Find the absolute minimum and absolute maximum values of f on the given interval 281 81 81 Step 1 The absolute maximum and minimum values occur either at a critical point inside the interval or at an endpoint of the interval Recall that a critical point a point where f x 0 We begin by finding the critical points x2 81 2x x 81 x 81 f x f x Step 2 After simplifying we have f x x 81 x 81 7 2x