Determination of Extrema

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Examples

Example 1

Find the extrema of the function f(x)=x33x2+2f(x) = x^3 - 3x^2 + 2.

Reference Answer(5 个标签)
extremaderivative methodstationary pointsmaximumminimum

Solution Approach: Use the derivative method to find extrema, combined with graphical method for verification.

Detailed Steps:

  1. Find the derivative: f(x)=3x26x=3x(x2)f'(x) = 3x^2 - 6x = 3x(x - 2)

  2. Find stationary points: Set f(x)=0f'(x) = 0, get x=0x = 0 or x=2x = 2

  3. Determine extrema type:

    • When x<0x < 0, f(x)>0f'(x) > 0 (function increasing)
    • When 0<x<20 < x < 2, f(x)<0f'(x) < 0 (function decreasing)
    • When x>2x > 2, f(x)>0f'(x) > 0 (function increasing)
  4. Conclusion:

    • x=0x = 0 is a maximum point
    • x=2x = 2 is a minimum point
  5. Calculate extrema values:

    • f(0)=2f(0) = 2 (maximum)
    • f(2)=812+2=2f(2) = 8 - 12 + 2 = -2 (minimum)

Answer: The function has a maximum value of 22 at x=0x = 0 and a minimum value of 2-2 at x=2x = 2.

Example 2

Find the extrema of the function f(x)=xf(x) = |x|.

Reference Answer(4 个标签)
extremanon-differentiable functionnumerical comparison methodminimum

Solution Approach: This is a non-differentiable function that requires special handling.

Detailed Steps:

  1. Analyze function properties: f(x)=xf(x) = |x| is non-differentiable at x=0x = 0 but continuous.

  2. Use numerical comparison method:

    • f(0)=0f(0) = 0
    • For any x0x \neq 0, f(x)>0f(x) > 0
  3. Conclusion: x=0x = 0 is a minimum point with minimum value 00.

  4. Verification: The function reaches its global minimum at x=0x = 0.

Answer: The function has a minimum value of 00 at x=0x = 0.

Exercises

Exercise 1

Find the extrema of the function f(x)=x44x2f(x) = x^4 - 4x^2.

Reference Answer(5 个标签)
extremaderivative methodmultiple stationary pointsmaximumminimum

Solution Approach: Use the derivative method to find extrema.

Detailed Steps:

  1. Find the derivative: f(x)=4x38x=4x(x22)f'(x) = 4x^3 - 8x = 4x(x^2 - 2)

  2. Find stationary points: Set f(x)=0f'(x) = 0, get x=0x = 0 or x=±2x = \pm\sqrt{2}

  3. Determine extrema type:

    • When x<2x < -\sqrt{2}, f(x)<0f'(x) < 0
    • When 2<x<0-\sqrt{2} < x < 0, f(x)>0f'(x) > 0
    • When 0<x<20 < x < \sqrt{2}, f(x)<0f'(x) < 0
    • When x>2x > \sqrt{2}, f(x)>0f'(x) > 0
  4. Conclusion:

    • x=2x = -\sqrt{2} is a minimum point
    • x=0x = 0 is a maximum point
    • x=2x = \sqrt{2} is a minimum point
  5. Calculate extrema values:

    • f(2)=48=4f(-\sqrt{2}) = 4 - 8 = -4 (minimum)
    • f(0)=0f(0) = 0 (maximum)
    • f(2)=48=4f(\sqrt{2}) = 4 - 8 = -4 (minimum)

Answer: The function has a maximum value of 00 at x=0x = 0 and minimum values of 4-4 at x=±2x = \pm\sqrt{2}.

Exercise 2

Find the extrema of the function f(x)=sinx+cosxf(x) = \sin x + \cos x on the interval [0,2π][0, 2\pi].

Reference Answer(5 个标签)
extrematrigonometric functionsinterval extremamaximumminimum

Solution Approach: Use the derivative method to find extrema.

Detailed Steps:

  1. Find the derivative: f(x)=cosxsinxf'(x) = \cos x - \sin x

  2. Find stationary points: Set f(x)=0f'(x) = 0, get cosx=sinx\cos x = \sin x That is tanx=1\tan x = 1, so x=π4+kπx = \frac{\pi}{4} + k\pi, kZk \in \mathbb{Z} On [0,2π][0, 2\pi], stationary points are x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4} and x=5π4x = \frac{5\pi}{4}

  3. Determine extrema type:

    • When 0<x<π40 < x < \frac{\pi}{4}, f(x)>0f'(x) > 0
    • When π4<x<5π4\frac{\pi}{4} < x < \frac{5\pi}{4}, f(x)<0f'(x) < 0
    • When 5π4<x<2π\frac{5\pi}{4} < x < 2\pi, f(x)>0f'(x) > 0
  4. Conclusion:

    • x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4} is a maximum point
    • x=5π4x = \frac{5\pi}{4} is a minimum point
  5. Calculate extrema values:

    • f(π4)=sinπ4+cosπ4=22+22=2f(\frac{\pi}{4}) = \sin\frac{\pi}{4} + \cos\frac{\pi}{4} = \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} + \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = \sqrt{2} (maximum)
    • f(5π4)=sin5π4+cos5π4=2222=2f(\frac{5\pi}{4}) = \sin\frac{5\pi}{4} + \cos\frac{5\pi}{4} = -\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = -\sqrt{2} (minimum)

Answer: The function has a maximum value of 2\sqrt{2} at x=π4x = \frac{\pi}{4} and a minimum value of 2-\sqrt{2} at x=5π4x = \frac{5\pi}{4}.