Exercise · ZW-EXTREME-VALUE-THEOREM-018 · ★★★ Advanced

Find the maximum and minimum of \(f(x)=x^3-3x\) on \([-2,3]\).

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. Maximum \(18\), minimum \(-2\)

Explanation

Compare the endpoints and the critical points \(x=\pm1\): \(f(-2)=-2\), \(f(-1)=2\), \(f(1)=-2\), \(f(3)=18\). The maximum is \(18\) and the minimum \(-2\).

Study Calculus in ZWMath →

Review the concept: Extreme value theorem

If \(f\) is continuous on a closed and bounded interval \([a,b]\), then \(f\) attains an absolute maximum and minimum on \([a,b]\).

\[f\ \text{continuous on }[a,b]\ \Rightarrow\ \exists\,m,M\in[a,b]:\ f(m)\le f(x)\le f(M)\]

More practice problems: extreme value theorem

← ZW-EXTREME-VALUE-THEOREM-017 ZW-EXTREME-VALUE-THEOREM-019 →