Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives
Intro to Extrema
Problem 4.3.41
Textbook Question
Increasing and decreasing functions. Find the intervals on which f is increasing and the intervals on which it is decreasing.
f(x) = -2x⁴ + x² + 10

1
First, find the derivative of the function f(x) = -2x⁴ + x² + 10. The derivative, f'(x), will help us determine where the function is increasing or decreasing.
Calculate the derivative: f'(x) = d/dx(-2x⁴ + x² + 10). Use the power rule for differentiation: d/dx(xⁿ) = n*xⁿ⁻¹.
Apply the power rule: f'(x) = -8x³ + 2x.
Set the derivative f'(x) equal to zero to find the critical points: -8x³ + 2x = 0. Factor the equation: 2x(-4x² + 1) = 0.
Solve for x: 2x = 0 gives x = 0, and -4x² + 1 = 0 gives x = ±√(1/4). Use these critical points to test intervals around them to determine where f'(x) is positive (increasing) or negative (decreasing).

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Critical Points
Critical points are values of x where the derivative of a function is either zero or undefined. These points are essential for determining where a function changes from increasing to decreasing or vice versa. To find critical points, we first compute the derivative of the function and set it equal to zero, solving for x.
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First Derivative Test
The First Derivative Test is a method used to determine the behavior of a function at its critical points. By analyzing the sign of the derivative before and after each critical point, we can conclude whether the function is increasing or decreasing in the intervals defined by these points. If the derivative changes from positive to negative, the function is increasing before and decreasing after the critical point.
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Intervals of Increase and Decrease
Intervals of increase and decrease refer to the ranges of x-values where a function is respectively rising or falling. A function is increasing on an interval if its derivative is positive throughout that interval, while it is decreasing if the derivative is negative. Identifying these intervals helps in understanding the overall behavior and trends of the function.
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