Worksheet: Increasing, Decreasing, and
Constant Functions, Relative and
absolute max and min.
Objective:
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. Identify the intervals on which a function is increasing, decreasing, or constant from a
graph.
2. Understand and identify relative maximum, relative minimum, absolute maximum, and
absolute minimum points from a graph.
Part 1: Increasing, Decreasing, and Constant Intervals
1. Definitions:
• Increasing Interval: A function is increasing on an interval if, as x increases, f(x) (the y-
value) also increases.
• Decreasing Interval: A function is decreasing on an interval if, as x increases, f(x)
decreases.
• Constant Interval: A function is constant on an interval if, as x increases, f(x) stays the
same (does not increase or decrease).
2. How to Identify Intervals:
Look at the graph of a function and focus on its behavior as you move from left to right
along the x-axis.
• If the graph moves upwards, the function is increasing.
• If the graph moves downwards, the function is decreasing.
• If the graph stays flat, the function is constant.
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Example 1: Identify Increasing, Decreasing, and Constant Intervals
Insert a graph here where the function shows increasing, decreasing, and constant intervals.
For example:
• Increasing on: (2, 4)
• Decreasing on: (0, 1)U(4,6)
• Constant on: (1, 2)
Part 2: Relative Maximum and Minimum
1. Definitions:
• Relative Maximum: A point where the function changes from increasing to decreasing. It
represents the "peak" in a local region of the graph.
• Relative Minimum: A point where the function changes from decreasing to increasing. It
represents the "valley" in a local region of the graph.
2. How to Identify from a Graph:
• A relative maximum is the highest point in a small section of the graph.
• A relative minimum is the lowest point in a small section of the graph.
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Example 2: Identify Relative Maximum and Minimum Points
Insert a graph here showing relative maximum and minimum points.
For example:
• The relative maximum occurs at x = 1 where the maximum is 2.
• The relative minimum occurs at x = -1 where the minimum is -2.
Part 3: Absolute Maximum and Minimum
1. Definitions:
• Absolute Maximum: The highest point on the entire graph. It is the greatest f(x) value over
the domain of the function.
• Absolute Minimum: The lowest point on the entire graph. It is the smallest f(x) value over
the domain of the function.
2. How to Identify from a Graph:
• Find the overall highest and lowest points on the graph by examining the full range of the
graph.
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Example 3: Identify Absolute Maximum and Minimum Points
Insert a graph here showing absolute maximum and minimum points.
For example:
• The absolute maximum occurs at x = 1.3 where f(x)=2.3.
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• The absolute minimum occurs at x = 2.4 where f(x)=-4.15.
Practice Problems:
1. Look at the graph below and identify the intervals where the function is increasing,
decreasing, and constant.
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2. Look at the graph below and identify the relative maximum and minimum points.
3. Look at the graph below and identify the absolute maximum and minimum points.
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