FINDING ABSOLUTE MAX AND MIN OF A FUNCTION

What is absolute maximum ?

An absolute maximum point is a point where the function obtains its greatest possible value.

What is absolute minimum ?

An absolute minimum point is a point where the function obtains its least possible value.

Working rule :

Step 1 :

Let us assume the given function as f(x). Find the first derivative, that is f'(x).

Step 2 :

Equate the first derivative to 0. That is f'(x) = 0 and solve for the variable.

Step 3 :

The values will lie in between the given interval. These values are called critical numbers. 

Apply the critical numbers and values we find in the closed interval in f(x).

  • For what value of x, we get the maximum value of y, that can be fixed as absolute maximum.
  • For what value of x, we get the minimum value of y, that can be fixed as absolute minimum.

Problem 1 :

y = x3 - 3x2 - 3; (0, 3)

Solution :

Let y = f(x) = x3 - 3x2 - 3

f'(x) = 3x2 - 6x

f'(x) = 0

3x2 - 6x = 0

3x(x - 2) = 0

3x = 0 and x - 2 = 0

x = 0 and x = 2

Put x = 0

f(0) = (0)3 - 3(0)2 - 3

f(0) = -3

Put x = 3

f(3) = (3)3 - 3(3)2 - 3

f(3) = 27 - 27 - 3

f(3) = -3

Put x = 2

f(2) = (2)3 - 3(2)2 - 3

f(2) = 8 - 12 - 3

f(2) = -7

Absolute minimum is at (2, -7) and there is no absolute maximum.

Problem 2 :

y = (5x + 25)1/3 ; [-2, 2]

Solution :

Let y = f(x) = (5x + 25)1/3

f'(x) = 1/3 (5x + 25)-2/3 ⋅ 5

f'(x) = 533(5x + 25)2f'(x) = 0 533(5x + 25)2 = 033(5x + 25)2 = 033(5x + 25)23 = 033(5x + 25)23 = 03(5x + 25)2 = 0

5x + 25 = 0

5x = -25

x = -25/5

x = -5

Put x = -2

f(-2) = ∛(5(-2) + 25)

= ∛(-10 + 25)

= ∛15

Put x = 2

f(2) = ∛(5(2) + 25)

= ∛(10 + 25)

= ∛35

Put x = -5

f(-5) = ∛(5(-5) + 25)

= ∛(-25 + 25)

= ∛0

Absolute minimum is at (-2, ∛15) and absolute maximum is at (2, ∛35).

Problem 3 :

y = x3 - 3x2 + 6; [0, ∞)

Solution :

Let y = f(x) = x3 - 3x2 + 6

f'(x) = 3x2 - 6x

f'(x) = 0

3x2 - 6x = 0

3x(x - 2) = 0

3x = 0 and x - 2 = 0

x = 0 and x = 2

Put x = 0

f(0) = (0)3 - 3(0)2 + 6

f(0) = 6

Put x = 2

f(2) = (2)3 - 3(2)2 + 6

f(2) = 8 - 12 + 6

f(2) = 2

Absolute minimum is at (2, 2) and there is no absolute maximum.

Problem 4 :

y = x4 - 2x2 - 3; (0, ∞)

Solution :

Let y = f(x) = x4 - 2x2 - 3

f'(x) = 4x3 - 4x

f'(x) = 0

4x3 - 4x = 0

4x(x2 - 1) = 0

4x = 0 and x2 - 1 = 0

x = 0 and x = 1

Put x = 1

f(1) = 14 - 2(1)2 - 3

= 1 - 2 - 3

= -4

Absolute minimum is at (1, -4) and there is no absolute maximum.

Problem 5 :

y = 4x2 + 2; (-5, -2]

Solution :

Let y =f(x) = 4x2 + 2

f(x) = 4(x2 + 2)-1

f'(x) = 4(-1) (x2 + 2)-2 (2x)

f'(x) = -8xx2 + 22

-8x = 0 and (x2 + 2)2 = 0

x = 0 and √(x2 + 2)2 = 0

x2 + 2 = 0

x2 = - 2

x = ±√-2

Put x =-5f(-5) = 4(-5)2 + 2= 425 + 2= 427Put x =-2f(-2) = 4(-2)2 + 2= 44 + 2= 46= 23Put x =2f(2) = 4(2)2 + 2= 44 + 2= 46= 23

Absolute maximum is at (-2, 2/3) and there is no absolute minimum.

Problem 6 :

y = (x + 2)2/3; [-4, -2] 

Solution :

Let y = f(x) = (x + 2)2/3

f'(x) = 2/3 (x + 2)-1/3 ⋅ 1

f'(x) = 233(x + 2)f'(x) = 0 233x + 2 = 033x + 2 = 033x + 23 = 033x + 23 = 03

x + 2 = 0

x = -2

Put x  = -4

f(-4) = ∛((-4) + 2)2

= ∛(-2)2

= ∛4 

Put x  = -2

f(-2) = ∛(-2 + 2)2

= 0

Absolute minimum is at (-2, 0) and absolute maximum is at (-4, ∛4).

Problem 7 :

y = x23x - 6; [3, 6]

Solution :

Let y = f(x) = x23x - 6f'(x) = 2x(3x - 6) - (3)x2(3x - 6)2f'(x) = 6x2 - 12x - 3x2(3x - 6)2f'(x) = 3x2 - 12x(3x - 6)2

f'(x) = 0

3x2 - 12x = 0

3x(x - 4) = 0

x - 4 = 0

x = 4

(3x - 6)2 = 0

3x - 6 = 0

3x = 6

x = 6/3

x = 2

Put x =3f(3) = 323(3) - 6= 99 - 6= 93= 3Put x =6f(6) = 623(6) - 6= 3618 - 6= 3612= 3Put x =2f(2) = 223(2) - 6= 46 - 6=0Put x =4f(2) = 423(4) - 6= 1612 - 6= 166= 83

Absolute minimum is at (4, 8/3) and absolute maximum is at (3, 3), (6, 3).

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