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| − | {{move|Extrema}}
| + | '''Maxima''' and '''minima''' are a type of '''extrema''' or critical points (numbers) for functions, which can be found with calculus. |
| − | '''Maxima''' are a type of extrema or critical number for functions, which can be found with calculus. | |
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| | The ''absolute'' maximum of a function is the point in the domain at which the function achieves its largest value. For example, the absolute maximum of <math>f(x) = 1- x^2</math> occurs at <math>x=0</math>, where <math>f(0) = 1</math>. | | The ''absolute'' maximum of a function is the point in the domain at which the function achieves its largest value. For example, the absolute maximum of <math>f(x) = 1- x^2</math> occurs at <math>x=0</math>, where <math>f(0) = 1</math>. |
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| | To find the '''maxima''' of multi-variable functions, take the partial derivatives of the function with respect to each variable and set each of those resulting equations to zero. | | To find the '''maxima''' of multi-variable functions, take the partial derivatives of the function with respect to each variable and set each of those resulting equations to zero. |
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| − | The [[minima]] of a function can be calculated in an analogous manner. | + | The '''minima''' of a function can be calculated in an analogous manner. |
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| | The computation of maxima of functions remains an important issue in more advanced mathematics. For example, it is often useful to consider real-valued continuous functions on more exotic topological spaces, and ask what their maxima are. Note that some functions do not have maxima: for example, <math>f(x) = x^2</math> takes on arbitrarily large values. A fundamental theorem states that any function defined on a [[compact space]] obtains a maximum value; this is just a consequence of the fact that the image of a compact space under a continuous function is compact, and thus bounded. | | The computation of maxima of functions remains an important issue in more advanced mathematics. For example, it is often useful to consider real-valued continuous functions on more exotic topological spaces, and ask what their maxima are. Note that some functions do not have maxima: for example, <math>f(x) = x^2</math> takes on arbitrarily large values. A fundamental theorem states that any function defined on a [[compact space]] obtains a maximum value; this is just a consequence of the fact that the image of a compact space under a continuous function is compact, and thus bounded. |
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| | :fourth, plug in the various critical points for (x,y) back into ''f(x,y)'' and simply identify the absolute and relative maxima and minima. | | :fourth, plug in the various critical points for (x,y) back into ''f(x,y)'' and simply identify the absolute and relative maxima and minima. |
| − | [[Category:calculus]] | + | [[Category:Calculus]] |
| − | [[Category:mathematics]] | + | [[Category:Mathematics]] |