Calculus – Global Maxima and Minima of $f(x)=(e^x+e^{-x})/2$

calculusderivatives

This question is from my textbook, and I am having trouble solving this.
I am asked to find the global maxima and minima of the function $$f(x)= \frac{e^x+e^{-x}}{2}$$ for $x \in [-\ln(2),\ln(7)]$
My attempt: $$f'(x)=\frac{e^x-e^{-x}}{2}$$
Then I equated the equation to $0$, which gives
$$e^x-e^{-x}=0$$
$$\implies t^2-1=0, t=e^x$$
$$\implies t= +1 /-1$$
$$e^x=+1 \implies x=0, e^{-x}=-1 \implies x \notin \mathbb{R}$$
This question was a MCQ type, so I did not bother finding out the curvature since the options would help me judge which one is the maxima or the minima, but here only one valid solution comes up, which is the minima according to the options, but how do we calculate the maxima?
Even though I dont think the use of higher mathematics(above than high school level) will be required, but still I would appreciate solutions, using basic calculus taught at the high school level. Any help will be appreciated.

Best Answer

Now that you know $f’(x)$ has a real root which is $x=0$, you can use it to draw the sign scheme of $f’(x)$. More specifically, $f’(x)>0$ is when $x>0$ and $f’(x)<0$ is when $x<0$. This means $f(x)$ is a monotone increasing function on $(0,\infty)$ and monotone decreasing on $(-\infty,0)$. This means that in the given interval of $x$, the minimum can occur at $x=0$, and maximum either at $x=\ln(7)$ or $x=-\ln(2)$. Checking both these possibilities we conclude that $$\min_{x=0} f(x)=1$$ $$\max_{x=\ln 7} f(x)=\frac{25}{7}$$