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Cal42 Optimization Global Maxima and Minima

The document discusses global extrema and optimization problems. It provides examples of finding the global maximum and minimum of functions. Specifically: - Global extrema are the largest or smallest values that a function can take on its domain. Optimization problems involve finding these global extrema. - To find global extrema, evaluate the function at critical points and endpoints if the domain is a closed interval. Otherwise, graph the function to find extrema. - Example 1 finds the global max (104) and min (-396) of a function on [-5,12] by evaluating at critical and endpoint values. - Example 2 graphs a function defined for x≥0, finding a global maximum of 53.50

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18 views3 pages

Cal42 Optimization Global Maxima and Minima

The document discusses global extrema and optimization problems. It provides examples of finding the global maximum and minimum of functions. Specifically: - Global extrema are the largest or smallest values that a function can take on its domain. Optimization problems involve finding these global extrema. - To find global extrema, evaluate the function at critical points and endpoints if the domain is a closed interval. Otherwise, graph the function to find extrema. - Example 1 finds the global max (104) and min (-396) of a function on [-5,12] by evaluating at critical and endpoint values. - Example 2 graphs a function defined for x≥0, finding a global maximum of 53.50

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marchelo_chelo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Arkansas Tech University

MATH 2914: Calculus I


Dr. Marcel B. Finan
26 Optimization: Global Maxima and Min-
ima
In this section we will look for the largest or the smallest values of a function
on its domain. Such points are called global extrema. If f(a) is the largest
value then it satises the inequality f(x) f(a) for all x in the domain of
f. We call f(a) the global or absolute maximum value of f and the
point (a, f(a)) the global maximum point. Similarly, if f(a) is the smallest
value of f(x) then f(a) f(x) for all x in the domain of f. We call f(a)
the absolute or global minimum value of f and the point (a, f(a)) the
global minimum.
The process of nding the global extrema is called optimization. Problems
that involve nding the global extrema are called optimization problems.
How do we nd the global extrema?
If the function is continuous on a closed interval then the global extrema
occur at either the critical points or the endpoints of the interval.
Example 26.1
Find the global extrema of the function f(x) = x
3
9x
2
48x + 52 on the
closed interval [5, 12].
Solution.
Finding the derivative of f(x) we get f

(x) = 3x
2
18x 48. Solving the
equation f

(x) = 0, that is, x


2
6x 16 = 0 we nd the critical points at
x = 8 and x = 2. Now, evaluating the function at these points and at the
endpoints we nd
f(5) = 58
f(2) = 104
f(8) = 396
f(12) = 92
It follows that (2, 104) is the global maximum point and (8, 396) is the
global minimum point.
1
If a function is continuous on an open interval or on all real numbers
then it is recommended to nd the global extrema by graphing the function.
Example 26.2
Find the global extrema of the function f(x) = 100(e
0.02x
e
0.1x
) for x 0.
Solution.
Lets sketch the graph of this function. The standard process of graphing
consists of the following steps:
Step 1. Find the critical numbers. Setting f

(x) = 0 to obtain
100(0.02e
0.02x
+ 0.1e
0.1x
) =0
0.02e
0.02x
=0.1e
0.1x
e
0.02x
e
0.1x
=
0.1
0.02
e
0.08x
=5
0.08x =ln 5
x =
ln 5
0.08
20.12
Step 2. We construct the following chart:
x 20.12
f

(x) + 0 -
f(x) 53.50
Step 3. Find the second derivative to obtain f

(x) = 100(0.0004e
0.02x

0.01e
0.1x
). Setting this to zero and solving for x as in Step 1 we nd x
40.25. Now we construct the table
x 40.25
f

(x) 0 +
f(x) f(40.25)
2
Step 4.Graph
Figure 26.1
Thus, from the graph we see that (20.12, 53.50) is a global maximum. The
function has a global minimum at x = 0.
3

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