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GCE AS Level Differentiation Increasing and Decreasing Functions

This document is all about differentiation and even has examples

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Muhammad Waqar
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11 views4 pages

GCE AS Level Differentiation Increasing and Decreasing Functions

This document is all about differentiation and even has examples

Uploaded by

Muhammad Waqar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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GCE A Level Maths 9709

SMIYL
April 2023

1.7 Differentiation
In this topic we will learn how to:
• apply differentiation to increasing and decreasing functions
Increasing and Decreasing Functions

An increasing function is one whose gradient is always positive. In


dy
other words dx > 0. A decreasing function is one whose gradient is
dy
always negative. In other words dx < 0.

To determine whether a function is an increasing or decreasing func-


tion, we need to find the gradient function first. So we differentiate
the original equation. Based on the gradient function we can deter-
dy dy
mine whether dx > 0 or dx < 0. Once we know that, we can decide
whether it is an increasing or decreasing function.

Let’s look at some past paper questions on increasing and decreasing


functions.
1
1. The function f is defined by f (x) = 3x+2 + x2 for x < −1. Deter-
mine whether f is an increasing function, a decreasing function or neither.
(9709/12/F/M/20 number 10)
1
f (x) = + x2
3x + 2

Bring the denominator up to the numerator in the fraction, using


law of indices,
f (x) = (3x + 2)−1 + x2

Differentiate f (x),

f ′ (x) = −3(3x + 2)−2 + 2x

1
Note: If you’re not able to use the shortcut of the chain rule
that allows you to differentiate by sight, it is still fine to use the
chain rule.

Rewrite the differential but with positive indices,


−3
f ′ (x) = + 2x
(3x + 2)2

If you look at the first term, you will notice that for all values of
x, the denominator is will always be positive, since it is squared.
So the first term will always be negative (since numerator is
negative). The second term will always be negative since the
domain of the function is x < −1. This means that our gradient
will always be negative for x < −1,

f ′ (x) < 0

Therefore, the final answer is,

f (x) is a decreasing function.

2. The function f is defined by f (x) = x5 − 10x3 + 50x for x ∈ R. Given


that 5y 2 − 30y + 50 can be expressed in the form 5(y − 3)2 + 5, determine
whether f is an increasing function, a decreasing function, or neither.
(9709/13/O/N/21 number 3)

f (x) = x5 − 10x3 + 50x

Let’s start by differentiating f ,

f ′ (x) = 5x4 − 30x3 + 50

Let’s compare the given equation to our differential,

5y 2 − 30y + 50

5x4 − 30x3 + 50

You will notice that our differential is very similar to the given
equation,
5y 2 − 30y + 50
2
5 x2 − 30x x2 + 50


2
Therefore, we can rewrite our differential as,

5(x2 )2 − 30x x2 + 50


5(x2 − 3)2 + 5

Therefore, our differential is,

f ′ (x) = 5(x2 − 3)2 + 5

If you analyse the differential, you will notice that, the first term
is squared so it will always be positive for all values of x and the
second term is positive. Therefore, our gradient function will
always be positive,
f ′ (x) > 0

Therefore, the final answer is,

f (x) is an increasing function.


3
3. The function f is defined by f (x) = 31 (2x − 1) 2 − 2x for 12 < x < a. It is
given that f is a decreasing function. Find the maximum possible value
of the constant a. (9709/13/M/J/21 number 2)
1 3
f (x) = (2x − 1) 2 − 2x
3

We are given that f is a decreasing function, therefore,

f ′ (x) < 0

Let’s find the differential of f ,


  
′ 3 1 1
f (x) = (2) (2x − 1) 2 − 2
2 3
1
f ′ (x) = (2x − 1) 2 − 2

Let’s use the idea that f ′ (x) < 0,


1
(2x − 1) 2 − 2 < 0

Solve for x,
1
(2x − 1) 2 − 2 < 0
1
(2x − 1) 2 < 2

3
Square both sides,
2x − 1 < 4

Make x the subject of the formula,

2x < 5
5
x<
2

Therefore, the maximum possible value of a is,


5
a=
2

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