Chapter 6: Problem 11
Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of \(f\) on the given closed interval, and state where those values occur. $$f(x)=x-\tan x ;[-\pi / 4, \pi / 4]$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The absolute maximum is \(f(-\pi/4) = 1 - \pi/4\) at \(-\pi/4\) and the absolute minimum is \(f(\pi/4) = \pi/4 - 1\) at \(\pi/4\).
Step by step solution
01
Finding Critical Points
Find the derivative of the function to locate critical points. The function is given as \( f(x) = x - \tan x \). The derivative, \( f'(x) = 1 - \sec^2 x \), is used to find critical points. Set the derivative equal to zero: \( 1 - \sec^2 x = 0 \), which simplifies to \( \sec^2 x = 1 \). Recall that \( \sec^2 x = 1/\cos^2 x \), meaning \( \cos^2 x = 1 \). This occurs at \( x = 0 \) within the interval \([-\pi/4, \pi/4] \).
02
Evaluate Function at Critical Points
Evaluate the original function at the critical point. Since we found \( x = 0 \) as a critical point, calculate \( f(0) = 0 - \tan(0) = 0 \).
03
Evaluate Function at Endpoints
Evaluate the function \( f(x) = x - \tan x \) at the endpoints of the interval. For \( x = -\pi/4 \), compute \( f(-\pi/4) = -\pi/4 - \tan(-\pi/4) = -\pi/4 + 1 = 1 - \pi/4 \). For \( x = \pi/4 \), calculate \( f(\pi/4) = \pi/4 - \tan(\pi/4) = \pi/4 - 1 = \pi/4 - 1 \).
04
Determine Maximum and Minimum Values
Compare the function values at the critical point and endpoints to identify the absolute maximum and minimum. The values are \( f(0) = 0 \), \( f(-\pi/4) = 1 - \pi/4 \), and \( f(\pi/4) = \pi/4 - 1 \). Convert \( 1 - \pi/4 \) and \( \pi/4 - 1 \) to decimal approximations for clarity: \( f(-\pi/4) \approx 0.215 \) and \( f(\pi/4) \approx -0.215 \). Thus, the absolute maximum value is approximately \( 0.215 \) at \( x = -\pi/4 \), and the absolute minimum value is approximately \( -0.215 \) at \( x = \pi/4 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Critical Points
In calculus, critical points are crucial for finding where a function may have a local maximum or minimum. These points occur where the derivative of the function is zero or undefined. For this exercise, we looked at the function \( f(x) = x - \tan x \). To find critical points, we computed its derivative:
- \( f'(x) = 1 - \sec^2 x \)
Derivative
Derivatives are fundamental in calculus, representing the rate of change of a function. They help determine the behavior of functions like increasing, decreasing, and concavity. In this case, the function \( f(x) = x - \tan x \) required finding its derivative:
- \( f'(x) = 1 - \sec^2 x \)
Absolute Maximum and Minimum
Finding the absolute maximum and minimum involves evaluating the function at critical points and endpoints of a given interval. For this function \( f(x) = x - \tan x \), we applied this method over the interval \([-\pi/4, \pi/4]\):
- Evaluate at critical point: \( f(0) = 0 - \tan(0) = 0 \).
- Evaluate at endpoints: \( f(-\pi/4) = 1 - \pi/4 \) and \( f(\pi/4) = \pi/4 - 1 \).
Trigonometric Functions
Trigonometric functions like \( \tan(x) \) are periodic and can alter the behavior of functions significantly over intervals. In \( f(x) = x - \tan x \), \( \tan x \) introduces periodic variation in \( f(x) \). To understand the effects of \( \tan x \), consider its key properties:
- \( \tan(x) \) has a period of \( \pi \) and is undefined at \( \pm \pi/2 \), making it crucial to restrict domains.
- At \( x = 0 \), \( \tan(0) = 0 \), simplifying evaluations like \( f(0) \).
- At \( x = \pm \pi/4 \), \( \tan(\pm \pi/4) = \pm 1 \).