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