The absolute minimum of a function is the smallest value that the function attains over its entire domain. It is also known as the global minimum.
Critical Point: A point on a graph where the derivative is zero or undefined; potential location for local or absolute extrema.
First Derivative Test: A method used to determine whether a critical point is a local maximum, local minimum, or neither by analyzing changes in sign of the derivative.
Extreme Value Theorem: $\text{If } f \text{ is continuous on } [a, b], \text{ then } f \text{ must attain both an absolute maximum and an absolute minimum on } [a, b].$