Maximum of a Function

Question 1

What is the definition of a maximum of a function?

Answer

For any function $ f $ defined on an interval $ I $, taking $ m $ a real of this interval, if $ f(x) <= f(m) $ over the whole interval $ I $ then $ f $ reaches its maximum in $ x=m $ over $ I $. The value of the maximum is $ f(m) $.

Example: Maximize $ f(x) = -x^2 $, defined over $ \mathbb{R} $, the function reaches its maximum in $ x=0 $, $ f(x=0) = 0 $ and $ f(x) <= 0 $ over $ \mathbb{R} $.

The maximum of a function is always defined with an interval, it can be local (between 2 values), or global: over the domain of definition of the function.

Question 2

How to calculate a maximum of a function?

Answer

The maximums of a function are detected when the derivative becomes null and changes its sign (passing through 0 from the positive side to the negative side).

Example: Calculate the maximum of the function $ f(x) = -x^2 + 1 $. This function has for derivative $ f'(x) = -2x $ which is nullable in $ x = 0 $ as $ f'(x) = 0 \iff -2x = 0 \iff x = 0 $. An extremum is found in 0, its value is $ f(0) = 1 $. Calculations of limits $$ \lim_{x\to0^-}{f'(x) = 0^+} \\ \lim_{x\to0^+}{f'(x) = 0^-} $$ show that the derivative change of sign from positive $ 0^+ $ to negative $ 0^- $. Global extremum of the function is then $ 1 $ for $ x=0 $.

dCode has also a minimum of a function calculator tool.

Question 3

How to calculate a local maximum over an interval?

Answer

Add one or more constraints indicating the conditions for each variable.

Example: Find the maximum of $ \cos{x} $ for $ -\pi < x < \pi $

Indicate to dCode several equations with the operator && (logical AND) to separate the equations

Question 4

What is an extremum?

Answer

An extremum is the name given to an extreme value of a function, a value that can be maximum (maximum of a function) or minimal (minimum of a function).

Question 5

What is a majorant of a function?

Answer

The majorant is any value greater than or equal to the maximum value reached by the function.

Question 6

What is the maximum of a constant function?

Answer

A constant function $ f (x) = c $ is a line, and always equals $ c $, so its maximum is $ c $, reached for any value of $ x $

Question 7

What is the maximum of an affine function?

Answer

An affine function $ f (x) = ax + b $ is a line that always has for maximum $ +\infty $

— If $ a < 0 $, the maximum of $ f $ is $ +\infty $ when $ x $ tends to $ -\infty $

— If $ a > 0 $, the maximum of $ f $ is $ +\infty $ when $ x $ tends to $ +\infty $

Question 8

What is the maximum of a 2nd degree polynomial function?

Answer

For a quadratic polynomial function $ f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c $ then

— If $ a < 0 $, the maximum of $ f $ is $ (-b^2 + 4 a c)/(4 a) $ reached when $ x = -\frac{b}{2a} $

— If $ a > 0 $, the maximum of $ f $ is $ +\infty $ when $ x $ tends to $ +\infty $

Maximum of a Function

Maximum Calculator

Maximum Search

Minimum Calculator

Answers to Questions (FAQ)