The minimum value of the function $f(x) = x^3 – 3x^2 – 24x + 100$ in the interval $[-3, 3]$ is $16$.
To find the minimum value, we can use the following steps:
- Find the derivative of $f$, i.e. $f'(x)$.
- Set $f'(x) = 0$ and solve for $x$.
- Evaluate $f(x)$ at the critical points found in step 2 and at the endpoints of the interval, i.e. $x = -3$ and $x = 3$.
- The minimum value is the smallest value among the values found in step 3.
In this case, we have:
$$f'(x) = 3x^2 – 6x – 24 = (x – 4)(3x + 6)$$
Solving $f'(x) = 0$, we get $x = 4$ or $x = -6$.
Evaluating $f(x)$ at the critical points and at the endpoints of the interval, we get:
$$f(-3) = 27 – 27 – 72 + 100 = 16$$
$$f(-6) = -216 – 108 – 144 + 100 = -162$$
$$f(4) = 64 – 48 – 96 + 100 = 16$$
$$f(3) = 27 – 27 – 72 + 100 = 16$$
Therefore, the minimum value of $f(x)$ in the interval $[-3, 3]$ is $16$.