Lecture 22. Section 4.

3: Monotonic functions
and 1st derivative test

Professor Michael Kapovich

November 23, 2011

1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called decreasing (↓) on an interval I if
1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called decreasing (↓) on an interval I if
I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called decreasing (↓) on an interval I if
I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called monotonic if it is either
increasing or decreasing.
1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called decreasing (↓) on an interval I if
I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called monotonic if it is either
increasing or decreasing.
I Remark. If f is monotonic then any equation f (x) = b has at
most one solution (maybe none):

f (x1 ) = f (x2 ) = b ⇒ x1 = x2
1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called decreasing (↓) on an interval I if
I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called monotonic if it is either
increasing or decreasing.
I Remark. If f is monotonic then any equation f (x) = b has at
most one solution (maybe none):

f (x1 ) = f (x2 ) = b ⇒ x1 = x2

I since, say, for x1 < x2 and f ↑, we have:

1. Definitions

I A function y = f (x) is called increasing (↑) on an interval I if

I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called decreasing (↓) on an interval I if
I x1 < x2 ⇒ f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) for all x1 , x2 in I .
I A function y = f (x) is called monotonic if it is either
increasing or decreasing.
I Remark. If f is monotonic then any equation f (x) = b has at
most one solution (maybe none):

f (x1 ) = f (x2 ) = b ⇒ x1 = x2

I since, say, for x1 < x2 and f ↑, we have:

I f (x1 ) < f (x2 ), so f (x1 ) 6= f (x2 ).
2. Example

I Example. y = |x| is decreasing on (−∞, 0] and increasing on

[0, ∞).
2. Example

I Example. y = |x| is decreasing on (−∞, 0] and increasing on

[0, ∞).
I This function is not monotonic on [−1, 1].
3. First derivative test for monotonicity

I Theorem. Suppose that f (x) is continuous on a closed

interval [a, b] and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).
Then:
3. First derivative test for monotonicity

I Theorem. Suppose that f (x) is continuous on a closed

interval [a, b] and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).
Then:
I 1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↑.
3. First derivative test for monotonicity

I Theorem. Suppose that f (x) is continuous on a closed

interval [a, b] and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).
Then:
I 1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↑.
I 2. If f 0 (x) < 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↓.
3. First derivative test for monotonicity

I Theorem. Suppose that f (x) is continuous on a closed

interval [a, b] and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).
Then:
I 1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↑.
I 2. If f 0 (x) < 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↓.
I Proof of (1): Suppose f 0 (c) > 0 for all c.
3. First derivative test for monotonicity

I Theorem. Suppose that f (x) is continuous on a closed

interval [a, b] and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).
Then:
I 1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↑.
I 2. If f 0 (x) < 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↓.
I Proof of (1): Suppose f 0 (c) > 0 for all c.
I Then (by Mean Value Thm) for all x1 < x2 in (a, b) we can
find x1 < c < x2 so that
3. First derivative test for monotonicity

I Theorem. Suppose that f (x) is continuous on a closed

interval [a, b] and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).
Then:
I 1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↑.
I 2. If f 0 (x) < 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↓.
I Proof of (1): Suppose f 0 (c) > 0 for all c.
I Then (by Mean Value Thm) for all x1 < x2 in (a, b) we can
find x1 < c < x2 so that
I
f (x2 ) − f (x1 ) = f 0 (c)(x2 − x1 ) > 0
3. First derivative test for monotonicity

I Theorem. Suppose that f (x) is continuous on a closed

interval [a, b] and is differentiable on the open interval (a, b).
Then:
I 1. If f 0 (x) > 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↑.
I 2. If f 0 (x) < 0 for all x in (a, b) then f is ↓.
I Proof of (1): Suppose f 0 (c) > 0 for all c.
I Then (by Mean Value Thm) for all x1 < x2 in (a, b) we can
find x1 < c < x2 so that
I
f (x2 ) − f (x1 ) = f 0 (c)(x2 − x1 ) > 0
I Thus, f (x2 ) > f (x1 ) and f is increasing.
4. Examples

I Example. Show that y = ln(x) is increasing.

