Decreasing/increasing

functions
 Differentiation
You can use the derivative to y
determine whether a function is
increasing or decreasing in a given
interval.
This function
is increasing x
An increasing function is one with a for all values
positive gradient. of x

A decreasing function is one with a

negative gradient. y

This function
is decreasing x
for all values
of x

12G
 Differentiation
You can use the derivative to y
determine whether a function is
increasing or decreasing in a given
interval.

x
An increasing function is one with a
positive gradient.

A decreasing function is one with a

negative gradient.
Some functions are increasing in
one interval and decreasing in
another.
This function is
decreasing for x > 0,
and increasing for x < 0
At x = 0, the gradient is
0. This is known as a
stationary point.

12G
 Differentiation
You can use the derivative to Example Question
determine whether a function is
increasing or decreasing in a given Show that the function ;
interval.
f ( x)  x 3  24 x  3
is an increasing function.
An increasing function is one with a
positive gradient.
f ( x)  x 3  24 x  3 Differentiate to
get the gradient
A decreasing function is one with a
negative gradient. f '( x)  3x 2  24 function

Some functions are increasing in  Since x2 has to be positive, 3x2 + 24

one interval and decreasing in will be as well
another.
 So the gradient will always be
positive, hence an increasing function
You need to be able to work out
ranges of values where a function is
increasing or decreasing..

12G
 Differentiation
You can use the derivative to
determine whether a function is
increasing or decreasing in a given
interval.
An increasing function is one with a
positive gradient.
A decreasing function is one with a
negative gradient.
Some functions are increasing in
one interval and decreasing in
another.
You need to be able to work out
ranges of values where a function is
increasing or decreasing..
Example Question
Find the range of values where:
f ( x)  x 3  3x 2  9 x
is an decreasing function.
f ( x)  x 3  3x 2  9 x Differentiate for the
gradient function
f '( x)  3x 2  6x  9 We want the gradient
to be below 0
3x 2  6 x  9  0
Factorise
3( x  2 x  3)  0
2
Factorise again
3( x  3)( x  1)  0 Roots are x = -3 and 1
BUT, we want values that
x  3 OR x  1 will make the function
negative (you can sketch
3  x  1 the graph to help with
this)
12G
 Differentiation
You can use the derivative to Example Question
determine whether a function is
increasing or decreasing in a given Find the range of values where:
interval. f ( x)  x 3  3x 2  9 x
y is an decreasing function.
f(x)
f ( x)  x 3  3x 2  9 x Differentiate for the
gradient function
f '( x)  3x 2  6x  9 We want the gradient
to be below 0
3x 2  6 x  9  0
x Factorise
3( x  2 x  3)  0
2

Factorise again
3( x  3)( x  1)  0 Roots are x = -3 and 1

-3 1 x  3 OR x  1
BUT, we want values that
will make the function
negative (you can sketch

Decreasing Function range 3  x  1 the graph to help with

this)

12G
Examples
Show that the function Find the interval on which the
is increasing for all real values function is decreasing.
of .

So is decreasing in the interval

for all real ,
for all real
? for all .
is an increasing function ?
Test Your Understanding
Show that the function Find the interval on which the
is increasing for all real values function is decreasing.
of .

for all real

for all real . So is decreasing in the interval
Therefore is an increasing
? .
function for all real ?