Problem: Let f(x)=4sin4x−sin2xcos2x+4cos4x for any x∈R. Let M and m be the maximum and minimum values of f, respectively. Find the product of M and m.
Solution
Solution: Let us simplify the expression inside the square root:
Let s=sin2x, c=cos2x. Then s+c=1.
4sin4x+4cos4x=4(s2+c2)
But s2+c2=(s+c)2−2sc=1−2sc
So 4(s2+c2)=4(1−2sc)=4−8sc
Also, −sin2xcos2x=−sc
So the expression inside the square root is:
4−8sc−sc=4−9sc
Therefore,
f(x)=4−9sin2xcos2x
Recall that sin2xcos2x=(sinxcosx)2=(2sin2x)2=4sin22x
So 9sin2xcos2x=9⋅4sin22x=49sin22x
Thus,
f(x)=4−49sin22x=416−9sin22x=216−9sin22x
Now, sin22x ranges from 0 to 1.
So 16−9sin22x ranges from 16 (when sin22x=0) to 7 (when sin22x=1).
Therefore, the maximum value of f(x) is when sin22x=0:
M=216=24=2
The minimum value is when sin22x=1:
m=27
Therefore, the product M⋅m=2⋅27=7
Answer:7
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