4. Examples

I Example. Show that y = ln(x) is increasing.

I Solution. Domain is (0, ∞).
4. Examples

I Example. Show that y = ln(x) is increasing.

I Solution. Domain is (0, ∞).
dy 1
I Computing the derivative: dx = x > 0 for all x > 0.
4. Examples

I Example. Show that y = ln(x) is increasing.

I Solution. Domain is (0, ∞).
dy 1
I Computing the derivative: dx = x > 0 for all x > 0.
I By 1st derivative test, ln(x) is increasing.
4. Examples

I Example. Show that y = ln(x) is increasing.

I Solution. Domain is (0, ∞).
dy 1
I Computing the derivative: dx = x > 0 for all x > 0.
I By 1st derivative test, ln(x) is increasing.
I Example. Show that y = e x is increasing.
4. Examples

I Example. Show that y = ln(x) is increasing.

I Solution. Domain is (0, ∞).
dy 1
I Computing the derivative: dx = x > 0 for all x > 0.
I By 1st derivative test, ln(x) is increasing.
I Example. Show that y = e x is increasing.
dy
I Solution. dx = e x > 0 for all x.
4. Examples

I Example. Show that y = ln(x) is increasing.

I Solution. Domain is (0, ∞).
dy 1
I Computing the derivative: dx = x > 0 for all x > 0.
I By 1st derivative test, ln(x) is increasing.
I Example. Show that y = e x is increasing.
dy
I Solution. dx = e x > 0 for all x.
I By 1st derivative test, e x is increasing.
5. Example

I Show that the equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one

solution.
5. Example

I Show that the equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one

solution.
I Solution. The function y = f (x) = x 3 + x + 1 is continuous
and differentiable everywhere.
5. Example

I Show that the equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one

solution.
I Solution. The function y = f (x) = x 3 + x + 1 is continuous
and differentiable everywhere.
I f (−1) = −1 − 1 + 1 = −1 < 0. f (1) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 > 0.
5. Example

I Show that the equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one

solution.
I Solution. The function y = f (x) = x 3 + x + 1 is continuous
and differentiable everywhere.
I f (−1) = −1 − 1 + 1 = −1 < 0. f (1) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 > 0.
I Existence of solution: By Intermediate Value Theorem, there
exists −1 < x0 < 1 so that f (x0 ) = x03 + x0 + 1 = 0.
5. Example

I Show that the equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one

solution.
I Solution. The function y = f (x) = x 3 + x + 1 is continuous
and differentiable everywhere.
I f (−1) = −1 − 1 + 1 = −1 < 0. f (1) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 > 0.
I Existence of solution: By Intermediate Value Theorem, there
exists −1 < x0 < 1 so that f (x0 ) = x03 + x0 + 1 = 0.
I Uniqueness of solution: f 0 (x) = 3x 2 + 1 ≥ 1 > 0 for all x.
Hence, f is increasing on (−∞, ∞).
5. Example

I Show that the equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one

solution.
I Solution. The function y = f (x) = x 3 + x + 1 is continuous
and differentiable everywhere.
I f (−1) = −1 − 1 + 1 = −1 < 0. f (1) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 > 0.
I Existence of solution: By Intermediate Value Theorem, there
exists −1 < x0 < 1 so that f (x0 ) = x03 + x0 + 1 = 0.
I Uniqueness of solution: f 0 (x) = 3x 2 + 1 ≥ 1 > 0 for all x.
Hence, f is increasing on (−∞, ∞).
I For any monotonic function y = f (x), every equation
f (x) = b has at most one solution.
5. Example

I Show that the equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one

solution.
I Solution. The function y = f (x) = x 3 + x + 1 is continuous
and differentiable everywhere.
I f (−1) = −1 − 1 + 1 = −1 < 0. f (1) = 1 + 1 + 1 = 3 > 0.
I Existence of solution: By Intermediate Value Theorem, there
exists −1 < x0 < 1 so that f (x0 ) = x03 + x0 + 1 = 0.
I Uniqueness of solution: f 0 (x) = 3x 2 + 1 ≥ 1 > 0 for all x.
Hence, f is increasing on (−∞, ∞).
I For any monotonic function y = f (x), every equation
f (x) = b has at most one solution.
I Conclusion: The equation x 3 + x + 1 = 0 has exactly one
solution.
6. Using 1st derivative test to find intervals of
monotonicity and local extrema

