Increasing and Decreasing
Functions
The Ups and Downs
Think of a function as a roller coaster going
from left to right
Uphill
Slope > 0
Increasing
function
Downhill
Slope < 0
Decreasing function
2
Definitions
Given function f defined on an interval
For any two numbers x1 and x2 on the interval
Increasing function
f(x1) < f(x2) when x1 < x2
Decreasing function
X1
X2
X1
f(x1) > f(x2) when x1< x2
X2
f(x)
Increasing/Decreasing and the
Derivative
Assuming existence of derivative on
interval
If f '(x) > 0 for each x
f(x) increasing on
interval
If f '(x) < 0 for each x
f(x) decreasing on
interval
What
Whatififf f'(x)
'(x)==00on
onthe
theinterval?
interval?
What
Whatcould
couldyou
yousay
sayabout
aboutf(x)?
f(x)?
4
Applying Derivative Test
Given a function f(x)
Determine the derivative f '(x)
Find critical points
Where f '(x) = 0 or f '(x) does not exist
Evaluate derivative between or on either
side of the critical points
Try it with this function
2 3
f ( x) x x 2 4 x 2
3
5
Critical Numbers
The critical numbers for a function f are
those numbers c in the domain of f for which
f (c ) = 0 or f(c ) does not exist.
A critical point is a point whose xcoordinate is the critical number c, and
whose y-coordinate is f ( c).
Check These Functions
Determine the intervals where these
functions are
Increasing
Decreasing
2 3
f ( x) x x 2 4 x 2
3
x3
f ( x)
x4
7
Applications
Digitari, the great video game
manufacturer determines its
cost and revenue functions
C(x) = 4.8x - .0004x2
R(x) = 8.4x - .002x2
0 x 2250
0 x 2250
Determine the interval(s) on which the
profit function is increasing
Find the intervals in which the
following functions are
increasing or decreasing.
1.
2.
3.
f(x) = x3 + 3x2 9x + 4
f(x) = x4 + 4x3 + 4x2 + 1
F(x) = 3x4 + 8x3 18x2 + 5