Absolute max and minimum values

2.6k Views Asked by At

Find the absolute maximum value and the absolute minimum value, if any, of the function. (If an answer does not exist, enter DNE.)

$$f(x) = \frac{1}{2}x^4-\frac{2}{3}x^3-2x^2+3$$ on $[-2,3]$.

Min=

I was able to get the max but the answer I got for min was wrong and I can not get the right answer. I do not know what I am doing wrong. I have tried several times.

2

There are 2 best solutions below

0
On BEST ANSWER

$$f'(x)=2x^3-2x^2-4x=2x(x^2-x-2)=2x(x+1)(x-2).$$

Thus, $x_{max}=0$, $x_{min_1}=-1$ and $x_{min_2}=2$.

Id est, $$\min_{[-2,3]}f=\min\{f(-1),f(2)\}=f(2)=-\frac{7}{3}$$ and $$\max_{[-2,3]}f=\max\{f(-2),f(3),f(0)\}=f(-2)=\frac{25}{3}.$$ Done!

0
On

we get $$f(-2)=\frac{25}{3},f(3)=\frac{15}{2}$$ and $$f'(x)=2x^3-2x^2-4x$$ solving $$f'(x)=0$$ we get $$x_1=0,x_2=2,x_3=-1$$ you must determine which of these solutions give the minimum