Find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of f on the given interval. f(x) = ln(x2 + 2x + 4), [−2, 2] step 1 the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of the function f occur either at a critical number or at an endpoint of the interval. recall that a critical number is a value of x where f '(x) = 0 or where f '(x) doesn't exist. we begin by finding the critical numbers. f '(x) =