How to Find Max and Min Points for \(\frac{x^3}{2} - |1 - 4x|\) in \((0, 2)\)?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the maximum and minimum points of the function $$\frac{x^3}{2} - |1 - 4x|$$ within the interval $$(0, 2)$$. Participants explore the implications of the absolute value in the function and how it affects the domain and critical points.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether to ignore the case when $$|1 - 4x|$$ is expressed as $$-(-1 + 4x)$$ since it leads to $$x < 0$$, which is outside the specified range.
  • Some participants clarify the conditions under which $$|1 - 4x|$$ can be expressed as $$-(1 - 4x)$$, specifically for $$x > \frac{1}{4}$$.
  • Another participant proposes to derive the function separately for different cases based on the value of $$x$$ relative to $$\frac{1}{4}$$.
  • In Case 1, the function simplifies to $$\frac{x^3}{2} - 1 + 4x$$, leading to a critical point analysis that results in complex roots, which one participant suggests to ignore.
  • In Case 2, the function becomes $$\frac{x^3}{2} + 1 - 4x$$, yielding a real critical point $$x = \sqrt{\frac{8}{3}}$$, but the negative root is disregarded due to domain constraints.
  • Participants discuss the importance of evaluating both critical points and endpoints of the domain to determine maximum and minimum values.
  • One participant expresses satisfaction with their findings after evaluating the function at critical and endpoint values, reporting a maximum and minimum value.
  • Another participant clarifies the meaning of the symbol $$\forall$$, which denotes "for all" or "for every".

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the approach to finding critical points and evaluating the function, but there is some uncertainty regarding the interpretation of the absolute value and its implications for the domain. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the final interpretation of the results.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the correct handling of the absolute value function and its impact on the domain of the problem. There are also unresolved mathematical steps regarding the critical points derived from the function.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals working on calculus problems involving absolute values, critical point analysis, and optimization within specified intervals.

Petrus
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Calculate max and min point to function $$\frac{x^3}{2}-|1-4x|$$ in the range $$\left(0,2 \right)$$
I got one question, shall I ignore when it's $$\frac{x^3}{2}-(-1+4x)$$ cause then $$x<0$$ and that don't fit in my range? Do I got correct?
 
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$$|1-4x|=-(1-4x) \,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\, x>\frac{1}{4}$$
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
$$|1-4x|=-(1-4x) \,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\, x>\frac{1}{4}$$
So I basically got wrong? (I have not done this kind of problem with aboslute value)
If I understand correct so I will have
$$|1-4x|=-(1-4x) \,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\, x>\frac{1}{4}$$ that means i got new range on that? $$\left(\frac{1}{4},2 \right)$$
$$|1-4x|=-(-1+4) \,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\ x<\frac{1}{4} $$ that means my new range is $$\left(0,\frac{1}{4} \right)$$ I am right? If so shall I derivate both and find crit point?
 
Do you mean the domain ? Because the domain represents the values for x but the range represents the values for y
 
ZaidAlyafey said:
Do you mean the domain ? Because the domain represents the values for x but the range represents the values for y
Yeah I mean domain, Thats what the problem is asking for :P? Sorry I did not know it's called domain in english
 
Ok , then you are correct , derive each function separately .
 
let's make them to case 1 and case 2
Case 1:
$$|1-4x|=-(1-4x) \,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\, x>\frac{1}{4}$$ $$\left(\frac{1}{4},2 \right)$$
Our function become $$\frac{x^3}{2}-1+4x$$
If we derivate the function we get $$\frac{3x^2}{2}+4$$
Now we want to find critical point $$\frac{3x^2}{2}+4=0$$
So I factor out $$\frac{1}{2}$$ and get $$\frac{1}{2}(3x^2+8)=0$$ and our critical point (complex) are $$x_1=\sqrt{\frac{-8}{3}}$$ and $$x_2=-\sqrt{\frac{-8}{3}}$$ I guess we shall ignore case 1 cause we got complex roots.
Case 2:
$$|1-4x|=-(-1+4) \,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\ x<\frac{1}{4} $$ $$\left(0,\frac{1}{4} \right)$$
Our function become $$\frac{x^3}{2}+1-4x$$
If we derivate the function we get $$\frac{3x^2}{2}-4$$
Now we want to find critical point $$\frac{3x^2}{2}-4=0$$
So I factor out $$\frac{1}{2}$$ and get $$\frac{1}{2}(3x^2-8)=0$$ and our critical point are: $$x_1:\sqrt{\frac{8}{3}}$$ and $$x_2:-\sqrt{\frac{8}{3}}$$ but our $$x_2$$ does not fit our domain so we shall ignore it. I am correct so far? What shall I do next?
 
Hi Petrus. It looks pretty good to me, but also hope someone else checks for any errors. What you should do now is plug in a bunch of stuff into the original f(x). When you have a restricted domain and you're trying to find minimums and maximums you should also test out:

1) Critical points
2) End points of the domain

So in this case you found just one critical point, $$x=\sqrt{\frac{8}{3}}$$. Find the following values and then determine where you have a maximum and minimum. $$f \left( \sqrt{\frac{8}{3}} \right), \hspace{1 mm} f(0), \hspace{1 mm} f \left( \frac{1}{4} \right), \hspace{1 mm} f(2)$$
 
Hello,
Thanks ZaidAlyafey and Jameson for the help! I did correct answer!:)(Bow)(Dance)
after input all those point into orginal function and look for highest value ( not wealth :P) and lowest value, I get the answer
max: $$\frac{1}{128}$$
min: $$1-\frac{16\sqrt{\frac{2}{3}}}{3}$$
edit: what does $$\,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\,$$ means in words?
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Cool :) So you're saying you've confirmed that you have found the correct answer?
 
  • #11
Jameson said:
Cool :) So you're saying you've confirmed that you have found the correct answer?
Hello Jameson
Indeed I did thanks to you and ZaidAlyafey ( problem we get is online problem that means we put in our answer and it give us 'correct' or 'wrong' and I got 'correct') I also edit my early post if anyone could tell me what $$\,\,\, \,\,\,\forall \,\,\,$$ that means in words :)
 
  • #12
Great! I'm going to mark this thread [SOLVED] then.

$\forall$ means "for all" or "for every". Earlier you wrote this:

$$\forall x>\frac{1}{4} \left(\frac{1}{4},2 \right)$$

which is a bit confusing. I think I know what you meant though and in my opinion it's better and more conventional to write it like this:

i) $$\forall x \in \left[ \frac{1}{4},2 \right] $$ or

ii) $$x \mid \frac{1}{4}\le x \le 2$$
 

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