Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Definition
A relative minimum is a point on a graph where the function reaches its lowest value within a specific interval. It is lower than all nearby points but may not be the absolute lowest point on the entire graph.
A local minimum refers to the lowest point within a small neighborhood around it, which may or may not be lower than other points outside that neighborhood.