The graph of f ′ (x), the derivative of f of x, is continuous for all x and consists of five line segments as shown below. Given f (0) = 7, find the absolute minimum value of f (x) over the interval [–3, 0].

0
2.5
4.5
11.5

The graph of f x the derivative of f of x is continuous for all x and consists of five line segments as shown below Given f 0 7 find the absolute minimum value class=

Respuesta :

[tex]f'(x)\ge0[/tex] for all [tex]x[/tex] in [-3, 0], so [tex]f(x)[/tex] is non-decreasing over this interval, and in particular we know right away that its minimum value must occur at [tex]x=-3[/tex].

From the plot, it's clear that on [-3, 0] we have [tex]f'(x)=-x[/tex]. So

[tex]f(x)=\displaystyle\int(-x)\,\mathrm dx=-\dfrac{x^2}2+C[/tex]

for some constant [tex]C[/tex]. Given that [tex]f(0)=7[/tex], we find that

[tex]7=-\dfrac{0^2}2+C\implies C=7[/tex]

so that on [-3, 0] we have

[tex]f(x)=-\dfrac{x^2}2+7[/tex]

and

[tex]f(-3)=\dfrac52=2.5[/tex]