Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Finding Global Extrema
Problem 4.R.6
Textbook Question
Find the critical points of the following functions on the given intervals. Identify the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values (if they exist).
ƒ(x) = x³ - 6x² on [-1, 5]

1
First, find the derivative of the function ƒ(x) = x³ - 6x². The derivative, ƒ'(x), will help us identify the critical points. Use the power rule to differentiate: ƒ'(x) = 3x² - 12x.
Set the derivative ƒ'(x) = 3x² - 12x equal to zero to find the critical points. Solve the equation 3x² - 12x = 0 for x. Factor the equation: 3x(x - 4) = 0, which gives the solutions x = 0 and x = 4.
Evaluate the function ƒ(x) at the critical points and at the endpoints of the interval [-1, 5]. Calculate ƒ(-1), ƒ(0), ƒ(4), and ƒ(5) to determine the function values at these points.
Compare the values of ƒ(x) at the critical points and endpoints to identify the absolute maximum and minimum values on the interval [-1, 5]. The largest value will be the absolute maximum, and the smallest value will be the absolute minimum.
Conclude by stating the absolute maximum and minimum values, if they exist, based on the evaluations from the previous step. Ensure to check that these values fall within the given interval.

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Critical Points
Critical points of a function occur where its derivative is either zero or undefined. These points are essential for identifying local maxima and minima, as they represent potential locations where the function's behavior changes. To find critical points, one must first compute the derivative of the function and solve for the values of x that satisfy these conditions.
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Absolute Maximum and Minimum
The absolute maximum and minimum values of a function on a closed interval are the highest and lowest values that the function attains within that interval. To determine these values, one must evaluate the function at its critical points and at the endpoints of the interval. The largest and smallest of these values will indicate the absolute maximum and minimum, respectively.
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Closed Interval
A closed interval, denoted as [a, b], includes all numbers between a and b, as well as the endpoints a and b themselves. This is significant in calculus because the Extreme Value Theorem states that a continuous function on a closed interval must attain both an absolute maximum and minimum. Thus, when analyzing functions over closed intervals, one must consider the behavior of the function at both the endpoints and any critical points within the interval.
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