FUNCTIONS

Andrea Marie M. Ondivilla

MS Education, Mathematics
 FUNCTIONS
THE SHAPE OF THE
GRAPH
 LESSON OUTLINE
Discuss what the first derivative of a function
can tell us about the graph of a function.
Discuss what the second derivative of a
function can tell us about the graph of a
function.
 The first derivative will allow us to identify the
relative (or local) minimum and maximum values of a
function and where a function will be increasing and
decreasing.

The first derivative of a function, ( f'(x) ), represents

the rate of change of the function at any point.
Geometrically, it gives the slope of the tangent line to
the graph of the function. By studying ( f'(x) ), we can
gather key insights about the behavior of ( f(x) ).
 Identifying Increasing and Decreasing
Intervals
❖ Increasing Intervals: The graph of ( f(x) ) is increasing
(rising) where ( f'(x) > 0 ). This means that as (x)
increases, (f(x)) also increases.

❖ Decreasing Intervals: The graph of ( f(x) ) is decreasing

(falling) where ( f'(x) < 0 ). In this case, as (x) increases,
(f(x)) decreases.
 Identifying Increasing and Decreasing
Intervals
❖ Increasing Intervals: The graph of ( f(x) ) is increasing (rising) where (
f'(x) > 0 ). This means that as (x) increases, (f(x)) also increases.
❖ Decreasing Intervals: The graph of ( f(x) ) is decreasing (falling) where
( f'(x) < 0 ). In this case, as (x) increases, (f(x)) decreases.

By determining where ( f'(x) ) is positive or

negative, we can divide the graph into regions
where it rises and falls.
 Identifying Increasing and Decreasing
Intervals
❖ Increasing Intervals: The graph of ( f(x) ) is increasing (rising) where (
f'(x) > 0 ). This means that as (x) increases, (f(x)) also increases.
❖ Decreasing Intervals: The graph of ( f(x) ) is decreasing (falling) where
( f'(x) < 0 ). In this case, as (x) increases, (f(x)) decreases.

By determining where ( f'(x) ) is positive or

negative, we can divide the graph into regions
where it rises and falls.
 EXAMPLE 1

Determine all intervals where the following function is

increasing or decreasing.
5 5 3
f(x) =-𝑥 + 𝑥+5
2
Find the derivative of the given function.
4 3 2
f’(x)= −5𝑥 + 10𝑥 + 40𝑥
f’(x)= 2
−5𝑥 (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8)
2
f’(x)= −5𝑥 (𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 + 2)
We will have three (3) critical points.
x=−2, x=0, and x=4.
 ′
𝑓 −1 = 25 ′
′ 𝑓 5 = −875
′
𝑓 𝑥 >0
𝑓 −3 = −315 ′
′
𝑓 𝑥 <0
′ 𝑓 1 = 45
𝑓 𝑥 <0 ′
𝑓 𝑥 >0

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Increase : −2 < x < 0 and 0 < x < 4

Decrease : −∞ < x < −2 and 4 < x < ∞
 1
𝑓 𝑥 =
𝑥
 1
𝑓 𝑥 = does not exist at x = 0
𝑥
 1 does not exist at x = 0
𝑓 𝑥 = negative if x<0
𝑥
 1 does not exist at x = 0
𝑓 𝑥 = negative if x<0
𝑥 positive if x>0
 1 does not exist at x = 0
𝑓 𝑥 = negative if x<0
𝑥 positive if x>0

Changed sign at the point where it does not exist.

 1 does not exist at x = 0
𝑓 𝑥 = negative if x<0
𝑥 positive if x>0

Changed sign at the point where it does not exist.

1
𝑓 𝑥 = 2
𝑥
 1 does not exist at x = 0
𝑓 𝑥 = negative if x<0
𝑥 positive if x>0

Change sign at the point where it does not exist.

1
𝑓 𝑥 = 2 does not exist at x=0
𝑥
and yet is positive on both sides of x=0.
 First Derivative Test
is a tool to classify critical points by examining the sign of ( f'(x) )
on either side of a critical point:
 First Derivative Test
is a tool to classify critical points by examining the sign of ( f'(x) ) on either side of a critical point:

By analyzing ( f'(x) ):

• We can map out where the graph rises and falls.

