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Compactness and connectedness

The two properties that make theorems work: extreme values and intermediate values.

Compact (on the line: closed and bounded) guarantees a maximum is attained; connected guarantees the intermediate value theorem. Picture it: a closed interval versus an open one. The function 1/x has no maximum on (0, 1]. Think it: both are defined by open covers and separations, so they transfer to any space.

Worked example · critical points of x^3 - 3x

Calculus · Extrema

Critical points of x^3 - 3x

x^{3} - 3 x

Step by step

  1. f(x) = x^{3} - 3 x

    Critical points are where f′(x) = 0 or is undefined.

  2. f'(x) = 3 x^{2} - 3

    Differentiate.

  3. x = -1, x = 1

    Solve f′(x) = 0.

  4. f''(x) = 6 x

    Second-derivative test: f″ < 0 → maximum, f″ > 0 → minimum.

  5. f''(-1) = -6 \Rightarrow (-1, 2) \text{ is a local maximum}

  6. f''(1) = 6 \Rightarrow (1, -2) \text{ is a local minimum}

Reveal the answer
(-1, 2)\ \text{local maximum},\; (1, -2)\ \text{local minimum}

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How to: Compactness and connectedness

  1. Critical points are where f′(x) = 0 or is undefined.
  2. Differentiate.
  3. Solve f′(x) = 0.
  4. Second-derivative test: f″ < 0 → maximum, f″ > 0 → minimum.

Questions people ask

Why "a doughnut is a coffee cup"?

Each can be deformed into the other without cutting or gluing: one hole each. Topology studies exactly the properties such deformations preserve.

What is compactness for?

It is the property that makes "every sequence has a convergent subsequence" and "continuous functions attain their maximum" true. On the real line it means closed and bounded.

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