WELCOME TO
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Course name: Differential and Integral Calculus
Course Code: MATH 207
Md. A. Malek PK.
Sr. Lecturer in Mathematics
Basic Science Division
World University of Bangladesh
Learning objectives
1) Find the maximum value of a function.
2) Find the minimum value of a function
Maxima and Minima in Calculus
Maxima and minima in calculus are found by using the concept of derivatives. As we know the concept the
derivatives gives us the information regarding the gradient/ slope of the function, we locate the points where
the gradient is zero and these points are called turning points/stationary points. These are points associated
with the largest or smallest values (locally) of the function.
The knowledge of maxima/minima is quintessential to our day to day applied problems. Further the topics
also discusses the method of finding the absolute maximum and minimum.
Maxima and minima calculus problems with solutions are given in this topics.
Maxima and Minima Points
Figure for the curve with stationary points is shown below.
Thus it can be seen from the figure that before the slope
becomes zero it was negative after it gets zero it becomes
𝑑𝑦
positive. It can be said is negative before stationary point
𝑑𝑥
𝑑𝑦 𝑑2𝑦
is positive after stationary point. Hence it can be said
𝑑𝑥 𝑑𝑥 2
is positive at the stationary point shown below, Therefore it
can be said wherever the double derivative is positive , it is
the point of minima. Vice versa wherever the double
derivative is negative at the point of maxima on the curve.
This is also known as the second derivative test.
Maximum and Minimum Value
Maximum Value of a function: A maximum for a value 𝒄 of 𝒙 provided 𝒇(𝒄) is greater than every
other value assumed by 𝑓 𝑥 in the immediate function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be neighborhood of 𝒙 = 𝒄.
Minimum value of a function: A minimum for a value 𝒄 of 𝒙 provided 𝒇(𝒄) is less than every other
value assumed by 𝑓 𝑥 in the immediate function 𝑓(𝑥) is said to be neighborhood of 𝒙 = 𝒄.
Finding Maximum & Minimum value
Working Procedure for finding Maximum & Minimum value:
(𝒊) Let the function be 𝒇(𝒙).
(𝒊𝒊) Find 𝒇′ (𝒙) and 𝒇′′(𝒙).
(𝒊𝒊𝒊) For critical points set 𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟎
(𝒊𝒗) Find the values of 𝒙 from 𝒇′ 𝒙 = 𝟎.
(𝒗) Put the value of 𝒙 in 𝒇′′(𝒙).
(𝒗𝒊) If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 < 𝟎, then 𝒇 𝒙 has a maximum value and determine the maximum value by putting
the value of 𝒙 in 𝒇(𝒙).
(𝒗𝒊𝒊) If 𝒇′′ 𝒙 > 𝟎, then 𝒇 𝒙 has a minimum value and determine the minimum value by putting
the value of 𝒙 in 𝒇(𝒙).
Example of maximum and minimum values
Example: Find maximum and minimum values for the function 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3.
Solution: Let, 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3
∴ 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 12
∴ 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = 12𝑥 − 18
For critical points,
𝑓′ 𝑥 = 0
⇒ 6𝑥 2 − 18𝑥 + 12 = 0
⇒ 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 = 0
⇒ 𝑥 2 −2𝑥 − 𝑥 + 2 = 0
⇒𝑥 𝑥−2 −1 𝑥−2 =0
⇒ 𝑥−2 𝑥−1 =0
Example of maximum and minimum values
𝑥−2=0 𝑥−1=0
∴𝑥=2 ∴𝑥=1
∴ 𝑥 = 1,2
When 𝑥 = 1,
𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = 12𝑥 − 18
∴ 𝑓 ′′ 1 = 12.1 − 18
= −6 < 0.
Since 𝑓 ′′ 1 < 0, hence the function has maximum value for 𝑥 = 1.
∴The maximum value is, 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3
∴ 𝑓 1 = 2.13 − 9.12 + 12.1 − 3
= 2 − 9 + 12 − 3
= 14 − 12=2
Example of maximum and minimum values
Again, when 𝑥 = 2,
𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = 12𝑥 − 18
∴ 𝑓 ′′ 2 = 12.2 − 18
= 24 − 18
= 6 > 0.
Since 𝑓 ′′ 2 > 0, hence the function has minimum value for 𝑥 = 2.
∴The minimum value is, 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 − 9𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 3
∴ 𝑓 2 = 2.23 − 9.22 + 12.2 − 3
= 16 − 36 + 24 − 3
= 40 − 39
=1
∴ The maximum value is 2 and minimum value is 1.
Example of maximum and minimum values
Example: Find maximum and minimum values for the function 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 1.
Solution: Let, 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 1
∴ 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 36
∴ 𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = 12𝑥 + 6
For critical points,
𝑓′ 𝑥 = 0
⇒ 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 36 = 0
⇒ 𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 6 = 0
⇒ 𝑥 2 +3𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 6 = 0
⇒𝑥 𝑥+3 −2 𝑥+3 =0
⇒ 𝑥+3 𝑥−2 =0
Example of maximum and minimum values
𝑥+3=0 𝑥−2=0
∴ 𝑥 = −3 ∴𝑥=2
∴ 𝑥 = −3,2
When 𝑥 = −3,
𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = 12𝑥 + 6
∴ 𝑓 ′′ −3 = 12. −3 + 6
= −36 + 6
= −30 < 0.
Since 𝑓 ′′ 1 < 0, hence the function has maximum value for 𝑥 = −3.
∴The maximum value is, 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 1
∴ 𝑓 −3 = 2. (−3)3 + 3. −3 2
−36. −3 + 1
= −54 + 27 + 108 + 1
= 136 − 54
= 82
Example of maximum and minimum values
Again, when 𝑥 = 2,
𝑓 ′′ 𝑥 = 12𝑥 + 6
∴ 𝑓 ′′ 2 = 12.2 + 6
= 24 + 6
= 30 > 0.
Since 𝑓 ′′ 2 > 0, hence the function has minimum value for 𝑥 = 2.
∴The minimum value is, 𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑥 3 + 3𝑥 2 − 36𝑥 + 1
∴ 𝑓 2 = 2.23 + 3.22 −36.2 + 1
= 16 + 12 − 72 + 1
= 29 − 72
= −43
∴ The maximum value is 82 and minimum value is −43.