• Identify key turning points (relative extrema) that define the graph’s
overall shape.
 Example 3
Find and classify all the critical points of the following function. Give
the intervals where the function is increasing and decreasing.
3
𝑔 𝑡 =𝑡 (𝑡 2 − 4)
We then have four
′ 2
1 2 2 2 −
2 critical points.
𝑔 (𝑡) = 𝑡 − 4 3 + 𝑡 𝑡 −4 3
3
1
2𝑡 2 5𝑡 2 −12
= 𝑡 −4 2 3 + 2
= 2
3 𝑡 2 −4 3 3 𝑡 2 −4 3

3 2
𝑡 −4 +2𝑡 2
= 2
3 𝑡 2 −4 3
 Example 3
Find and classify all the critical points of the following function. Give
the intervals where the function is increasing and decreasing.
3
𝑔 𝑡 =𝑡 (𝑡 2 − 4) 2
5𝑡 −12
= 2
′ 2
1 2 2 2 −
2 3 𝑡 2 −4 3
𝑔 (𝑡) = 𝑡 − 4 3 + 𝑡 𝑡 −4 3
3
1
2 2𝑡 2
= 𝑡 −4 3 + 2 𝒕 = ±𝟐
3 𝑡 2 −4 3
2 2 𝟏𝟐
3 𝑡 −4 +2𝑡 𝒕=± or ±𝟏. 𝟓𝟒𝟗
= 2 𝟓
3 𝑡 2 −4 3
 𝑔′ −1.7 = 0.76 𝑔′ 1.7 = 0.76
𝑔′ 𝑡 > 0 𝑔′ 𝑡 > 0
𝑔′ 3 = 3.76
′
𝑔 −3 = 3.76 𝑔′ 𝑡 > 0
′
𝑔 𝑡 >0 ′
𝑔 0 = −1.59 𝑔′ 𝑡 < 0

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
The following intervals of increasing and decreasing:

12 12
𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒: −∞ < 𝑥 < −2, −2 < 𝑥 < − , < 𝑥 < 2, and 2 < 𝑥 < ∞
5 5
 𝑔′ −1.7 = 0.76 𝑔′ 1.7 = 0.76
𝑔′ 𝑡 > 0 𝑔′ 𝑡 > 0
𝑔′ 3 = 3.76
′
𝑔 −3 = 3.76 𝑔′ 𝑡 > 0
′
𝑔 𝑡 >0 ′
𝑔 0 = −1.59 𝑔′ 𝑡 < 0

-3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
The following intervals of increasing and decreasing:
12 12
𝐼𝑛𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒: −∞ < 𝑥 < −2, −2 < 𝑥 < − , < 𝑥 < 2, and 2 < 𝑥 < ∞
5 5

12 12
Decrease: − <𝑥<
5 5
Example 4
The population of rabbits (in
hundreds) after t years in a certain
area is given by the following
function,
2
P 𝑡 = 𝑡 𝑙𝑛 3𝑥 + 6

Determine if the population ever decreases in

the first two years.
 Example 4
2
P 𝑡 = 𝑡 𝑙𝑛 3𝑥 + 6 exponentiating both sides.
1
ln(3𝑥) −
2 3 𝑒 = 𝑒 2
P’(t) = 2𝑥 𝑙𝑛 3𝑥 + 𝑥 ( )
3𝑥 1
−
= 2𝑥 𝑙𝑛 3𝑥 + 𝑥 3𝑥 = 𝑒 2
= 𝑥 (2 ln(3𝑥)) + 1 1 −1
𝑥= 𝑒 2
Set derivative equal to zero 3
2 ln 3𝑥 + 1 = 0 1
𝑥=
1 3 𝑒
ln 3𝑥 = −
2 𝑥 = 0.202
 ′ ′
𝑃 0.1 = −0.14 𝑃 0.3 = 0.24
′ ′
𝑃 𝑡 <0 𝑃 𝑡 >0

0. 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4

Hence, the population will decrease for a short

period and then continue to increase forever.
CONCAVITY
CONCAVITY
describes the "shape" of the graph, specifically whether it
curves upward or downward:
CONCAVITY
 Inflection points will be all the points where the second
derivative changes sign
EXAMPLE 1
For the following function identify the intervals where the
function is increasing and decreasing and the intervals where the
function is concave up and concave down. Use this information
to sketch the graph.
5 3
ℎ 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 3
EXAMPLE 1
For the following function identify the intervals where the function is increasing and
decreasing and the intervals where the function is concave up and concave down. Use
this information to sketch the graph.

ℎ 𝑥 = 3𝑥 5 − 5𝑥 3 +3
′ 4 2 2
ℎ 𝑥 = 15𝑥 − 15𝑥 = 15𝑥 (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1)
′′ 3 2
ℎ 𝑥 = 60𝑥 − 30𝑥 = 30𝑥(2𝑥 − 1)
Critical points: h’(x)

𝑥 = −1, 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = 1
 1 ′
1 ℎ′ = −2.8 ℎ 2 = 180
ℎ′ − = −2.8 2
2 ′
′
ℎ 𝑥 <0 ℎ 𝑥 >0
ℎ ′ 𝑥 <0
′
ℎ −2 = 180
′
ℎ 𝑥 >0

-2 -1 0 1 2

Hence,
Increasing: −∞ < 𝑥 < −1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1 < 𝑥 < ∞
Decreasing: −1 < 𝑥 < 0, 0 < 𝑥 < 1
ℎ ′′ 𝑥 = 30𝑥(2𝑥 2 − 1)

