Global Extrema, Convexity and Concavity, Investigation of the Behaviour of a Function

Global Extrema (Absolute Extrema) Let a function f ( x ) be defined on a set M and let x0 M . The value f ( x0 ) is said to be a global (absolute) maximum of f on M, if: x M : f ( x ) f ( x0 ) . The value f ( x0 ) is said to be a global (absolute) minimum of f on M, if: x M : f ( x ) f ( x0 ) . Therefore the global maximum is the greatest and the global minimum is the least value assumed by the function f (on M). S ea!ing about minimum or maximum "ithout s ecifying the set, it is considered to be the least or the greatest value of f on D ( f ) . #ften a earing roblem is to find the greatest (maximum) and the least (minimum) values of a continuous function in a closed interval a, b . $e roceed as follo"s: %. $e find all critical oints x% , x& , ...xk ( a, b ) &. $e com ute f ( a ), f ( b ), f ( x% ), f ( x& ),... f ( xk ) The greatest of these values is the global maximum of f in values is the global minimum of f in a, b . 'xam le %. (ind the least and the greatest values of &, * .
a, b

and the least of these in the interval

f : y = & x ) ) x & %& x +% ,

'xam le &. + rectangle is to be inscribed in a semicircle of radius &. $hat is the largest area the rectangle can have and "hat are its dimensions. 'xam le ). + rectangular lot is to be bounded on one side by a straight river and enclosed on the other three sides by a fence. $ith ,00m of fence at your dis osal, "hat is the largest area you can encloseemar!" .f f fails to be continuous or M is not a closed interval, then minimum and maximum f on M can be, but need not be reached. 'xam le *. Sho" that among all rectangles "ith a given erimeter /, the one "ith the largest area is a s0uare. 'xam le 1. +n o en rectangular box is to be made from a iece of cardboard , in "ide and %1 in long by cutting s0uares from the corners and folding u the sides. (ind the dimensions of the box of largest volume.

Convexity, Concavity, #oints of Inflection Let f ( x ) be a function differentiable on an interval 2. The function f is called convex (concave) on 2, if all oints of its gra h on 2 lie above (belo") any tangent line to G ( f ) on this interval (exce ting oint of tangency). Let f be continuous at a oint x0 . .f there exists + > 0 such that f is concave (convex) in N ( x0 ) and convex (concave) in N ( x0 ) , the oint x0 is called the $oint of inflection of f ( x ) . %he second &erivative %est for Concavity and Convexity : .f f 3 3 ( x ) > 0 , for each x J , then f ( x ) is convex on 2, if f 3 3 ( x ) < 0 , for each x J , then f ( x ) is concave on 2. .t follo"s: ( x0 ) and f 3 3 ( x ) < 0 ( .f f ( x ) is continuous at x0 and f 3 3 ( x ) > 0 ( f 3 3 ( x ) < 0 ) in N
+ f 3 3 ( x ) > 0 ) in N ( x0 ) , then x0 is a oint of inflection.

Moreover: .f x0 is a oint of inflection of f, then either f 3 3 ( x0 ) = 0 or f 3 3 ( x0 ) doesn4t exist. .f f is three times differentiable at a oint x0 , f 3 3 ( x0 ) = 0 and f 3 3 3 ( x ) 0 , then x0 is a oint of inflection. 'xam le 5. (ind intervals of convexity and concavity and oints of inflection for functions:
f% : y = x ) + ) x & 6 x + 1

f & : y = x)
f) : y = x *

%+ x % x f 1 : y = x sin x f * : y = ln

f5 : y = ) x
f7 : y = x& %

General 'cheme for the Investigation of the Gra$h of a Function. (or a given function f ( x ) this scheme is divided to six stages at "hich "e determine, in succession, the follo"ing elements of the behaviour of the function: %. D( f ) , oints of discontinuity, 8ero oints (the oints at "hich G ( f ) cuts the axes of coordinates) &. The character of symmetry of G ( f ) , that is "hether the function is even or odd (or neither) and eriodicity ). +ll !inds of asym totes (vertical, hori8ontal, inclined) *. .ntervals of monotonicity and oints of extrema (local) 1. .ntervals of convexity and concavity and oints of inflection 5. G ( f ), R( f ) (if need be limits at im ro er oints) 'xam le 7. .nvestigate the behaviour of functions

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) 9) !) l) m)

f :y=

x & +% )x

f :y=

& )x x &
&

f : y =e x

f :y=

ln x f : y = x & arctan x x

f : y = ln * x &

% x % f : y =x+ x % f :y= x& * x f :y= & x +* f : y =x

f :y= x) &( x +%) &

f : y = x& +

% x&

f : y = x & e x

'xam le ,. $hat is the largest area ossible for a rectangle inscribed into a semicircle of radius &'xam le 6. (ind maximal area of an isosceles triangle inscribed into a circle "ith the radius R >0.