# Math Help - Determining absolute extreme of function

1. ## Determining absolute extreme of function

f(x)=x2+2x-4 Interval is [-1, 1]
What I did:
f'(x)=2x+2
x=-1
Plugged in:
One of my minimums is (-1, 0)

I'm confused on how to get the maximum now.
I did 0=x2+2x-4
4=x(x+2)
4/(x+2)=x
But I don't think this is correct.

Thanks!

2. ## Re: Determining absolute extreme of function

Global maxima and minima can occur either at stationary points or at endpoints of the function. You have found the stationary point. Now evaluate each of the endpoints and see which of the three values is the largest and which is the smallest.

3. ## Re: Determining absolute extreme of function

Originally Posted by Prove It
Global maxima and minima can occur either at stationary points or at endpoints of the function. You have found the stationary point. Now evaluate each of the endpoints and see which of the three values is the largest and which is the smallest.
Ok still kind of confused, like for example, if I had -x^2 + 3x and the Intervals are [0,3]
What I did was find the derivative which is -2x + 3, and so x=3/2
I plugged that back into the original equation, so the maximum is ((3/2),(9/4))

The minimums are (0,0) and (3,0), but I'm a bit confused how they got to the minimum
Just like with this problem as well.
I kind of need help, so a little more advice would be nice
Thanks!

4. ## Re: Determining absolute extreme of function

Like ProveIt said, you need to look at the points where the derivative is zero and ALSO the endpoints. You got a maximum where the derivative is zero, and the minima come from the endpoints.

- Hollywood