Maxima
And Minima Problems
Mathematics is like checkers in being suitable for the young, not too difficult, amusing, and without peril to the state....
Mathematics is like checkers in being suitable for the young, not too difficult, amusing, and without peril to the state. (Plato)
The gradient of a curve at a point
π¦π¦ β² > 0 leans right increasing β²β²
Key concepts from curve sketching ππ
=
Gradient
π¦π¦ β² > 0 leans right increasing
Concavity
The derivative of the related function evaluated at the point
π¦π¦ β² < 0 leans left decreasing
π¦π¦ β² < 0 leans left decreasing
π¦π¦ > 0 π¦π¦ β²β² > 0 π¦π¦ β²β² < 0 concave up concave up concave down Stationary point ππβ² = ππ A point on the curve where the tangent is parallel to the π₯π₯-axis β the gradient is zero Nature of stationary points (Relative) (Relative) Maximum turning Minimum turning Horizontal point of inflexion point point π¦π¦ < 0 concave down
β²β²
ππππ ππππ
π¦π¦ β² = 0
π¦π¦ β² = 0 π¦π¦ β² = 0 π¦π¦ β² = 0 What tells us the nature of the stationary points? These are the tests to justify your answers: π¦π¦ β²β² < 0 π¦π¦ β²β² > 0 π¦π¦ β²β² = 0 π¦π¦ β²β² = 0 concavity changes about the point Before Before β²β² Ist derivative test π¦π¦ < 0 π¦π¦ β²β² > 0 After After β²β² π¦π¦ > 0 π¦π¦ β²β² < 0 Before π¦π¦ β² > 0 After π¦π¦ β² < 0
Before π¦π¦ β² < 0 After π¦π¦ β² > 0
Note: the gradient hasnβt changed Before π¦π¦ β² > 0 After π¦π¦ β² > 0
Prepared by Sue Millet for HSC Revision Day UOW
Before π¦π¦ β² < 0 After π¦π¦ β² < 0
Maxima and Minima Problems o Read the question, and annotate. (drawing any given diagrams as you read the question can help to improve understanding of the situation.) o Identify the variables (and any constants that are pretending to be variables.) o Focus on two variables βthe quantity ( ππ ) you want to maximise/minimise and one other variable ( π₯π₯) -the question will help you to choose these variables. o Use the given information to reduce the variables -to eliminate a variable make it the subject of an equation then substitute for it. o Write an equation for the quantity you want to maximise/minimise in terms of your second variable ( ππ = ππ(π₯π₯ )). The question will usually tell you this equation. o Simplify the equation, if this is possible and sensible. ππππ o Find the derivative ( ππππ ) ππππ
o Find the stationary point value (π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π ππππππππππππ ππππ = 0 ππππππ π π π π π π π π π π ππππππ π₯π₯) o Test the stationary point value to establish the maximum/minimum using ο
ππ2 ππ πππ₯π₯ 2
, if reasonable ππππ
ο sign of ππππ on each side of your solution, if the first derivative is too complex eg you already used the quotient rule o Read the question. o Answer the question. o Throughout the process use any given answers to work towards all or part of the solution. Curve Sketching Read the question, annotate and follow the directions in each part. These will generally require you to: ππππ
o Find the derivative ( ππππ ) o Find the stationary points (π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π π ππππππππππππ π¦π¦β² = 0 ππππππ π π π π π π π π π π ππππππ π₯π₯, ππππππππ ππππππππ ππ ππππ ππππ ππππππ ππππ ππππππππππππ ππ(π₯π₯)) o Test the stationary points to establish their nature (maximum turning point/minimum turning point/ horizontal point of inflexion using ο π¦π¦β²β², if is reasonable ο sign of π¦π¦β² on each side of your solution, if the first derivative is too complex eg you already used the quotient rule o Find intercepts -definitely π¦π¦ π€π€βππππ π₯π₯ = 0, if examiners want π₯π₯ π€π€βππππ π¦π¦ = 0 theyβll usually ask. o Find points of inflexion π¦π¦ β²β² = 0 if required. ο You must test π¦π¦ β²β² either side of the point to show concavity changes o Determine endpoints if given a domain. o Read the question. o Answer the question. o Remember the maximum/minimum value may be an endpoint value
Related skills o algebraic manipulation including confidence with expanding, factorising quadratics, indices, fractions, fractional indices,β¦ o (Use of reference sheet for) differentiation, including application of the product, quotient and function of a function or chain rules
o these questions are often at the end of the exam targeting Band 6 but can also occur earlier and with good exam technique you should always be able to access some if not all of these marks
Have we learnt anything else about maximum and minimum values? The minimum value of a perfect square number/ expression is zero. Example: What is the range of π¦π¦ = π₯π₯ 2 + 7 or π¦π¦ = (π₯π₯ β 4)2 + 7?
Since the square term is always non-negative (β₯0) π¦π¦ β₯ 7 for both functions. In an exam Iβd say
Have we learnt anything else about maximum and minimum values? The square root sign indicates only the positive square root Example: What is the range of π¦π¦ = βπ₯π₯ + 7
Since the square root term is non-negative (β₯0) π¦π¦ β₯ 7. In an exam Iβd say βπ₯π₯ β₯ 0 for all π₯π₯ β΄ π¦π¦ = βπ₯π₯ + 7 β₯ 0 + 7 = 7 Another justify your answer.
So what about ? What is the range of π¦π¦ = 7 β βπ₯π₯
ββπ₯π₯ β€ 0 for all π₯π₯ β΄ π¦π¦ = 7 β βπ₯π₯ β€ 7 + 0 = 7
Have we learnt anything else about maximum and minimum values? The sine and cosine functions have maximum and minimum values β1 β€ π π π π π π π π β€ 1 and β1 β€ ππππππππ β€ 1
Example: What is the maximum value of 4 β 5π π π π π π π π ? β1 β€ π π π π π π π π β€ 1 5 β₯ β5π π π π π π π π β₯ β5 notice the sign reversal when you multiply by a negative. 9 β₯ 4 β 5π π π π π π π π β₯ β1 β1 β€ 4 β 5π π π π π π π π β€ 9 The maximum value is 9