Is #f(x)=-x/e^(x^2-3x+2) # increasing or decreasing at #x=4 #?

1 Answer
Jun 11, 2017

#f# is increasing at #x=4#

Explanation:

Since the derivative of a function #f#, denoted #f'#, is the "instantaneous rate of change" of the function. A way to tell the behavior of a function around a point is to take the derivative. If #f'>0# then #f# is increasing. If #f'<0# then #f# is decreasing.

Since #x^(-r)=1/x^r#, we can say

#f(x)=-x/(e^(x^2-3x+2))=-x(e^(-x^2+3x-2))#

And since the Product rule states

#[h(x)g(x)]'=h'(x)g(x)+h(x)g'(x)#

we can say

#f'(x)=-e^(-x^2+3x-2)-x(e^(-x^2+3x-2))'#

and since the chain rule states #(h(g(x)))'=h'(g(x))g'(x)#

we can say

#(e^(-x^2+3x-2))'=(-x^2+3x-2)'e^(-x^2+3x-2)#

#=-2x+3(e^(-x^2+3x-2))=-2xe^(-x^2+3x-2)+3e^(-x^2+3x-2)#

Then

#f'(x)=-e^(-x^2+3x-2)+2x^2e^(-x^2+3x-2)-3xe^(-x^2+3x-2)#

Now to check for the point #x=4# plug in #4#

Then

#f'(4)=-e^(-16+12-2)+32e^(-16+12-2)-12e^(-16+12-2)#

#=-e^-6+32e^-6-12e^-6=19e^-6#

and since #f'(4)=19e^-6# then #f'(4)>0# #therefore# #f# is increasing at the point #x=4#