Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Derivative and Critical Points
The derivative of a function, denoted as ƒ'(x), represents the rate of change of the function at a given point. Critical points occur where the derivative is zero or undefined, indicating potential local maxima, minima, or points of inflection. In this question, ƒ'(x) = 0 at x = 1 and 2 suggests these are critical points where the function may change from increasing to decreasing or vice versa.
Recommended video:
Absolute and Local Extrema
Absolute extrema refer to the highest and lowest values of a function over a specified interval, while local extrema are the highest or lowest points within a neighborhood of a point. The problem states that ƒ has an absolute maximum at x = 4 and an absolute minimum at x = 0, indicating these points are the overall highest and lowest values of the function on the interval [0, 4].
Recommended video:
Finding Extrema Graphically
Continuity of Functions
A function is continuous if there are no breaks, jumps, or holes in its graph over a given interval. In this case, the function ƒ is specified to be continuous on [0, 4], which means it can be drawn without lifting the pencil. This property is essential for ensuring that the function behaves predictably at the endpoints and throughout the interval, particularly when identifying extrema.
Recommended video: