Related Formula
Critical points occur where f'(x) = 0$f'(x) = 0$.
For absolute maximum and minimum on an interval [c, d]$[c, d]$, evaluate function values at the boundaries and at any local critical points falling inside the domain.
Core Logic
Given f(x) = x³ + ax² + bln|x| + 1$f(x) = x^3 + ax^2 + b\ln|x| + 1$
Differentiating with respect to x$x$:
f'(x) = 3x² + 2ax + (b)/(x)$$f'(x) = 3x^2 + 2ax + \frac{b}{x}$$
Since x = -1$x = -1$ and x = 2$x = 2$ are critical points:
f'(-1) = 3(-1)² + 2a(-1) + (b)/(-1) = 3 - 2a - b = 0 2a + b = 3$$f'(-1) = 3(-1)^2 + 2a(-1) + \frac{b}{-1} = 3 - 2a - b = 0 \implies 2a + b = 3$$
f'(2) = 3(2)² + 2a(2) + (b)/(2) = 12 + 4a + (b)/(2) = 0 8a + b = -24$$f'(2) = 3(2)^2 + 2a(2) + \frac{b}{2} = 12 + 4a + \frac{b}{2} = 0 \implies 8a + b = -24$$
Step 1: Solve for Coefficients
Subtracting the first simplified derivative equation from the second:
(8a + b) - (2a + b) = -24 - 3$$(8a + b) - (2a + b) = -24 - 3$$
6a = -27 a = -(9)/(2)$$6a = -27 \implies a = -\frac{9}{2}$$
Substituting a$a$ back to get b$b$:
2(-(9)/(2)) + b = 3 -9 + b = 3 b = 12$$2\left(-\frac{9}{2}\right) + b = 3 \implies -9 + b = 3 \implies b = 12$$
Thus, the function is:
f(x) = x³ - (9)/(2)x² + 12ln|x| + 1$$f(x) = x^3 - \frac{9}{2}x^2 + 12\ln|x| + 1$$
Step 2: Check Critical Points in Target Interval
The given interval is [-2, -1/2]$[-2, -1/2]$.
Inside this interval, the relevant critical point is x = -1$x = -1$ (since x = 2$x = 2$ lies outside).
Evaluate the function values at x = -2, -1, -1/2$x = -2, -1, -1/2$:
f(-1) = (-1)³ - (9)/(2)(-1)² + 12ln|-1| + 1 = -1 - 4.5 + 0 + 1 = -4.5$$f(-1) = (-1)^3 - \frac{9}{2}(-1)^2 + 12\ln|-1| + 1 = -1 - 4.5 + 0 + 1 = -4.5$$
f(-2) = (-2)³ - (9)/(2)(-2)² + 12ln|-2| + 1 = -8 - 18 + 12(0.7) + 1 = -25 + 8.4 = -16.6$$f(-2) = (-2)^3 - \frac{9}{2}(-2)^2 + 12\ln|-2| + 1 = -8 - 18 + 12(0.7) + 1 = -25 + 8.4 = -16.6$$
f(-1/2) = (-(1)/(2))³ - (9)/(2)(-(1)/(2))² + 12ln|-(1)/(2)| + 1 = -0.125 - 1.125 - 12(0.7) + 1 = -1.25 - 8.4 + 1 = -8.65$$f(-1/2) = \left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)^3 - \frac{9}{2}\left(-\frac{1}{2}\right)^2 + 12\ln\left|-\frac{1}{2}\right| + 1 = -0.125 - 1.125 - 12(0.7) + 1 = -1.25 - 8.4 + 1 = -8.65$$
Step 3: Calculate Absolute Sum
Comparing the calculated values:
M = Absolute Maximum = -4.5 (at x = -1)$$M = \text{Absolute Maximum} = -4.5 \quad (\text{at } x = -1)$$
m = Absolute Minimum = -16.6 (at x = -2)$$m = \text{Absolute Minimum} = -16.6 \quad (\text{at } x = -2)$$
Therefore:
|M + m| = |-4.5 + (-16.6)| = |-21.1| = 21.1$$|M + m| = |-4.5 + (-16.6)| = |-21.1| = 21.1$$
Pattern Recognition
Always verify whether the critical points lie inside the requested boundary interval before blindly testing all values. Here, x=2$x=2$ was an irrelevant trap for the interval valuation phase.
Chapter Mix
Class 12 Mathematics: Application of Derivatives