Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Derivative and Increasing/Decreasing Functions
The derivative of a function provides information about its rate of change. A function is increasing on an interval where its derivative is positive and decreasing where its derivative is negative. By finding the derivative of the given function, we can identify critical points and determine the intervals of increase and decrease.
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Critical Points
Critical points occur where the derivative of a function is zero or undefined. These points are essential for analyzing the behavior of the function, as they can indicate local maxima, minima, or points of inflection. By evaluating the function at these points, we can determine the intervals where the function is increasing or decreasing.
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Interval Notation
Interval notation is a mathematical notation used to represent a range of values. It uses parentheses and brackets to indicate whether endpoints are included (closed interval) or excluded (open interval). Understanding interval notation is crucial for accurately expressing the intervals over which the function is increasing or decreasing.
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