Finding the Max and Min of a Function Kevin Fitzpatrick • CC Edwards CALCULATORS: Casio: fx-9750G Plus & cfx-9850G Series TI: TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus & TI-83/TI-84 Plus Silver Editions CASIO GRAPHING CALCULATORS TI GRAPHING CALCULATORS Finding max and min values on the Home screen of: f(x)= 9x4 + 2x3 –3x2 Finding max and min values on the Home screen of: f(x)= 9x4 + 2x3 –3x2 From the graph shown below, it appears that f(x)= 9x4 + 2x3 –3x2 has an absolute minimum in [-1,0], an obvious relative maximum at x = 0, and a relative minimum in [0, 1]. From the graph shown below, it appears that f(x)= 9x4 + 2x3 –3x2 has an absolute minimum in [-1,0], an obvious relative maximum at x = 0, and a relative minimum in [0, 1]. To find the absolute minimum: To find the absolute minimum: 1. Press MENU then 1 (RUN) to select the main calculation HOME screen. 1. Enter the function in the Y= editor. 2. Press MATH 6 to select fMin from the MATH/MATH menu. 3. Enter the function and then press , . If the function is stored in the Y= editor, press VARS right arrow and ENTER. Then press the number key corresponding to the number of the function in the Y= editor. 2. Press OPTN, then F4 (CALC), then F6 to move ahead one screen, then F1 (FMin). This will place the FMin command on the screen. 4. Enter the letter of the function variable (x) and press , . 5. Enter the lower limit of the interval containing the minimum, press , then enter the upper limit, and press ) . 6. Press ENTER to find the absolute minimum in that interval. The calculator gives you the location (x-value) of the absolute minimum, as shown in the second line of the above screen shot. Finding the Max and Min of a Function 1 © Casio, Inc. • For Classroom Use Only Finding the Max and Min of a Function continued CALCULATORS: Casio: fx-9750G Plus & cfx-9850G Series TI: TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus & TI-83/TI-84 Plus Silver Editions CASIO GRAPHING CALCULATORS TI GRAPHING CALCULATORS The third line of this screen shot shows that you can evaluate the y-value of this minimum by entering the function and pressing 2nd ANS to enter the x-value of this minimum. 3. Into the FMin command: Enter the function, the lower bound and the upper bound and press EXE. The relative minimum in [0, 1] can be found by further restricting the limits of the interval, as illustrated in the fourth line as shown in the screen shot. 4. Both the x and y-values of the minimum point will be displayed on a second screen in a matrix format. The maximum value is found in a similar manner by pressing fMax to select fMax from the MATH/MATH menu. 5. The relative minimum in [0, -1] can be found by further restricting the limits of the interval, as illustrated in the above screen shot. 6. The maximum value is found in a similar manner by pressing OPTN, then F4 (CALC), then F6 to move ahead one screen, then F2 (FMax). Finding the Max and Min of a Function 2 © Casio, Inc. • For Classroom Use Only Finding the Max and Min of a Function continued CALCULATORS: Casio: fx-9750G Plus & cfx-9850G Series TI: TI-83 Plus, TI-84 Plus & TI-83/TI-84 Plus Silver Editions CASIO GRAPHING CALCULATORS TI GRAPHING CALCULATORS Finding max and min values on the Graph screen of: f(x)= 9x4 + 2x3 –3x2 Finding max and min values on the Graph screen of: f(x)= 9x4 + 2x3 –3x2 After graphing the function, follow these steps: • To find the minimum(s), press F5(G-Solve), then F3 (MIN). It will locate the minimum starting at the left most, and show the point and coordinates on the screen. To find subsequent minimum points, press the right arrow. (User note: watch the screen, the cursor will visibly "walk" to the next value. After graphing the function, follow these steps: 1. Press 2nd CALC to access the GRAPH/CALC menu. Press 3 to find a minimum or press 4 to find a maximum. • 2. Enter the lower limit of the interval containing the minimum and press ENTER . 3. Enter the upper limit of the interval containing the minimum and press ENTER . To find the maximum(s). Repeat the process above, using F2 (MAX). User note: No need to guess at values or place the cursor. It will begin at the left, find the values, display the function, graph, point, and a Max or Min screen note. 4. When prompted for a guess, enter a number near the location of the x-coordinate of minimum or maximum. 5. Press ENTER to find the absolute minimum or maximum. If there are two absolute minimums (or maximums) in the interval, the calculator will find the absolute minimum (maximum) closest to your guess. THE CASIO ADVANTAGE • • • • • Same functionality Greater efficiency, much fewer keystrokes Move more directly to the desired result No danger of capturing a value that is not desired The fx-9750G Plus costs approximately 1/2 the price of the TI-83 plus. Finding the Max and Min of a Function 3 © Casio, Inc. • For Classroom Use Only