Extremas and MVT

[iRaid]

Can anyone give me an easy way to find extremas and how to use the mean value theorem. This is the first thing in calculus where I read and reread and have no idea what to do when I get to the problems. It just doesn't make sense to me..

Any help is appreciated. Thank you.

EDIT: Basically my question is: Can someone show me their steps in solving a math problem involving these 2 things.

[mathwonk]

try these notes for max min.