Section 3.

6: Critical Points and

Extrema
Objectives:
 I can find the extrema (maximums and

minimums) of a function.
 Definitions
 Definition – Critical Point:
• Where the function changes directions
• (where a line tangent to the curve is either
horizontal or vertical)
 Definition – Absolute Max/Min:
• The largest/smallest value on the entire graph
(over the entire domain)

 Definition – Relative Max/Min:

• The largest/smallest value on a given interval
(not necessarily over the entire domain)
 Example 1:
 Locate the extrema for the graph for g(x).
Name and classify the extrema.
Absolute Maximum: None (arrows!)

Absolute Minimum: None (arrows!)

Relative Maximum (maxima): (-3, 13)

Relative Minimum (minima): (2, -10)

 Example 2 (You Try It!):
 Locate the extrema for the graph for h(x).
Name and classify the extrema.

Relative Maximum: (-8, 5)

Relative Minimum: (7.5, -2.3 ish)

Relative Maximum (maxima): (0, 3)

Relative Minimum (minima): (-2.5ish, 2ish)

 Example Abs
3( add
Max:inc/dec):
none

 Use a calculator toAbs Min:

graph f ( xnone
)  5 x  10 x  20 x  7
3 2

to determine and classify its extrema. Sketch a

Rel Max: (-2/3, 14.17)
graph of the situation.

Rel Min: (2, -33)

Inc: {x < -2/3}

Dec: {-2/3 < x < 2}
Inc: {x > 2}
 Example 4:
 The function h( x )  3 x 4  4 x 3
has critical points at
x = 0 and x = 1. Classify each critical point
and determine on which intervals it is
increasing and decreasing. Sketch a graph of
the situation.
 Warmup
 Grab a “Foldable” packet (4 pages)
 Cut off bottom (shaded) portion from each
 Staple together on top left and right corners
 Start warmup below

 Warmup
Locate and classify the extrema of f(x) = 3x4 – 6x + 7
and write the intervals in which the function is
increasing/decreasing.
 Finding a(n)… It means… Example…

Absolute Maximum
Highest point on
entire domain

Absolute Minimum Lowest point on

entire domain

Relative Maximum (Maxima)

Highest point in
Local area

Relative Minimum (Minima) Lowest point in

Local area

_Finding Maximums and Minimums

 Section 3.5: Continuity and End
Behavior
Objectives:
 Determine whether a function is continuous or

discontinuous.
 Identify the end behavior of functions.

 Determine whether a function is increasing or

decreasing on an interval.
 Example 1(skip for now):
 Determine whether the function f(x) = 3x2 + 7
is continuous at x = 1.
 Does the function exist at the point?
yup
f(1) = 3(1)2 + 7 = 10
 Does the function have any domain restrictions
that might cause issues?nope
 Does the function approach ‘10’ from both
sides? Yuppers.
yuppers
 Example 2 and 3 (slip for now):
 Determine whether the function 3x 2  3x
f ( x) 
x 1
is continuous at x = 1.

Nope, domain restriction

 Determine whether the function x2  4 is
f ( x) 
continuous at x = -2. x2

Darn it….this one too…..

(even though your calc might trick you)
 Example 4:
 Find the intervals for which f(x) = 4x2 + 9 is
increasing and/or decreasing, also determine
its end behavior. Sketch a graph to illustrate.
Dec: x < 0
Inc: x > 0
Chillin’ when x = 0

End behavior:
lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  
x   x  
 Example 5:
 Find the intervals for which f ( x)  3 x 3  x 2  x  1
is increasing and/or decreasing, also determine
its end behavior. Sketch a graph to illustrate.
Inc: x < -.46 Dec: -.46 < x < .24 Inc: x > .24

End behavior:
lim f ( x)  
x  
lim f ( x)  
x 
 Example 6:
 Find the intervals for which f ( x)  5x3  6x  3
is increasing and/or decreasing, also determine
its end behavior. Sketch a graph to illustrate.
Dec: on the entire graph
{x: all real numbers}

End behavior:
lim f ( x)  
x  

lim f ( x)  
x 
 Section 3.7: Graphs of Rational
Functions (Day 1)
Objectives:
 Graph rational functions.

