I such that
for
each x in I.

Extreme Value Theorem


If a function f is continuous on a closed
interval then f has an absolute
maximum value and an absolute
minimum value on the interval.

Theorem
Suppose a function f is continuous on an
interval I containing the number c. If
is a relative extremum of f on I and c is
the only number in I for which f has a
relative extremum, then
is an
absolute extremum of f on I.

Absolute Extrema
for Open Intervals
Determine critical numbers of the
function.
Determine if there is a relative maximum
or relative minimum in the critical
number that is in the given interval.
If there are no other relative extrema
occurring in the interval, then the relative
extremum is the absolute extremum.

Example
Determine the absolute extrema of the
function
on
.
The only critical number in the interval is -1.

By the Second Derivative Test, f has a


relative maximum at -1.

Since this is the only relative maximum in


the interval, then 3 is the absolute
maximum value on the interval,

and this occurs when x is -1.


Note that there is no absolute minimum on
the interval.

Example
Find the dimensions of a rectangle with area
of 1000 cm2 whose perimeter is as small as
possible.

Let x be the width of the rectangle,


and y be the length of the rectangle.

Then

and

The perimeter of the rectangle is given by

Consider the function

We want to determine the absolute


minimum of the function on the interval

We only consider the critical number


We first check if we really have a minimum.

By the Second Derivative Test, we have a


relative minimum at
Since it is the only relative minimum in the
interval, then it is the absolute minimum
in the interval.

Thus, the dimensions of the rectangle with


the smallest perimeter are
cm and

Note that

cm.

The rectangle is actually a square.

Example
We need to enclose a field with a fence. We
have 500 feet of fencing material and a
building is on one side of the field and so
wont need any fencing. Determine the
dimensions of the field that will enclose the
largest area.

Example
We want to construct a box from a 10 by 14
cm cardboard by cutting a square on each
corner and folding up the flaps. Find the
dimension of the square to be cut so that
the box to be constructed will have the
maximum possible volume.

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