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Maximum and minimum

Largest and smallest value taken by a function takes at a given point / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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In mathematical analysis, the maximum (PL: maxima or maximums) and minimum (PL: minima or minimums) of a function, known generically as extremum (PL: extrema), are the largest and smallest value of the function, either within a given range (the local or relative extrema), or on the entire domain (the global or absolute extrema).[1][2][3] Pierre de Fermat was one of the first mathematicians to propose a general technique, adequality, for finding the maxima and minima of functions.

Extrema_example_original.svg
Local and global maxima and minima for cos(3πx)/x, 0.1 x 1.1

As defined in set theory, the maximum and minimum of a set are the greatest and least elements in the set, respectively. Unbounded infinite sets, such as the set of real numbers, have no minimum or maximum.