Thread: Generic Max/Min process

Let me say first that I know this probably sounds like a weird question

If I want to find the absolute Max or Min of a function on the interval -infinity to infinity, is there a generic process I could use that applies to all equations (possibly using calculus) or is it special to each type of function?

For just about any function, the global maximum or minimum will either be where the derivative or gradient vector is 0, or at an end point.

Is there a way to test to see if a function increases without bound forever, as opposed to for example increasing until a very high value and then flatlining?

Yes, you can analyse the derivative.

OK, thank you! Im a little fuzzy on calc, so I wasn't sure.