Relative Extrema

7.1 Relative Extrema

 A function is said to be increasing when its graph rises as it goes from left to right. On the other hand, a function is decreasing when its graph falls as it goes from left to right.

7.1 Relative Extrema

Observe that the slope of the tangent line to the curve is positive when the curve is rising and negative when it is falling.
7.1 Relative Extrema

(Since f (x) represents the slope of the tangent line) If f (x) > 0 for all x in an interval, then the function is increasing in that interval. If f (x) < 0 for all x in an interval, then the function is decreasing in that interval.

7.1 Relative Extrema

Example. Consider f (x) = x2 8x + 7. Where is this function increasing and where is it decreasing? f (x) is increasing when f (x) = 2x 8 > 0. That is, when x > 4. Similarly, f (x) is decreasing if f (x) = 2x 8 < 0. Or when x < 4.
7.1 Relative Extrema

 C and D are absolute extreme points of the graph since C and D are, respectively, the highest and lowest points on the graph. C is the absolute maximum point and D is the absolute minimum point of 7.1 Relative Extrema the function.

 The point A is a relative maximum point while B is a relative minimum point of the function. These points are relatively higher or lower than all other points nearby.
7.1 Relative Extrema

 At a relative extreme point, either the derivative is 0 or it does not exist. Absolute extreme points occur either at the endpoints or at a relative 7.1 Relative Extrema extreme point.

 Points at which either f (x) = 0 or f (x) does not exist are called critical points of the function. The associated value of x is called a critical value.
7.1 Relative Extrema

Example. Find the critical values of the function f (x) = x3 6x2 + 9x + 5.

The critical values are values of x in the domain of f where f (x) = 0 or f (x) does not exist.
f (x) = 3x 2 - 12x + 9 = 0 x2 - 4x + 3 = 0 (x - 1)(x - 3) = 0 x = 1 or x = 3

The critical values are x = 1 and x = 3.

7.1 Relative Extrema

 While the condition f (x) = 0 or f (x) does not exist is a necessary condition that governs all extreme points, it is not sufficient to guarantee a maximum or a minimum point. For example, f (x) = x3 has f (x) = 0 at x = 0. But x = 0 is neither a maximum nor a minimum.

7.1 Relative Extrema

7.1 Relative Extrema

Example. Determine all relative extreme points (if any) of the function f (x) = x3 3x2 +1. Solve for f (x) and equate it to 0 to get the critical values: 2
f (x) = 3x - 6x = 0 3x(x - 2) = 0
x = 0 or x = 2

7.1 Relative Extrema

x < c.v. f (x) > 0 f (x) < 0

critical value x=0 x=2

x > c.v. f (x) < 0 f (x) > 0

Since f (x) changes sign from positive to negative at x = 0, f has a relative maximum at x = 0. And since f (x) changes sign from negative to positive at x = 2, has a relative minimum there. 7.1 Relative Extrema

 The second derivative of a function is the derivative of its first derivative. If f (x) = x3 + 2x2 5 and f (x) = 3x2 + 4x, the second derivative is f (x) = 6x + 4.

7.1 Relative Extrema

Example. f (x) = 2x3 3x2 4. Use the second derivative test to classify the critical points. Solve for f (x) and equate it to 0 to get the critical values: (x) = 6x 2 - 6x = 0 f 6x(x - 1) = 0 x = 0 or x = 1
f (x) = 12x 6 f (0) = 6 f (1) = 6

Since f (0) < 0, there is a relative maximum at x = 0. And since f (1) > 0, there is a relative minimum there.
7.1 Relative Extrema

11. Find all relative extreme points of f (x) = 15 + 6x x2.

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

f (x) = - 2 f (3) = - 2 < 0 f (3)) or at (3,24) (3,

7.1 Relative Extrema

13. Find all relative extreme points of f (x) = x3 3x 2.

f (x) = 3x 2 - 3 = 0 3x 2 = 3 x2 =1 x = 1 f (1) = 6 > 0 4) (1,f (- 1) = - 6 < 0 1,0) (7.1 Relative Extrema

f (x) = 6x

15. Find all relative extreme points of f (x) = 2x3 + 3x2 36x + 5.
f (x) = 6x 2 + 6x - 36 = 0 6(x 2 + x - 6) = 0 6(x + 3)(x - 2) = 0 x = - 3 or x = 2 f (x) = 12x + 6

f (- 3) = 12(- 3) + 6 = - 30 < 0 3,86) (f (2) = 12(2) + 6 = 30 > 0 39) (2,7.1 Relative Extrema

21. Find all relative extreme points of f (x) = x3 + 3x2 + 5.

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

f (0) = 6(0) + 6 = 6 > 0 (0,5) f (- 2) = 6(- 2) + 6 = - 6 < 0 2,9) (7.1 Relative Extrema

23. Find all relative extreme points of f (x) = x3 3x2 + 24x + 7.

f (x) = - 3x 2 - 6x + 24 = 0 f (x) = - 6x - 6

3(x 2 + 2x - 8) = 0 3(x + 4)(x - 2) = 0 x = - 4 or x = 2

f (- 4) = - 6(- 4) - 6 = 18 > 0 4,- 73) (f (2) = - 6(2) - 6 = - 18 < 0 (2,35)
7.1 Relative Extrema