Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Theorem 4.9 (Extreme Value Theorem)
The Extreme Value Theorem states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b], then it attains both a maximum and a minimum value at least once within that interval. This theorem is crucial for identifying absolute extrema, as it provides the conditions under which these extrema exist.
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Continuity of Functions
A function is continuous if there are no breaks, jumps, or holes in its graph. For the Extreme Value Theorem to apply, the function must be continuous on the specified interval. Understanding continuity helps in determining the appropriate intervals for analysis and ensures that the function behaves predictably.
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Finding Extrema
To find the absolute extrema of a function, one must evaluate the function at critical points (where the derivative is zero or undefined) and at the endpoints of the interval. This process involves calculating the derivative, setting it to zero to find critical points, and then comparing the function values at these points and the endpoints to determine the maximum and minimum values.
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