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 Integrals3h 25m
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Finding Global Extrema
Problem 4.1.83
Textbook Question
{Use of Tech} Critical points and extreme values
a. Find the critical points of the following functions on the given interval. Use a root finder, if necessary.
b. Use a graphing utility to determine whether the critical points correspond to local maxima, local minima, or neither.
c. Find the absolute maximum and minimum values on the given interval, if they exist
h(x) (5-x)/(x² + 2x - 3) on [-10,10]

1
To find the critical points of the function \( h(x) = \frac{5-x}{x^2 + 2x - 3} \), first compute the derivative \( h'(x) \). Use the quotient rule: \( \frac{d}{dx} \left( \frac{u}{v} \right) = \frac{u'v - uv'}{v^2} \), where \( u = 5-x \) and \( v = x^2 + 2x - 3 \).
Calculate the derivatives: \( u' = -1 \) and \( v' = 2x + 2 \). Substitute these into the quotient rule to find \( h'(x) = \frac{(-1)(x^2 + 2x - 3) - (5-x)(2x + 2)}{(x^2 + 2x - 3)^2} \). Simplify the expression to find \( h'(x) \).
Set \( h'(x) = 0 \) to find the critical points. This involves solving the equation \( (-1)(x^2 + 2x - 3) - (5-x)(2x + 2) = 0 \). Use algebraic manipulation or a root finder to solve for \( x \).
Use a graphing utility to plot \( h(x) \) and visually inspect the critical points. Determine whether each critical point is a local maximum, local minimum, or neither by observing the behavior of the graph around these points.
To find the absolute maximum and minimum values on the interval \([-10, 10]\), evaluate \( h(x) \) at the critical points and at the endpoints \( x = -10 \) and \( x = 10 \). Compare these values to determine the absolute extrema.

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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 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 typically differentiates the function and solves for the values of x that satisfy the derivative equation.
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Local Extrema
Local extrema refer to the highest or lowest points in a specific interval of a function. A local maximum is a point where the function value is greater than its neighboring values, while a local minimum is where it is lower. Determining local extrema often involves analyzing critical points and using the first or second derivative tests to classify them.
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Absolute Extrema
Absolute extrema are the overall highest or lowest values of a function on a given interval. To find these values, one must evaluate the function at its critical points and also at the endpoints of the interval. The largest value among these evaluations is the absolute maximum, while the smallest is the absolute minimum, providing a complete picture of the function's behavior over the specified range.
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