 Determine vertical, horizontal, and oblique

asymptotes.
 Example 1(from 3.6):
 Determine whether the function f(x) = 3x2 + 7
is continuous at x = 1.
 Does the function exist at the point?
yup
f(1) = 3(1)2 + 7 = 10
 Does the function have any domain restrictions
that might cause issues?nope
 Does the function approach ‘10’ from both
sides? Yuppers.
yuppers
 Example 2 and Example 3(from 3.6):
 Determine whether the function 3x 2  3x
f ( x) 
x 1
is continuous at x = 1.

Nope, domain restriction

 Determine whether the function x2  4 is
f ( x) 
continuous at x = -2. x2

Darn it….this one too…..

(even though your calc might trick you)
Definition – Vertical Asymptote:
An asymptote in the vertical direction

 Essential (Infinite) Discontinuity

A vertical asymptote ;)
- Found from the denominators
domain restrictions
 Example 1:
1
 Using x4
answer the following:
 What is the vertical asymptote?
{x : x  4} V.A. : x = 4

 What is the limit of the function near the

asymptote?
lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  
x4 x4

“from the left” “from the right”

 Example 2:
3
 Using answer the following:
x5
 What is the vertical asymptote?
{x : x  0} V.A. : x = 0

 What is the limit of the function near the

asymptote?
lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  
x 0  x 0 

“from the left” “from the right”

 Example 3:
 Discuss the discontinuities and end behavior
for the following graphs:
Hole (removable) at (4, 6)
Vertical asymptote x = 0End behav: as x goes to –infinity? + infinity?
Horiz. Asymptote y = 0
End behav: as x goes to –infinity? + infinity?

Vertical asymptotes x = 2 and -2

No discontinuities for this one.
Horiz. Asymptote y = 0
End behav: as x goes to –infinity? + infinity?
End behav: as x goes to –infinity? + inf
 Definitions
 Definition – Horizontal Asymptote:
Comes from the end behavior (Limit!!!!)

 Definition – Removable Discontinuity:

Just a hole in the graph  (factor to find)

 Definition – Oblique Asymptot:

When the asymptote is a diagonal line…stay tuned for this…
 Revisit Example 3(from 3.6):
x2  4
 Determine whether the function f ( x)  is
x2
continuous at x = -2.
 Horizontal Asymptotes
Option 1: Same over Same
3x  5
2x  6
3x 4  5 x 2  3
9 x 4  3x  4 #

Option 2: Bigger over Smaller
x2 2x4
1000 x  1,000,000 x2

Option 3: Smaller over Bigger

 2x
x2
x3 x12  4 x  5
0
 Warm-up: Match up the
Function, its graph, and the type
of discontinuity
Foldable
 Exponents How to find Limits…
Same Power on top and bottom
3x 2 x 2  43 x 2
3
(Horizontal Asymptote)
x 5x 2  6 x  2

5 #
Lower power on top
3x 2 #
(Horizontal Asymptote)
2 x 2  2 x3

x
0
0

Higher power on top
3x 2 x
(Oblique Asymptote)  
2x #

End Behavior (Horz Asym)

 Type Equation Graph
( x  2)( x  3)
Removable (Hole/Point) ( x  3)
something cancels out
4
Essential/Infinite ( x  3)
(Vertical Asymptote)
nothing cancels out
 sadf ' ; lkasdf ; lk
blahblah

Jump f ( x)  
# gowo

 fjkld; la
(Piecewise!)

Types of Discontinuities
 Example 4:
 Determine the asymptotes and limits for
3x  1 Vertical asymptote x = 2
x2
Horiz. Asymptote y = 3

End behavior: lim f ( x)  

x2
lim f ( x)  3
x  
lim f ( x)  
lim f ( x)  3 x2
x 
 Example 5:
x5
 Determine the asymptotes for x2  6x  5
Vertical asymptotes x = -5 and x = -1
(x+5)(x+1)

Horiz. Asymptote y = 0

End behavior: lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  

lim f ( x)  0 x  5 x  1
x  
lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  
lim f ( x)  0 x  5 x  1
x 
 Example 6:
x 2  14 x  12
 Determine the asymptotes for
3x  6
Vertical asymptotes x = -2