I 1. Find critical points of f (f 0 = 0, boundary points and

derivative DNE).
6. Using 1st derivative test to find intervals of
monotonicity and local extrema

I 1. Find critical points of f (f 0 = 0, boundary points and

derivative DNE).
I 2. Between each consecutive pair of critical points, check if
f 0 > 0 or f 0 < 0.
6. Using 1st derivative test to find intervals of
monotonicity and local extrema

I 1. Find critical points of f (f 0 = 0, boundary points and

derivative DNE).
I 2. Between each consecutive pair of critical points, check if
f 0 > 0 or f 0 < 0.
I 3. Conclude that on these intervals f ↑ or f ↓.
6. Using 1st derivative test to find intervals of
monotonicity and local extrema

I 1. Find critical points of f (f 0 = 0, boundary points and

derivative DNE).
I 2. Between each consecutive pair of critical points, check if
f 0 > 0 or f 0 < 0.
I 3. Conclude that on these intervals f ↑ or f ↓.
I First derivative test for local extrema:
6. Using 1st derivative test to find intervals of
monotonicity and local extrema

I 1. Find critical points of f (f 0 = 0, boundary points and

derivative DNE).
I 2. Between each consecutive pair of critical points, check if
f 0 > 0 or f 0 < 0.
I 3. Conclude that on these intervals f ↑ or f ↓.
I First derivative test for local extrema:
I 4. If at a critical point f 0 switches from + to − then local
maximum.
6. Using 1st derivative test to find intervals of
monotonicity and local extrema

I 1. Find critical points of f (f 0 = 0, boundary points and

derivative DNE).
I 2. Between each consecutive pair of critical points, check if
f 0 > 0 or f 0 < 0.
I 3. Conclude that on these intervals f ↑ or f ↓.
I First derivative test for local extrema:
I 4. If at a critical point f 0 switches from + to − then local
maximum.
I 5. If at a critical point f 0 switches from − to + then local
minimum.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
I Solution. f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
I Solution. f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, x 2 = 1, x = ±1.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
I Solution. f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, x 2 = 1, x = ±1.
I If x < −1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > (−1)2 − 1 = 0, so f ↑.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
I Solution. f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, x 2 = 1, x = ±1.
I If x < −1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > (−1)2 − 1 = 0, so f ↑.
I If −1 < x < 1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 < 12 − 1 = 0, so f ↓.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
I Solution. f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, x 2 = 1, x = ±1.
I If x < −1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > (−1)2 − 1 = 0, so f ↑.
I If −1 < x < 1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 < 12 − 1 = 0, so f ↓.
I If 1 < x, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > 0, so f ↑.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
I Solution. f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, x 2 = 1, x = ±1.
I If x < −1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > (−1)2 − 1 = 0, so f ↑.
I If −1 < x < 1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 < 12 − 1 = 0, so f ↓.
I If 1 < x, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > 0, so f ↑.
I x = −1 is point of local max, x = 1 is point of local min.
7. Example

I Example: For the function f (x) = 13 x 3 − x + 1 find intervals

of increase, decrease and points of relative min/max.
I Solution. f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, x 2 = 1, x = ±1.
I If x < −1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > (−1)2 − 1 = 0, so f ↑.
I If −1 < x < 1, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 < 12 − 1 = 0, so f ↓.
I If 1 < x, f 0 (x) = x 2 − 1 > 0, so f ↑.
I x = −1 is point of local max, x = 1 is point of local min.
I Note: Neither is a point of absolute extremum.
8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

I Solution. Domain: 0 < x < ∞.
8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

I Solution. Domain: 0 < x < ∞.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = ln(x) + x
x = ln(x) + 1.
8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

I Solution. Domain: 0 < x < ∞.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = ln(x) + x
x = ln(x) + 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, ln(x) = −1, x = e ln(x) = e −1 .
8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

