Determine the largest open intervals of the domain over which each function is (b) decreasing. See Example 8.
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Identify the function given in the problem. If not provided, refer to Example 8 for the specific function.
Determine the derivative of the function. This will help identify where the function is increasing or decreasing.
Set the derivative less than zero to find where the function is decreasing. Solve the inequality for the variable.
Analyze the critical points and endpoints of the domain to determine the intervals where the derivative is negative.
Conclude the largest open intervals where the function is decreasing based on the solution to the inequality and the analysis of the domain.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Function Behavior
Understanding how a function behaves is crucial in determining its intervals of increase and decrease. A function is said to be decreasing on an interval if, for any two points within that interval, the function's value at the first point is greater than its value at the second point. This behavior can often be analyzed using the first derivative test.
The first derivative of a function provides information about its slope. If the derivative is negative over an interval, the function is decreasing in that interval. This test is a fundamental tool in calculus for identifying where functions increase or decrease, and it helps in finding critical points where the function may change its behavior.
An open interval is a range of values that does not include its endpoints, denoted as (a, b). When determining where a function is decreasing, it is important to specify open intervals to indicate that the endpoints are not included in the interval of decrease. This distinction is essential for accurately describing the domain of the function's behavior.