Chapter 3: Problem 21
Find the number in the interval [0,3] such that the number minus its square is: a. As large as possible. b. As small as possible.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The number for maximum value is \( \frac{1}{2} \) and for minimum is 3.
Step by step solution
01
Define the Function
First, define the function that represents the expression given in the problem. Let \( f(x) = x - x^2 \). This function will help us understand the relationship between \( x \) and \( x^2 \).
02
Find the Derivative
Differentiate the function \( f(x) = x - x^2 \) to find the critical points. The derivative is \( f'(x) = 1 - 2x \).
03
Solve for Critical Points
Set the derivative \( f'(x) = 0 \) to find the critical points. Solve \( 1 - 2x = 0 \), which gives \( x = \frac{1}{2} \).
04
Evaluate the Function at Critical Points and Endpoints
Substitute the critical point \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) and the endpoints \( x = 0 \) and \( x = 3 \) into the function \( f(x) = x - x^2 \).- \( f(0) = 0 - 0^2 = 0 \)- \( f(\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{1}{2} - (\frac{1}{2})^2 = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{4} = \frac{1}{4} \)- \( f(3) = 3 - 3^2 = 3 - 9 = -6 \)
05
Determine Maximum and Minimum Values
Compare the values of \( f(x) \) at the critical point and endpoints:- Maximum value occurs at \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) with \( f(\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{1}{4} \).- Minimum value occurs at \( x = 3 \) with \( f(3) = -6 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding the Derivative
A derivative helps us understand how a function changes at any point. It tells us the slope of the tangent line to the function curve at a given point. This concept is vital when you want to find the peaks or valleys of a function, known as critical points. For the function \( f(x) = x - x^2 \), the derivative is \( f'(x) = 1 - 2x \).
To find critical points, we solve \( f'(x) = 0 \). By doing this for \( 1 - 2x = 0 \), we find that the critical point is at \( x = \frac{1}{2} \). This point potentially represents where the function reaches a maximum or minimum within the given interval.
To find critical points, we solve \( f'(x) = 0 \). By doing this for \( 1 - 2x = 0 \), we find that the critical point is at \( x = \frac{1}{2} \). This point potentially represents where the function reaches a maximum or minimum within the given interval.
Function Evaluation
Function evaluation involves substituting specific values into a function to get outputs. In our exercise, we evaluate the function \( f(x) = x - x^2 \) at the critical point and the endpoints of the interval [0,3].
- At \( x = 0 \), \( f(0) = 0 - 0^2 = 0 \).
- At the critical point \( x=\frac{1}{2} \), \( f(\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{1}{2} - \left(\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{1}{4} \).
- At \( x = 3 \), \( f(3) = 3 - 3^2 = -6 \).
Exploring Optimization
Optimization is about finding the best possible value of a function under given conditions. This could mean finding the maximum or minimum value. In our exercise, the goal was to find when the expression \( x - x^2 \) is largest and smallest within the interval [0,3].
- Maximum: Occurs at \( x = \frac{1}{2} \) with the value \( \frac{1}{4} \).
- Minimum: Occurs at \( x = 3 \) with the value \( -6 \).
Interval Analysis and Its Importance
Interval analysis involves looking at how a function behaves over a specific range of inputs, known as an interval. For the exercise at hand, the interval is [0,3]. By analyzing this interval:
- We ensure that all evaluations stay within the scope of our interest.
- It helps us verify that the identified maximum and minimum values are valid within the desired range.
- It allows us to identify any endpoints, which could also potentially hold the maximum or minimum values.