INCREASING AND DECREASING FUNCTIONS USING THE GEOMETRICAL

SIGNIFICANCE OF dy/dx

INDEX

1. Introduction
2. Geometrical Significance of Derivative (dy/dx)
3. Mathematical Definition of Increasing and Decreasing Functions
4. Conditions for Increasing and Decreasing Functions
5. Illustration with Example
6. Geometrical Interpretation of the Example
7. Applications of Increasing and Decreasing Functions
8. Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

In calculus, the concepts of increasing and decreasing functions are fundamental in

understanding how a function behaves over a certain domain. These concepts are critical for
curve sketching, optimization problems, and various applications in physics, economics, and
engineering.

The derivative of a function, denoted by dy/dx, helps us analyse the rate at which a function
changes. By determining the sign of dy/dx, we can classify whether a function is increasing,
decreasing, or stationary at any point.

Understanding the geometrical significance of the derivative is particularly important. The

derivative, at any given point on a curve, represents the slope of the tangent line to the curve
at that point. If the slope is positive, the function is rising (increasing). If the slope is negative,
the function is falling (decreasing). And if the slope is zero, the function may have a critical
point such as a maximum, minimum, or point of inflection.

In this project, we will explore the behaviour of increasing and decreasing functions, the role
of the derivative in determining the behaviour, and provide a detailed example to illustrate
these concepts.

GEOMETRICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF DERIVATIVE (dy/dx)

The derivative is not only a mathematical tool but also holds significant geometric meaning.
When a function is graphed, the derivative at any point gives the slope of the tangent line to
the curve at that point. The slope of this tangent tells us how the function is behaving locally:

1. Positive (Increasing Function):

If , the slope of the tangent line is positive, meaning the graph of the function is rising as we
move from left to right. This implies the function is increasing at that particular point. In
real-world terms, an increasing function represents a scenario where a quantity is gaining
value over time.

Example: Consider the simple linear function . The derivative is positive, indicating that the
function is increasing throughout its domain.

2. Negative (Decreasing Function):

If , the slope of the tangent line is negative, meaning the graph of the function is falling as we
move from left to right. This indicates that the function is decreasing at that particular point.
In practical terms, a decreasing function represents a situation where a quantity is reducing
over time.

Example: Consider the function . Its derivative is , which is negative for all positive values of
, showing that the function is decreasing.

3. Zero (Critical Points):

If , the slope of the tangent line is zero, meaning the graph is flat at that point. This can
correspond to a local maximum, local minimum, or a point of inflection. Critical points are
important in optimization, where we seek to find the highest or lowest points on a curve.

Example: The function has a derivative , which is zero at and . These points need further
investigation to determine if they are maxima, minima, or inflection points.

MATHEMATICAL DEFINITION OF INCREASING AND DECREASING FUNCTIONS

Let be a continuous and differentiable function over an interval . We define increasing and
decreasing functions based on the behaviour of their first derivative.

Increasing Function:

A function is said to be increasing on an interval if for all . This means that as increases,
either stays the same or increases.

Decreasing Function:

A function is said to be decreasing on an interval if for all . This indicates that as

increases, either stays the same or decreases.
These mathematical definitions allow us to classify the behavior of functions precisely over
intervals, and they are particularly useful in applications such as economics, where we may
want to know when a function like profit or cost is increasing or decreasing.

CONDITIONS FOR INCREASING AND DECREASING FUNCTIONS

To determine whether a function is increasing or decreasing in a given interval, we must

analyse the sign of its derivative .

1. If :

The function is strictly increasing in that interval because the slope of the tangent line is
positive.

2. If :

The function is strictly decreasing in that interval because the slope of the tangent line is
negative.

3. If :

The function has a critical point at this value of . Critical points often represent local maxima,
minima, or points of inflection, where the behavior of the function may change.

Steps to Analyze:

Differentiate the function to find .

Solve to find critical points.

