# [prove] monotonicity of function

by Дьявол
Tags: decreasing, monotonic increasing, monotonicity, proving
 P: 365 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data Show that the function is monotonic, and if so find if it increases or decreases monotonically. f(x)=ln(x-1), E=(1,∞) where E ⊆ Df 2. Relevant equations a) monotonically increasing if the set E ⊆ Df for arbitrary numbers x1, x2 ∊ E and x1f(x2) 3. The attempt at a solution So we need to start with x1
Math
Emeritus
Thanks
PF Gold
P: 38,882
 Quote by Дьявол 1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data Show that the function is monotonic, and if so find if it increases or decreases monotonically. f(x)=ln(x-1), E=(1,∞) where E ⊆ Df 2. Relevant equations a) monotonically increasing if the set E ⊆ Df for arbitrary numbers x1, x2 ∊ E and x1f(x2) 3. The attempt at a solution So we need to start with x1
It would be simplest to show that the derivative is always positive or always negative for $x\ge 1$. Assuming that you are not allowed to or cannot take the derivative what you have done is perfectly valid- and very good! A correct proof, of course, would start with $x_1< x_2$, progress to $ln\frac{x_1-1}{x_2-1}< 0$ and then assert that $ln(x_1- 1)< ln(x_2-1)$.
Notice, by the way, that you need $x_1>1$ and $x_2> 1$ in order to assert that $x_1-1> 0$, $x_2- 1> 0$ so $\frac{x_2-1}{x_1-1}> 0$ and $ln\frac{x_2-1}{x_1-1}$ exists.
 P: 365 Thanks for the post. Yes, I see now that I missed the fact that x1>1 and x2>1 so I could used that fact that x2-1>0 and x1-x2<0 so that out of here: $$ln(1+\frac{x_1-x_2}{x_2-1})$$ $$-1<\frac{x_1-x_2}{x_2-1}<0$$ $$0<1+\frac{x_1-x_2}{x_2-1}<1$$ and out of here $$ln(1+\frac{x_1-x_2}{x_2-1})0 and x2-1>0 and [tex]ln\frac{x_1-1}{x_2-1}$$ so that $$0<\frac{x_1-1}{x_2-1}<1$$ and out of here $$ln\frac{x_1-1}{x_2-1}<0$$
P: 365

## [prove] monotonicity of function

And what if I have f(x)=3-x ?

x1<x2

f(x1)-f(x2)=3-x1 - 3-x2=1/3x1 - 1/3x2=

Now let's try with LaTeX

=$$\frac{3^{x_1}-3^{x_2}}{3^{x_1+x_2}}$$

Out of x1<x2
log33x1<log33x2

Can I use this method to prove?

Now 3x1<3x2

But how to prove 3x1 + x2>0 ? Or it doesn't need proving?

Now it turns out that f(x1)-f(x2)<0 and f(x1)<f(x2) so that the function is monotonically increasing.
P: 179
 Quote by Дьявол But how to prove 3x1 + x2>0 ? Or it doesn't need proving?
It seems obvious that any power with a positive base is positive (like the multiplication of positive numbers), but you could always write this down.
 P: 365 Can somebody please help with f(x)=x-sin(x), E=(0,п) x1x>0 then 1>sinx>0. If 1>sin(x2)>0 ; 1-sin(x1)>sin(x2)-sin(x1)>-sin(x1) If $$x_2>x_1 ; sin(x_2)>sin(x_1) ; sin(x_2)-sin(x_1)>0$$ or $$sin(x_1)>0 ; -sin(x_1)<0 ; 1-sin(x_1)<1$$ so, 1

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