2.1 Increasing and Decreasing PDF
2.1 Increasing and Decreasing PDF
f (x) = x 4 − 3x 2
Answer choices:
( 2 ) ( 2 )
3 3
B Increasing on − ,0 and ,∞
( 2) ( 2)
3 3
Decreasing on −∞, − and 0,
( 2 )
1
C Increasing on ,0
( 2)
1
Decreasing on −∞, −
411
Decreasing on (− 3,0) and (0, 3 )
Solution: B
f ′(x) = 4x 3 − 6x
4x 3 − 6x = 0
2x (2x 2 − 3) = 0
2x = 0
x=0
or
2x 2 − 3 = 0
2 3
x =
2
3
x=±
2
412
We use these critical numbers to create intervals on which to check the
value of the derivative.
413
Topic: Increasing and decreasing
f (x) = x 2
Answer choices:
414
Solution: C
To find the critical numbers, take the first derivative of the function
f (x) = x 2
f′(x) = 2x
0 = 2x
x=0
f′(−1) = 2(−1)
f′(−1) = − 2
and
f′(1) = 2(1)
f′(1) = 2
The function f (x) = x 2 is increasing when x > 0 and is decreasing when x < 0.
415
Topic: Increasing and decreasing
f (x) = x 4 − 4x 3 + 4x 2 − 7
Answer choices:
416
Solution: B
To find the critical numbers, take the first derivative of the function
f (x) = x 4 − 4x 3 + 4x 2 − 7
f′(x) = 4x 3 − 12x 2 + 8x
f′(x) = 4x (x 2 − 3x + 2)
0 = 4x(x − 2)(x − 1)
x = 0, 1, 2
f′(−1) = − 4 − 12 − 8
f′(−1) = − 24
and
417
(2) (8) (4)
1 1 1
f′ =4 − 12 +4
(2) 2
1 1
f′ = −3+4
(2) 2
1 3
f′ =
and
(2) ( 8) (4)
3 27 9
f′ =4 − 12 + 12
(2)
3 27
f′ = − 27 + 12
2
(2)
3 3
f′ =−
2
and
f′(3) = 24
418
We can see that on the left-hand side of x = 0 the function is negative, so
it’s decreasing. Between x = 0 and x = 1, the function is positive, so it’s
increasing. Between x = 1 and x = 2, the function is negative, so it’s
decreasing. On the right-hand side of x = 2 the function is positive, so it’s
increasing.
419