http://www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Functions and Graphs
1.5 Maximums and Minimums
Here you will learn to identify the maximums and minimums in various graphs and be able to differentiate between
global and relative extreme values.
When riding a roller coaster there is always one point that is the absolute highest off the ground. There are usually
many other places that reach fairly high, just not as high as the first. How do you identify and distinguish between
these different peaks in a precise way?
Watch This
MEDIA
Click image to the left for use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/57938http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=votVWz-wKeI
Guidance
A global maximum refers to the point with the largestyvalue possible on a function. A global minimum refers to the
point with the smallestyvalue possible. Together these two values are referred to as global extrema. There can only
be one global maximum and only one global minimum. Global refers to entire space where the function is defined.
Global extrema are also called absolute extrema.
In addition to global maximums and global minimums, there are also local extrema or relative maximums and
relative minimums. The word relative is used because in relation to some neighborhood, these values stand out as
being the highest or the lowest.