another algebra question...what is a minimum in algebra?

Question

who ever explains it the best....gets the full points

and maximum

Answer 1

A minimum is the lowest value a function reaches, between two given boundaries.

For example, if the function is
f(x) = x^2
which is a concave-up parabola centered on the origin. If you try plugging in all possible values of x from -infinity to +infinity, the lowest value of f(x) will be zero. Hence zero is the minimum of f(x).

If the function is
f(x) = cos(x)
and you plug in all possible values of x from -infinity to +infinity, the lowest value of f(x) will be -1. So, the minimum of f(x) is -1.

For maximum, you just look for the largest value that f(x) reaches. If f(x) = x^2, the maximum is infinity, since f(x) = infinity when x = infinity. If f(x) = cos(x), the maximum is 1, since the cosine function never goes above 1.

Answer 2

there is no symbol for minimum in algebra
In calculus there is a term of discussion about minimum.
the zero slope or the derivative is the minimum or maximum point.