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Problem : Determine monotonic nature of function :

f x = π 2 4 x 2

Solution : The domain of derivative, f(x), is not R. We first need to find its domain and then determine sign of its derivative within the domain. The expression in the square root in denominator is non-negative. Hence,

π 2 4 x 2 0 x [ - π 2, π 2 ]

Its first derivative is :

f x = - 2 x 2 π 2 4 x 2 = - x π 2 4 x 2

We know that square root is a positive number. It means that sign of derivative will solely depend on the sign of “x” in the numerator. Clearly, derivative is positive for x<0 and negative for x>0. Derivative is zero at x= 0 i.e. at a single point only. But, function is continuous in the given interval. Hence, we include end points as well :

Strictly increasing interval = [ - π 2 , 0 ] Strictly decreasing interval = [ 0, π 2 ]

Problem : Determine monotonic nature of function :

f x = 2 x 3 + 3 x 2 12 x + 1

Solution : The first derivative of the given polynomial function is :

f x = 2 X 3 x 2 + 3 X 2 x 12 = 6 x 2 + 6 x 12

Clearly, the derivative is a quadratic function. We can determine the sign of the quadratic expression, using sign scheme for quadratic expression. Now, the roots of the corresponding quadratic equation when equated to zero is obtained as :

6 x 2 + 6 x 12 = 0 x 2 + x 2 = 0 x 2 + 2 x x 2 = 0

x x + 2 1 x + 2 = 0 x 1 x + 2 = 0

x = 1, - 2

Here, coefficient of “ x 2 ” is positive. Hence, sign of the middle interval is negative and side intervals are positive.

Intervals

Increasing and decreasing intervals

Since cubic polynomial is a continuous function, we can include end points also in the interval :

Strictly increasing interval = ( - , - 2 ] [ 1, )

Strictly decreasing interval = [ - 2,1 ]

Trigonometric function

Derivative of trigonometric function is also trigonometric function. We can determine nature of derivative in two ways. We use trigonometric values to determine nature of sign of first derivative. For this, we make use of sign and value diagram. Alternatively, we find zeroes of trigonometric function and knowing that some of these functions (sine, cosine etc.) changes sign across x-axis and are continuous functions, we can find sign of derivative as required.

Problem : Determine sub-intervals of [0,π/2] in which given function is (i) strictly increasing and (ii) strictly decreasing.

f x = cos 3 x

Solution : Its first derivative is :

f x = - 3 sin 3 x

Corresponding to given interval [0,π/2], argument to sine function is [0,3π/2]. Sine function is positive in first two quadrants [0, π] and negative in third quadrant [π,3π/2].

Corresponding to these argument values, sin3x is positive in [0,π/3] and negative in [π/3, π/2]of the given interval. But, negative sign precedes 3sin3x. Hence, derivative is negative in [0,π/3] and positive in [π/3, π/2]of the given interval.

Alternatively, we can find zero of sin3x as :

- 3 sin 3 x = 0 sin 3 x = 0 3 x = n π ; n Z x = n π 3 ; n Z

Thus, there is one zero at x=π/3 for n=1, in the interval (0,π/2). To test sign, we put x = π/4 in -3sin3x, we have -3sin 3π/4<0. Hence, derivative is negative in [0,π/3] and positive in [π/3, π/2]. Further since sine function is a continuous function, we include end points :

Strictly decreasing interval = [ 0, π 3 ] Strictly increasing interval = [ π 3, π 2 ]

Logarithmic and exponential functions

Logarithmic and exponential functions are continuous in their domain intervals. Important point is that the derivative of exponential function is also an exponential function and it is always positive for base a>0 and a≠1. This fact is also evident from its graphs. On the other hand, derivative of logarithmic function depends on the nature of its argument. The basic derivatives are :

f x = e x f x = e x f x = log e x f x = 1 x

Graphs of exponential functions

Graphs of exponential functions for different bases

Problem : Determine monotonic nature of function :

f x = 1 + x e x

Solution : Its first derivative is :

f x = e x + 1 + x e x = x + 2 e x

Since e x is positive for all values of x, the derivative is zero if :

x + 2 = 0 x = - 2

For a test point, x = - 3, f x = 1 e - 3 < 0 . Further, function is continuous in R. Hence,

Strictly increasing interval = [ - 2, ) Strictly decreasing interval = ( - , - 2 ]

Exercises

Determine monotonic nature of function :

f x = - 2 x 3 9 x 2 + 12 x + 7

Hint : Critical points are 1 and 2.

Strictly increasing interval = [ 1,2 ] Strictly decreasing interval = ( - , 1 ] [ 2, )

Determine sub-intervals of [0,π/2] in which given function is (i) strictly increasing and (ii) strictly decreasing.

f x = sin 3 x

Its first derivative is :

f x = 3 cos 3 x

Corresponding to given interval [0,π/2], argument to cosine function is [0,3π/2]. Cosine function is positive in first quadrants [0, π/2] and negative in second and third quadrant [π/2,3π/2]. Corresponding to these argument values, 3cos3x is positive in [0,π/6] and negative in [π/6, π/2]of the given interval. Hence, derivative is positive in [0,π/6] and negative in [π/6, π/2].

Alternatively, we can find zero of 3cos3x as :

cos 3 x = 0 3 x = 2 n + 1 π 2 ; n Z x = 2 n + 1 π 6 ; n Z

Thus, there is one zero, x=π/6, in the given interval [0,π/2]. To test sign, we put x = π/4 in 3cos3x, we have 3cos 3π/4<0. Hence, derivative is positive in [0,π/6] and negative in [π/6, π/2].

Strictly increasing interval = [ 0, π 6 ] Strictly decreasing interval = [ π 6 , π 2 ]

Determine monotonic nature of function :

f x = x 1 e x + 1

Its first derivative is :

f x = e x + x 1 e x = e x

Since e x is positive for all values of x, the derivative is zero for all x. Hence, given function is strictly increasing in the interval of real number R.

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Source:  OpenStax, Functions. OpenStax CNX. Sep 23, 2008 Download for free at http://cnx.org/content/col10464/1.64
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