1.

5 PROPERTIES OF FUNCTIONS
When is a function increasing, decreasing, or constant?

f(x)

4
Local Maximum
3 f(5)=3
f(x) is constant f(x) is increasing for
for 2 2<x<4 because 2<4
-4<x<-2 and f(2) < f(4)
1
because
f(-4) = f(-2)
0
-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-1
f(x) is decreasing for
-2<x<2 because-2 -2<2
and f(-2) > f(2)
Local Minimum f(2)= -2
-3

A function f is increasing on a open interval I if, for any choice of x1 and x2 in I,

with x1 < x2, we have f(x1)< f(x2).

A function f is decreasing on a open interval I if, for any choice of x1 and x2 in I,

with x1 < x2, we have f(x1)> f(x2).

A function f is constant on a open interval I if, for any choice of x1 and x2 in I, we

have f(x1)= f(x2). (The values f(x) are equal for all choices of x in I.)

A function f has a local minimum of f at x=c if there is an open interval I containing

c so that for all x ≠ c in I, f(x) > f(c). We call f(c) a local maximum of f.

A function f has a local maximum of f at x=c if there is an open interval I

containing c so that for all x ≠ c in I, f(x) < f(c). We call f(c) a local maximum of f.

These are called “local” because there may be other points outside of the interval I
that are less than the local minimum or greater than the local maximum.
 Example 2 p.54
f(x)

0
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
-1

a) At what number(s) does f have a local maximum?

There is an interval -1<x<3 where all f(x) are less than f(1), so f has a local
maximum at 1.
b) What are the local maxima? The local maximum is f(1) = 2.
c) At what number(s) does f have a local minimum?
There are two intervals with local mimimums. The interval x<1 has a local
minimum at x=-1 and the interval x>1 has a local mimum at x=2.

d) What are the local minima? The local minima ar f(-1) = 1 and f(3)=0.
e) List the intervals on which f is increasing and on which f is decreasing.
f is increasing at -1<x<1 and at x>3 Æ(-1,1) and (3, ∞ )
f is decreasing at x<-1 and at 1<x<3 Æ(− ∞,−1) and (1,3)

NO DO PROBLEMS 21 and 23 on p.61

Example 3 on p.54 Using a graphing utility

a) Use a graphing utility to graph f(x) = 6x3 -12x + 5 for -2<x<2 to approximate the
local maximum
Start off with setting the standard viewing window.
ZOOM , then select 6:ZStandard
Then press WINDOW and modify the viewing window so that Xmin=-2 and Xmax =2
Press Y=, then fill in with the function 6X^3-12X+5, then press GRAPH
You will be able to see the function better by fitting the window using Zoomfit
Press ZOOM, then select 0:ZoomFit
To calculate the maximum, press 2nd [CALC], then select 4:maximum
It wants to know the interval that you are searching for a local maximum for. Choose a
leftbound and and right bound. You can type a value directly in the calculator or use
the arrow buttons to surround the “protrusion” where the local maximum is. The
“Guess?” is any point within the interval you have defined.
You should get x=-.816498 y=11.531973
Let x = -.82, f(-.82) = 11.532 = local maximum
To calculate the minimum, press 2nd [CALC], then select 3:minimum and follow the
same instructions as above, except now you are looking for an “intrusion” where the
local minimum is.
You should get x=.816498 y=-1.531973
If you use the TABLE to show how f is increasing up to the point when x=-.82 and then
decreases after that until you get to x=.82, at which point it increases again.
Press 2nd [TBLSET]
Let’s choose TblStart = -1 and ∆Tbl = .02. Select Auto for both Independent and
Dependent Variables then press 2nd [TABLE]
Even and Odd Functions

A function that is symmetric with the y-axis is called even.

In other words, a function f is even if for every number x in its domain the number –x is
also in the domain and f(-x) = f(x)

A function that is symmetric with the origin is called odd.

In other words, a function f is odd if for every number x in its domain the number –x is
also in the domain and f(-x) = -f(x).

Note a function symmetric with the x-axis is not odd. In fact, a function symmetric with
the x-axis is not a function of x at all, because it does not pass the vertical line test.

Always verify your conjectures about functions with the definitions that f(-x) = f(x) for
even functions and f(x)= -f(x) for odd functions.

Example 5 on p. 56
Use a graphing utility to conjecture whether the following functions are even, odd, or
neither. State symmetry.

a) f(x) = x2-5
Check if even: f(-x) = f(x) ?
(-x)2 – 5 = x2 -5 yes
Since it is an even function, it is symmetric with respect to the y-axis.

NOW YOU DO #37

 LIBRARY OF FUNCTIONS
Linear Function: f(x) = mx + b where m and b are real numbers.
This is a nonvertical line with slope m and y-intercept b. Function is always
increasing if m>0 and always decreasing if m<0.
Domain is all real numbers, Range is all real numbers.

Constant Function: f(x) = b where b is a real number.

This is a horizontal line going through the y-intercept=b.
Domain is all real numbers. Range is the single number, b.

Identity Function: f(x) = x

This is a line with slope = 1 and y-intercept = 0. Function is always increasing.
Domain is all real numbers. Range is all real numbers.

Square Function: f(x) = x2

This is an upward parabola with vertex at the origin. It is an even function which is
decreasing for the interval (− ∞,0) and increasing on the interval (0, ∞ )
Domain is all real numbesrs. Range is {y|y>0}

Cube Function: f(x) = x3

This is an odd function whose y-intercept is at (0,0). Function is always increasing.
Domain is all real numbers.
Range is all real numbers.

Square Root Function:

f ( x) = x
This is a function that is increasing on the interval x> 0.
Domain is {x|x>0}
Range is {y|y>0}

Reciprocal Function: f(x) = 1/x

This is an odd function with no intercepts. The function is undefined at x=0 and is
decreasing on the intervals (− ∞,0) and (0, ∞ )
Domain is {x|x≠0}
Range is {y|y≠0}

Absolute Value Function: f(x) = |x|

This function is the line f(x) = -x for x < 0 and then changes to f(x) = x for x > 0.
This is an even function that is decreasing for x<0 and increasing for x>0.
Domain is all real numbers.
Range is {y|y > 0}
 HOMEWORK

p. 51 #1-7,15-24,29,33,39,51,
Extra Credit 5 pts on Test 1 - #62*
* for (b) Use TABLE function in calculator for #62, where h will be your x
value and x=1, f(h) is your answer to (a) when x=1.