MAXIMA AND MINIMA

Graph of the Function 𝐲 = 𝐟(𝐱)

The graph of a function y = f(x) may be plotted using. Differential Calculus. Consider the
graph shown below.

As x increases, the curve rises if the slope is positive, as of arc AB; it falls if the slope is
negative, as a arc BC.

RELATIVE MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM POINTS

At a point such as B, where the function is algebraically greater than that of any neighboring
point, the point is said to have a maximum value, and the point is called a maximum point
(relative to adjacent points). Similarly, at D, the function has a minimum point, the tangent is
horizontal or the slope is zero.
dy
= y′ = 0
dx
This does not necessarily mean that at these points the function is maximum or minimum. It does
only mean that the tangent is parallel to the x − axis, or the curve is either concave up or
dy
concave down. The point at which = 0 are called critical points, the corresponding values of
dx
x are critical values.

The second derivative of a function is the rate of change of the first derivative or the rate of
change of slope. It follows that as x increase and 𝑦 ′ is the positive , 𝑦 ′ is increasing and the
tangent turns in a counterclockwise direction and the curve is concave upward. When 𝑦 ′ is
negative, 𝑦 ′ decreases and the tangent turns in the clockwise direction and the curve is concave
downward.

If 𝑦 ′ = 0 and 𝑦 " is negative (i.e 𝑦 " < 0), the point is a maximum point (concave downward).
If 𝑦 ′ = 0 and 𝑦 " is positive (i.e 𝑦 " < 0), the point is a minimum point (concave upward).
Points of Inflection
A point of inflection is a point at which the curve changes from concave upward to concave
downward or vice versa (see point E from the figure). At these points the tangent changes its
rotation from clockwise or vice versa.
At points of inflection, the second derivative of y is zero (y ′′ = 0).
Example 3. Given the curve 𝑦 = 𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 − 15, determine its maximum, minimum and
inflection point.

EXERCISES

Determine its maximum, minimum, and inflection point in each of the following functions:
1. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 3 − 4𝑥 2 + 2
2. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 4 − 4𝑥 3 + 10
3. 𝑦 = −𝑥 3 − 12𝑥 2 − 45𝑥 + 10
4. 𝑦 = (𝑥 2 − 1)3
APPLICATION OF MAXIMA AND MINIMA
As an example, the area of a rectangular lot, expressed in the term of length and width, may be
also be expressed in terms cost of fencing. Thus, the area can be expressed as 𝐴 = 𝑓(𝑥). The
common task here is to find the value of x that will give the maximum value of x that will give a
maximum value of A. To find this value, we set dA /dx = 0.
EXERCISES
Solve the following problems.

1. The sum of two positive numbers is equal to a, and if the sum of their cubes is the least,
what are the numbers?
2. Find two positive numbers whose sum is 16 and the sum of whose cubes is minimum.
3. The sum of two numbers is 21.What are numbers if the product of one of the numbers by the
square of the other is to be maximum.
4. Find the dimensions of the rectangular lot that can be enclosed using 1,000 m of fencing
material and whose area is as large as possible.
5. A poster is contain 300 cm2 of printed matter with margins of 10 cm at the top and
bottom and 5 cm at each side. Find the over – all dimensions, if the total area of the
poster is a minimum.