MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM

FUNCTION VALUES
RELATIVE MAXIMUM VALUE
Definition:
The function 𝑓 has a RELATIVE
MAXIMUM VALUE at the number 𝑐
if there exist an open interval
containing 𝑐, on which 𝑓 is defined,
such that 𝑓 𝑐 ≥ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in
this interval.
RELATIVE MINIMUM VALUE
Definition:
The function 𝑓 has a RELATIVE
MINIMUM VALUE at the number 𝑐
if there exist an open interval
containing 𝑐, on which 𝑓 is defined,
such that 𝑓 𝑐 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥) for all 𝑥 in
this interval.
THEOREM
If 𝑓(𝑥) exists for all values of 𝑥 in
the open interval (𝑎, 𝑏), and if
𝑓 has a RELATIVE EXTREMUM at 𝑐,
where 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏 , and if 𝑓′(𝑐)
′
exist, then 𝑓 𝑐 = 0.
ILLUSTRATION
Let 𝑓 be the function defined by
2
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 4𝑥 + 5
𝑓′ 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 4
𝑓′ 2 = 0
𝑓 2 =1
ILLUSTRATION
Consider the function 𝑓 defined by
3
𝑓 𝑥 = (𝑥 − 1) +2
′ 𝑥 2
𝑓 =3 𝑥−1
𝑓′ 1 = 0
𝑓 1 =2
 CRITICAL NUMBER
Definition:
If 𝑐 is a number in the domain of
the function 𝑓, and if either
𝑓′ 𝑐 = 0 or 𝑓′ 𝑐 does not exist,
then 𝑐 is a CRITICAL NUMBER of 𝑓.
EXAMPLE
Given
4 3 2
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 + 4𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 12𝑥
Find the critical
numbers of 𝑓.
EXAMPLE
Given
4/3 1/3
𝑓 𝑥 =𝑥 + 4𝑥
Find the critical numbers of 𝑓.
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM VALUE
ON AN INTERVAL
Definition:
The function 𝑓 has an ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM
VALUE ON AN INTERVAL if there is some
number 𝑐 in the interval such that 𝑓 𝑐 ≥ 𝑓(𝑥)
for all 𝑥 in the interval. The number 𝑓 𝑐 is then
the absolute maximum value of 𝑓 on the
interval.
ABSOLUTE MINIMUM VALUE
ON AN INTERVAL
Definition:
The function 𝑓 has an ABSOLUTE MINIMUM
VALUE ON AN INTERVAL if there is some
number 𝑐 in the interval such that 𝑓 𝑐 ≤ 𝑓(𝑥)
for all 𝑥 in the interval. The number 𝑓 𝑐 is then
the absolute minimum value of 𝑓 on the
interval.
ILLUSTRATION
Let 𝑓 be the
function defined by
𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥
ILLUSTRATION
Let 𝑓 be the
function defined by
2
𝑓 𝑥 = −𝑥
ILLUSTRATION
Let 𝑓 be the function
defined by
𝑥 + 1, 𝑥<1
𝑓 𝑥 =ቊ 2
𝑥 − 6𝑥 + 7, 1≤𝑥
THE EXTREME-VALUE THEOREM
If function 𝑓 is continuous on
the closed interval [𝑎, 𝑏], then
𝑓 has an absolute maximum
value and an absolute minimum
value on [𝑎, 𝑏].
EXAMPLE
Find the absolute
extrema of 𝑓 on [-2,3] if
3
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 − 6𝑥 − 1
APPLICATIONS INVOLVING
ABSOLUTE EXTREMUM
ON A CLOSE INTERVAL
 MAXIMA AND MINIMA
STEPS IN SOLVING MAXIMA-MINIMA PROBLEM:
1. Identify the variable to be maximized or minimized.
2. Express this variable in terms of the other relevant variable(s).
3. If the function shall consist of more than one variable, express it
in terms of one variable (if possible) using other conditions in the
problem.
4. Differentiate and equate to zero.
EXAMPLE
The sum of the two numbers is
20. Determine the numbers if the
product of the first number and
the square of the second number
is to be maximized.
EXAMPLE
A food manufacturer packages his
x
product in 1-liter cans that are right
circular cylinders. If the material for
y the top cost five times as much per

square centimeter as that used for the

bottom and side, find the dimension
of the can if the cost of the material is
to be minimum.
EXAMPLE
A cardboard box manufacturer wishes
to make open boxes from rectangular
pieces of cardboard with dimensions
10 in. by 17 in. by cutting equal squares
from the four corners and turning up
the sides. Find the length of the side of
the cut-out square so that the box has
the largest possible volume.