Concept:
• To find the absolute minimum in a closed interval, we must check the functional values at the critical points and the endpoints.
• Critical points are where \( f'(x) = 0 \).
Step 1: Find the critical points by differentiating \( f(x) \)
\[ f(x) = (x - 2)^2 + 5 \]
\[ f'(x) = 2(x - 2) \]
Setting \( f'(x) = 0 \):
\[ 2(x - 2) = 0 \Rightarrow x = 2 \]
The critical point \( x = 2 \) is within the given interval \( [-3, 2] \).
Step 2: Calculate the functional values at critical points and endpoints
The endpoints are \( x = -3 \) and \( x = 2 \).
At \( x = -3 \):
\[ f(-3) = (-3 - 2)^2 + 5 = (-5)^2 + 5 = 25 + 5 = 30 \]
At \( x = 2 \) (which is both a critical point and an endpoint):
\[ f(2) = (2 - 2)^2 + 5 = 0^2 + 5 = 5 \]
Step 3: Identify the absolute minimum value
Comparing the values:
Values are \( \{30, 5\} \).
The smallest value is \( 5 \).
So, the absolute minimum value is \( 5 \), matching option (C).