4.3 Global maxima and minima

Main points:
○ f has a global minimum at p if f(p) is less than or equal to all values f
○ f has a global maximum at p if f(p) is greater than or equal to all values f
○ Finding global max and min (including endpoints)
○ Compare values of the function at all the critical points in the interval and at the endpoints
○ Finding global max and min (excluding endpoints or on the entire real line)
○ Find the values of the function at all the critical points and sketch a graph

Challenges:

I ran into troubles as I tried to differentiate sin2x, so I still have weaknesses in the basic skills and I feel that they keep bugging me as we learn new topics. I also found word problems to be lot more difficult compared to problems with a set of given values. So translating word problems to mathematical language and understanding what is asked is still difficult for me.

Reflection:


I understood quickly how to find the global maximum and minimum but applying it to the problems is still difficult. This is mainly due to problems with basic differentiation and understanding written questions. The examples were interesting as I have done biology in the past and the example relating to minimizing gas consumption was good as I found it to relate to an everyday topic I have discussed with my friends.