I Solution. Domain: 0 < x < ∞.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = ln(x) + x
x = ln(x) + 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, ln(x) = −1, x = e ln(x) = e −1 .
I x > e −1 , ln(x) + 1 > ln(e −1 ) + 1 = −1 + 1 = 0, ⇒ f ↑.
8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

I Solution. Domain: 0 < x < ∞.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = ln(x) + x
x = ln(x) + 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, ln(x) = −1, x = e ln(x) = e −1 .
I x > e −1 , ln(x) + 1 > ln(e −1 ) + 1 = −1 + 1 = 0, ⇒ f ↑.
I 0 < x < e −1 , ln(x) + 1 < ln(e −1 ) + 1 = −1 + 1 = 0, ⇒ f ↓.
8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

I Solution. Domain: 0 < x < ∞.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = ln(x) + x
x = ln(x) + 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, ln(x) = −1, x = e ln(x) = e −1 .
I x > e −1 , ln(x) + 1 > ln(e −1 ) + 1 = −1 + 1 = 0, ⇒ f ↑.
I 0 < x < e −1 , ln(x) + 1 < ln(e −1 ) + 1 = −1 + 1 = 0, ⇒ f ↓.
I x0 = e −1 is point of local min.
8. Example

I Example: Do the same for f (x) = x ln(x).

I Solution. Domain: 0 < x < ∞.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = ln(x) + x
x = ln(x) + 1.
I Critical points: f 0 (x) = 0, ln(x) = −1, x = e ln(x) = e −1 .
I x > e −1 , ln(x) + 1 > ln(e −1 ) + 1 = −1 + 1 = 0, ⇒ f ↑.
I 0 < x < e −1 , ln(x) + 1 < ln(e −1 ) + 1 = −1 + 1 = 0, ⇒ f ↓.
I x0 = e −1 is point of local min.
I Note: Actually: x0 = e −1 is the point of absolute minimum.
9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

I Solution. Need to show that f (x) = e x − (1 + x) ≥ 0.
9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

I Solution. Need to show that f (x) = e x − (1 + x) ≥ 0.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = e x − 1 > 0 since e x > e 0 = 1 for x > 0.
9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

I Solution. Need to show that f (x) = e x − (1 + x) ≥ 0.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = e x − 1 > 0 since e x > e 0 = 1 for x > 0.
I f (0) = e 0 − (1 + 0) = 0.
9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

I Solution. Need to show that f (x) = e x − (1 + x) ≥ 0.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = e x − 1 > 0 since e x > e 0 = 1 for x > 0.
I f (0) = e 0 − (1 + 0) = 0.
I Hence, by the 1st derivative test, f (x) > f (0) for all x > 0
and
9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

I Solution. Need to show that f (x) = e x − (1 + x) ≥ 0.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = e x − 1 > 0 since e x > e 0 = 1 for x > 0.
I f (0) = e 0 − (1 + 0) = 0.
I Hence, by the 1st derivative test, f (x) > f (0) for all x > 0
and
I e x − (1 + x) > 0.
9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

I Solution. Need to show that f (x) = e x − (1 + x) ≥ 0.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = e x − 1 > 0 since e x > e 0 = 1 for x > 0.
I f (0) = e 0 − (1 + 0) = 0.
I Hence, by the 1st derivative test, f (x) > f (0) for all x > 0
and
I e x − (1 + x) > 0.
I For x = 0, e 0 = 1 + 0 = 1.
9. Using derivatives to establish inequalities

I Example 58: Show that e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.

I Solution. Need to show that f (x) = e x − (1 + x) ≥ 0.
I Derivative: f 0 (x) = e x − 1 > 0 since e x > e 0 = 1 for x > 0.
I f (0) = e 0 − (1 + 0) = 0.
I Hence, by the 1st derivative test, f (x) > f (0) for all x > 0
and
I e x − (1 + x) > 0.
I For x = 0, e 0 = 1 + 0 = 1.
I Conclusion: e x ≥ 1 + x for all x ≥ 0.