Test the sign of on either side of the critical points to determine whether the function is
increasing or decreasing in those intervals.

ILLUSTRATION WITH EXAMPLE

Let’s consider the quadratic function and determine where it is increasing or decreasing.

Step 1: Find the Derivative

The first step is to differentiate with respect to to find , which will help us analyze the
function’s behavior:
f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(x^2 - 4x + 3) = 2x - 4

Step 2: Find Critical Points

Next, we find the critical points by setting the derivative equal to zero. Critical points are
where the function may change from increasing to decreasing or vice versa:

f'(x) = 2x - 4 = 0

2x = 4 \implies x = 2 ]

At , the derivative is zero, indicating a potential local maximum, minimum, or inflection point.
This is a critical point of the function.

Step 3: Test Intervals

Now, we will test the sign of the derivative on either side of the critical point to determine
whether the function is increasing or decreasing in different intervals.

For (e.g., ):
f'(0) = 2(0) - 4 = -4
the function is decreasing in the interval .
For (e.g., ):
f'(3) = 2(3) - 4 = 2

Thus, the function is decreasing on the interval and increasing on the interval .

Step 4: Conclusion

The function has a critical point at , where it transitions from decreasing to increasing. This
critical point corresponds to the vertex of the parabola, which is a minimum point. The
function decreases until and increases thereafter.

By analysing the derivative, we’ve determined where the function is increasing and
decreasing, and how it behaves at the critical point.

GEOMETRICAL INTERPRETATION OF THE EXAMPLE

The graph of the quadratic function is a parabola that opens upwards. At the critical point ,
the function changes its behaviour. This point corresponds to the vertex of the parabola,
which is a minimum point.

For : The function is decreasing, which means the slope of the tangent line is negative. The
graph falls as we move from left to right.
At : The function has a minimum. Here, the slope of the tangent line is zero, as the curve is
flat at this point.

For : The function is increasing, which means the slope of the tangent line is positive. The
graph rises as we move from left to right.

This geometrical interpretation helps in visualising how the function behaves. The point
where the function shifts from decreasing to increasing is the point where the tangent line is
horizontal, i.e., .

APPLICATIONS OF INCREASING AND DECREASING FUNCTIONS

The concept of increasing and decreasing functions is widely used in various fields, such as:

1. Economics:
In economics, increasing and decreasing functions help in understanding growth trends,
marginal cost and revenue, and optimizing profits. For instance, profit functions can be
analyzed to determine where the maximum profit occurs by identifying when the function
increases and decreases.

2. Physics:
In physics, velocity and acceleration can be described by increasing and decreasing
functions. For example, the velocity of a particle can be described as a function of time, and
the rate at which it changes (acceleration) can be found by studying the derivative of the
velocity function.

3. Biology:
In population dynamics, increasing and decreasing functions help model population growth
or decay over time. A population may increase during certain intervals (birth rate exceeds
death rate) and decrease in others (death rate exceeds birth rate).

4. Engineering:
Engineers use increasing and decreasing functions to optimise designs. For example, in
maximising the strength of a material or minimising the cost of a construction, engineers
need to know when the related function is increasing or decreasing.

5. Mathematics:
In pure mathematics, increasing and decreasing functions are used in curve sketching,
optimization, and finding solutions to real-world problems through mathematical modelling.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the derivative serves as a powerful tool in understanding the behaviour of
functions. By examining the sign of the derivative, we can determine whether a function is
increasing, decreasing, or stationary at any point in its domain. This analysis is critical in
various fields such as economics, physics, and engineering, where understanding the trends
and behaviour of a function is essential.

The geometrical interpretation of as the slope of the tangent line provides a visual
understanding of how functions behave. As seen in the example of the quadratic function,
the derivative allows us to identify key points on the graph, such as where the function
reaches a minimum or maximum.

By mastering the concept of increasing and decreasing functions, we gain deeper insight
into the fundamental nature of calculus and its applications in real-world problems.