JEE Main: Absolute Maximum & Minimum on Interval — Smart Method 💡
❓ Question Let f ( x ) = x 3 + a x 2 + b log e ∣ x ∣ + 1 , x ≠ 0 f(x) = x^3 + ax^2 + b\log_e|x| + 1,\quad x \ne 0 Given that x = − 1 and x = 2 x = -1 \text{ and } x = 2 are the critical points of f ( x ) f(x) . Let m m and M M respectively be the absolute minimum and absolute maximum values of f ( x ) f(x) in the interval [ − 2 , − 1 2 ] . Find: ∣ M + m ∣ 🖼️ Question Image ✍️ Short Solution Critical points are obtained from f ′ ( x ) = 0 We’ll first find constants a a and b b , then evaluate f ( x ) f(x) at endpoints and critical points inside the interval to get absolute max and min. 🔹 Step 1 — Find the derivative f ( x ) = x 3 + a x 2 + b ln ∣ x ∣ + 1 f(x) = x^3 + ax^2 + b\ln|x| + 1 Differentiate: f ′ ( x ) = 3 x 2 + 2 a x + b x f'(x) = 3x^2 + 2ax + \frac{b}{x} 🔹 Step 2 — Use critical points Given critical points: x = − 1 , x = 2 x = -1,\quad x = 2 So, f ′ ( − 1 ) = 0 , f ′ ( 2 ) = 0 f'(-1) = 0,\quad f'(...