Best way to find local minimum and maximum (where derivatives = 0) without using toolboxes?

Hi,

I want to find the local maximums and minimums of a data set. I do not have any toolbox. Is there any way to do that except comparing every value with the next and previous values?

Thanks.

[Alasdair Gerrard]

Is your data in an array? If so you can use max('your data') and min('your data'). Or are you interested in the rate of change max and min (i.e. where the derivatives are 0)?

[Shar]

Yes, I do not want only one max and one min I want the to know where the derivatives are 0.

Answer 1

[KSSV]

YOu can use min and max. Also you can sort the array using sort either ascending or descending and pick either first or last respectively.

[Shar]

I do not want only one max and one min I want the to know where the derivatives are 0.

[KSSV]

Use diff(y)./diff(x) to get the derivatives and see where they are zero.

Answer 2

[Andreas Goser]

It very much depends on the nature of your signal. Assuming this is measured data, you might want to filter noise first. There are multiple ways to do so. Then, the signal might have only very few local maxima or many. Depending on this and the topology, you might want to do some curve fitting first. Making a calculation with "derivatives being 0" - also very tricky. E.g. in a 12V signal and 1Hz frequency, is an increase from 7.9 Volt to 8.0 V a relevant increase, or pretty much flat for you. This means you would not compare with differences of exact zero, but within a bandwidth.

Saying all that, a lot of smartness is in the toolboxes for that purpose. Consider using them and not re-invent the wheel.

[Shar]

That is correct! How can I do it?

[Andreas Goser]

Which of all my points? :-D