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Maxima and Minima Exercises

The document contains exercises on finding and classifying extrema of various functions using differentiation techniques. It includes solutions for functions such as f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3 and f(x) = x^3 - 3x^2 + 2, detailing critical points, maxima, minima, and points of inflection. Each exercise provides the necessary calculations and evaluations to determine the extrema for the given functions.

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Stephen Kirkup
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183 views3 pages

Maxima and Minima Exercises

The document contains exercises on finding and classifying extrema of various functions using differentiation techniques. It includes solutions for functions such as f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 3 and f(x) = x^3 - 3x^2 + 2, detailing critical points, maxima, minima, and points of inflection. Each exercise provides the necessary calculations and evaluations to determine the extrema for the given functions.

Uploaded by

Stephen Kirkup
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Maxima and Minima Exercises (Differentiation)

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1. Find and classify the extrema of f (x) = x2 − 4x + 3.

2. Find local maxima and minima of f (x) = x3 − 3x2 + 2.

3. Find the extrema of f (x) = x2 + 4x + 5 on R.

4. Find the maximum and minimum of f (x) = x3 − 3x on [−2, 2].

5. Find the extrema of f (x) = sin x + cos x on [0, π].

6. Find critical points of f (x) = x4 − 4x3 + 10.

7. Find extrema of f (x) = x3 − 9x2 + 24x + 1.

1
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Solutions
1.
f ′ (x) = 2x − 4 = 0 ⇒ x = 2.
f ′′ (x) = 2 > 0 ⇒ minimum at (2, −1) as f (2) = −1.

2.
f ′ (x) = 3x2 − 6x = 3x(x − 2).
So x = 0, 2.
f ′′ (x) = 6x − 6.
f ′′ (0) = −6 < 0 ⇒ max at x = 0, f (0) = 2. f ′′ (2) = 6 > 0 ⇒ min at x = 2, f (2) = −2.

The function has a maximum at (0, 2) and a minimum at (2, −2).

3.
f ′ (x) = 2x + 4 = 0 ⇒ x = −2.
f ′′ (x) = 2 > 0 ⇒ minimum at x = −2, f (−2) = 1.

4.
f ′ (x) = 3x2 − 3 = 0 ⇒ x = ±1.
Evaluate:
f (−2) = −2, f (−1) = 2, f (1) = −2, f (2) = 2.
Maximum f = 2 at x = −1, 2; Minimum f = −2 at x = −2, 1.

5.
f ′ (x) = cos x − sin x = 0 ⇒ tan x = 1 ⇒ x = π/4.
Evaluate: √
f (0) = 1, f (π/4) = 2, f (π) = −1.
√
Max 2 at x = π/4; Min −1 at x = π.

6.
f ′ (x) = 4x3 − 12x2 = 4x2 (x − 3).
Critical points: x = 0, 3.

f ′′ (x) = 12x2 − 24x = 12x(x − 2).

At
x = 3, f ′′ (3) = 36 > 0 ⇒ min;
At
x = 0, f ′′ (0) = 0 could be any type of turning point.
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In order to determine the nature of the turning point, look at the value of f at x = 0 and
also the value of x just either side of x = 0. In this case the value of f is less than f (0) on
one side and greater than f (0) on the other and so it is a point of inflection.

f (3) = −17.

7.
f ′ (x) = 3x2 − 18x + 24 = 3(x − 2)(x − 4).
f ′′ (x) = 6x − 18.
f ′′ (2) = −6 < 0 ⇒ max at x = 2, f (2) = 21. f ′′ (4) = 6 > 0 ⇒ min at x = 4, f (4) = 17.

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