SUMMARY
The minimum of the function \( y = 2a + \sqrt{4a^2 - 8a + 3} \) occurs at \( a = 1 \). At this point, the function evaluates to \( y = 2 \). The analysis involves completing the square for the expression under the square root, leading to a simplified form that confirms the minimum value. The critical point was determined by setting the derivative of the function to zero and solving for \( a \).
PREREQUISITES
- Understanding of calculus, specifically differentiation and critical points.
- Familiarity with completing the square in quadratic expressions.
- Knowledge of square root functions and their properties.
- Ability to analyze functions for minimum and maximum values.
NEXT STEPS
- Study the method of finding critical points using derivatives.
- Learn about completing the square for quadratic functions.
- Explore optimization techniques in calculus.
- Investigate the properties of square root functions and their graphs.
USEFUL FOR
Students studying calculus, mathematicians interested in optimization problems, and educators teaching function analysis and critical points.