# `f(t) = t + cot(t/2), [(pi/4), ((7pi)/4)]` Find the absolute maximum and minimum values of f on the given interval

`f(t)=t+cot(t/2)`

differentiating,

`f'(t)=1-1/2csc^2(t/2)`

Now to find the absolute extrema of the function , that is continuous on a closed interval, we have to find the critical numbers that are in the interval and evaluate the function at the endpoints and at the critical numbers.

Now to find the critical numbers,...

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`f(t)=t+cot(t/2)`

differentiating,

`f'(t)=1-1/2csc^2(t/2)`

Now to find the absolute extrema of the function , that is continuous on a closed interval, we have to find the critical numbers that are in the interval and evaluate the function at the endpoints and at the critical numbers.

Now to find the critical numbers, solve for t for f'(t)=0.

`1-1/2csc^2(t/2)=0`

`csc^2(t/2)=2`

`1/(sin^2(t/2))=2`

`sin^2(t/2)=1/2`

`sin(t/2)=+-1/sqrt(2)`

sin(t/2)=1/`sqrt(2)`   : t=`pi` /2 , 3`pi` /2 in the interval( `pi` /4 , 7`pi` /4)

sin(t/2)=-1/ `sqrt(2)`  : No solution

So the critical numbers are `pi` /2 and 3`pi` /2

Evaluating the function at the critical points and at the end points of the interval,

`f(pi/2)=pi/2+cotpi/4=pi/2+1=2.5708`

`f(3pi/2)=3pi/2+cot(3pi/4)=3pi/2-1=3.712`

`f(pi/4)=pi/4+cot(pi/8)=pi/4+1+sqrt(2)=3.19`

`f((7pi)/4)=(7pi)/4+cot(7pi/8)=(7pi)/4-1-sqrt(2)=3.083`

So the absolute maximum=(3`pi` /2-1) at t=3`pi` /2

and absolute minimum=(`pi` /2+1) at t=`pi` /2

Approved by eNotes Editorial Team