Elementary Techniques in Maxima and Minima

Abstract

The application of the first derivative in the solution of maxima minima problems is an important topic in a first course in calculus. It is interesting to note that many of the standard textbook problems of this type can be solved without the use of the calculus and require only a knowledge of the mathematics customarily taught in the secondary schools. Whereas the calculus approach is usually quite straightforward, the elementary techniques which are effective vary considerably, some being trivial in nature and others requiring a certain amount of ingenuity.