Horiz. Asymptote none

End behavior: lim f ( x)  

lim f ( x)  0 x  2
x  
lim f ( x)  
lim f ( x)   x  2
x 
 x2

x2 x  5x  6
2

Watch-me!!!!
x  5x  6
2
 What now…
1. FINISH QUIZ CORRECTIVES
2. PICK UP Horizontal Asym Worksheet.
3. Do 3.7 *Day 1 HW
Warm-Up Grab the matching
sheet and fill out.
 x  2, x  2
x2 ( x  2)
x  2
lim f ( x)  0
( x  2)( x  2)
Horizontal asym = 0 x  

lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  
x  2  x  2 

none Youplug
x-int: get an
in yerror…therefore…
=0
1
Y-int: plug in x = 0 (0, )
2
1. Factor
2. Domain Restr.
3. Asym? Hole?
4. Hor. Asym
5. Intercepts
6. Shifted/Graph
7. Limits 
 x4
x4 ( x  4)( x  2)
Horizontal asym.
none
lim f ( x)  
x4
x 
(there is none for this problem)
lim f ( x)  6 lim f ( x)  6
x4 x4

x-int: plug in y = 0
(2,0)
Y-int: plug in x = 0
(0,2)
 x  0, x  10
none
10
x  0, x  10 x( x  10)
Horizontal asym. lim f ( x)  0
x  

lim f ( x)  6 lim f ( x)  6
x 0  x 0 
x-int: plug inlim
y = f0( x)  6 lim f ( x)  6
none : error x  10  x  10 
Y-int: plug in x = 0
none : error
 Warm Up
Compare the graphs below. Include discussions of Critical points, extrema,
increasing and decreasing intervals, holes, asymptotes, etc.
Also, write ALL the limits of the functions! ALL.
 Warm Up
Compare the graphs below. Include discussions
of Critical points, extrema, increasing and
decreasing intervals, holes, asymptotes, etc.
Continuous Removable (Hole) 2 Essentials (V.A.’s)
This This
equation
equation
mustmust
have have
a domain
a domain
restriction
restriction
that DOESN’T
that cancelscancel
out…out…
 Warm Up
lim f ( x)   1 graphs
lim f (below. lim f ( x)  
x)  Include lim f ( x) points,
 lim f ( x)  
Compare
X   the X 3 X  3 discussions of
X  3Critical
 extrema,
X  3 

increasing and decreasing intervals, holes, asymptotes, etc.

lim x) ALL
Also,f (write  thelimlimitsf of ) functions!
( xthe  limALL. f ( x)  5 lim f ( x)  5
X  X   X 4 X 4

lim f ( x)   lim f ( x)  
X   X 
 Section 3.8: Direct, Inverse, and
Joint Variation
Objectives:
 Solve problems involving direct, inverse, and

joint variation.
 Definitions
 Definition – Direct Variation:
When two variables are related to one another through the
Multiplication of a constant (a number).
ex : y  3 x 1
ex : y  t ex : y 
q
4 4
 Definition – Constant of Variation:
The constant (number) from above.

(most of the time you will have to find it…)

 Example 1:
Suppose y varies directly as x and y = 45 when
x = 2.5
 Find the constant of variation and write an
45  c(2.5) c  18
equation.
y  cx y  18 x
 Use the equation to find the value of y when x = 4.
y  18(4)  72
 Example 2:
When an object such as a car is accelerating, twice the distance (d) it travels varies
directly with the square of the time (t). One car accelerating for 4 minutes travels 1440
feet.
 Write an equation of direct variation relating travel distance to time elapsed.
Then sketch a graph of the equation.
 Use the equation to find the distance traveled by the car in 8 minutes.

2d  ct 2 2(1440)  c(4) 2 c  180 2d  180t 2

d  90t 2

d  90(8) 2 d  5760
 Example 3:
 If y varies directly as the square of x and
y = 30, when x = 4, find x when y = 270.
30  c(4) 2 15 15 2
y  cx 2
c y x
8 8

15 2 x  12
270  x
8
 Definitions
 Definition – Inverse Proportion:
When two variables are related to one another through division.
There is still a constant of variation

c Notice: the x is on the bottom!

y
x
 Example 4:
 If y varies inversely as x and y = 14, when
x = 3, find x when y = 30.
c c
y 14  c  42
x 3

42
y
x
  Definition – Joint Variation:

When more than two variables are related to one another through
Multiplication….There is still a constant of variation

y  cxz
 Example 5:
 In physics, the work (W) done in charging a capacitor varies jointly as the charge
(q) and the voltage (V). Find the equation of joint variation if a capacitor with a
charge of 0.004 coulomb and a voltage of 100 volts performs 0.20 joule of work.

1
W  cqV .2  c(.004)(100) W qV
2