Chapter 8: Problem 5
Show that the absolute minimum of \(f(x)=\sqrt{25-x^{2}}\) on [-5,5] is 0 and the absolute maximum is 5.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Answer: The absolute minimum value is 0 and the absolute maximum value is 5.
Step by step solution
01
Find the first derivative of f(x)
First, we differentiate the function with respect to x. Since \(f(x) = \sqrt{25 - x^2}\), we can rewrite this as \(f(x) = (25 - x^2)^{1/2}\). Then, applying the chain rule to find the derivative:
$$f'(x) = \frac{1}{2}(25 - x^2)^{-1/2}(-2x) = \frac{-x}{\sqrt{25 - x^2}}$$
02
Determine the critical points
Now we must find the critical points of the function, so we must find where \(f'(x) = 0\) or \(f'(x)\) is undefined. The first derivative is undefined when the denominator is zero, which happens when x = ±5. So, let's find where the first derivative equals zero:
$$\frac{-x}{\sqrt{25 - x^2}} = 0$$
Multiplying both sides of the equation by \(\sqrt{25 - x^2}\), we get:
$$-x = 0$$
So, we have one critical point at \(x=0\).
03
Evaluate the function at critical points and endpoints
We will now evaluate the function \(f(x)\) at all critical points and the two endpoints (-5 and 5) since the function is continuous everywhere in \([-5, 5]\). The two critical points are x = -5, 0, and 5.
$$f(-5) = \sqrt{25 - (-5)^2} = \sqrt{0} = 0$$
$$f(0) = \sqrt{25 - 0^2} = \sqrt{25} = 5$$
$$f(5) = \sqrt{25 - 5^2} = \sqrt{0} = 0$$
04
Determine the absolute minimum and maximum
Comparing the values of the function, we see that:
- Absolute minimum is 0, which occurs at x = -5 and x = 5.
- Absolute maximum is 5, which occurs at x = 0.
Hence, the absolute minimum of \(f(x)\) on the interval \([-5, 5]\) is 0, and the absolute maximum is 5.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Critical Points
Critical points are specific values in the domain of a function where its derivative is either zero or undefined. These points are essential for finding the local maxima and minima, as well as identifying potential locations of absolute extrema on a given interval.
- To find critical points, follow these steps: Calculate the derivative of the function.
- Solve the equation where the derivative is zero.
- Identify points where the derivative is undefined.
Absolute Extrema
Absolute extrema refer to the absolute maximum or minimum values that a function attains on a specific interval. Unlike local extrema, which might occur in smaller open intervals within a function's domain, absolute extrema evaluate the function across a broader interval and include endpoints.
- To determine absolute extrema:
- Evaluate the function at each critical point and at the endpoints of the interval.
- Compare these values to find the greatest and smallest ones.
Differentiation
Differentiation is the process of finding a derivative, which represents the rate of change of a function with respect to its variable. Derivatives help identify critical points and can also be useful in optimizing real-world scenarios where you need to find maximum or minimum values.
- A derivative can be found using basic rules like the power rule, product rule, quotient rule, or the chain rule.
- For composite functions, the chain rule is particularly useful.
Chain Rule
The chain rule is a technique in calculus used to differentiate composite functions. It's like a two-step process that allows you to deal with functions nested within one another.
- The general formula for the chain rule is: if you have a composite function, \(y = g(f(x))\), then its derivative is \(y' = g'(f(x)) \cdot f'(x)\).
- This approach simplifies differentiation tasks that might otherwise be very complex.