Find the critical numbers of the function on the interval 0 ≤ θ < 2π.

f(θ) = 2cos(θ) + (sin(θ))^2

2 answers

Critical point:
A critical point at the interior of the domain of a function is the point where the derivative is zero or undefined.

f(θ) = 2cos(θ) + (sin(θ))^2
does not have any undefined points for θ∈ℝ.
So we only need to find the values of θ which make f'(θ)=0.
Differentiate f(θ) and equate to zero. Solve for all roots for the equation and these are the critical points.

The following graph might help you check you answer:
http://img256.imageshack.us/img256/11/1291497419.png
solve on the interval of 0,2π, cos θ / 3 =-1