Critical points:
1
𝑥 = 0, 𝑥=± = 0.7071
2
 ′′
1
′′
1 ℎ = −7.5 ′′
ℎ − = 7.5 2 ℎ 1 = 30
′′ 2 ′′
ℎ −1 = −30 ℎ 𝑥 <0 ℎ ′′ 𝑥 >0
′′
′′
ℎ 𝑥 <0 ℎ 𝑥 >0

-1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5

Hence, intervals of concavity:
1 1
Concave up: − < 𝑥 < 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 <𝑥<∞
2 2
1 1
Concave down: −∞ < 𝑥 < − 𝑎𝑛𝑑 0 < 𝑥 <
2 2
The Second Derivative Test works because (f''(x)) tells us the concavity of the graph:
• If (f''(x) > 0), the graph is concave up, leading to a relative minimum.
• If (f''(x) < 0), the graph is concave down, leading to a relative maximum.
EXAMPLE 2
Use the second derivative test to classify the critical points of
the function,
5 3
ℎ 𝑥 = 3𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 3
4 2
ℎ′ 𝑥 = 15𝑥 − 15𝑥
3
ℎ′′ 𝑥 = 60𝑥 − 30𝑥
three critical points x=−1, x=0, and x=1
ℎ′′ −1 = −30𝑥 ℎ′′ 0 = 0 ℎ′′ 1 = 30
 EXAMPLE 3
For the following function find the inflection points and use the second
derivative test, if possible, to classify the critical points. Also, determine
the intervals of increase/decrease and the intervals of concave
up/concave down and sketch the graph of the function.
2
𝑓 𝑡 =𝑡 6−𝑡 3

18 − 5𝑡 10𝑡 − 72
𝑓′ 𝑡 = 1 𝑓′′ 𝑡 = 4
3 6−𝑡 3 9 6−𝑡 3

Critical points:
18
𝑡= = 3.6, 𝑡=6
5
 4
−36
10𝑡 − 72 = 4(53 )
𝑓′′ 𝑡 = 4 = 4
4 12 3
9 6−𝑡 3 9 123
5 3
4 54
10(3.6) − 72 −4 =
𝑓′′ 3.6 = = 4
3
124
4
9 6 − (3.6) 3 12 3 3
5 4(5 5)
36 − 72 = 3
= −4 12 12
4 = 3
12 3 4 5 5)
9 123 = 3
5 4 3 12
53
 10𝑡 − 72 −4 3 2
𝑓′′ 𝑡 = 4
= 4 5 5× 12 )
9 6−𝑡 3 123
4 =−
10(3.6) − 72
53 36
4
𝑓′′ 3.6 = 3
9 6 − (3.6)
4
3 =−
4(53 )
5 5 × 144)
4
123 =−
=
36 − 72
4
36
3
12 3 −4 54 3
9
5 = 3
124
5 × 2 5 × 18)
−36 =−
= 4 =
−4(5 5)
3
3
36
12 3 12 12 3
9
5 5 5 × 18)
=
−4
=−
3
5 5) =−
12
4
3
3
3 12 18
5 3
5 90)
=− 𝑜𝑟 − 1.245
18
 3
10𝑡 − 72 −4 5 5 × 122 )
𝑓′′ 𝑡 = = 4 =−
4 36
9 6−𝑡 3 123
4
53
10(3.6) − 72 4 3
𝑓′′ 3.6 = 4 5 5 × 144)
4(53 ) =− ′′ 3.6
9 6 − (3.6) 3 =− 4 36 𝑓 = −1.245 < 0
123
36 − 72
=
12
4
3 −4
3
54 3
5 × 2 5 × 18)
t = 3.6 is a
9 = =−
5 3
124 36 relative maximum.
−36 3
= −4(5 5)
4 = 3
12 3 12 12 3
5 5 × 18)
9 =−
5
3 18
−4 5 5)
= 4 =− 3
12 3 3 12
3
5 5 90)
=− 𝑜𝑟 − 1.245
18
 ′
𝑓 (4) = −0.53 ′
𝑓 (4) = 5.67
′ ′ ′
𝑓 2 = 1.68 𝑓 𝑡 <0 𝑓 𝑡 >0
𝑓 ′ 𝑡 >0

2 3 4 5 6 7 8
 ′′ ′′ ′′
𝑓 5 = −2.44 𝑓 7 = −0.22 𝑓 8 = 0.35
′′ ′′
𝑓 ′′
𝑡 <0 𝑓 𝑡 <0 𝑓 𝑡 >0

5 6 7 8

Inflection points:
72
𝑡 = 6, 𝑡= 𝑜𝑟 7.2
10
THANK YOU

REFERENCE