A function f[x] and a point x=a. If f'[a]>0, is it possible f[a]<=f[x]

In summary, if the derivative of a function at a point is positive, the function is increasing at that point. In order for f[a]<=f[x] to be true for all other x's, a must be a maximum point. In the case of a minimum point, f'(a) would be 0. For a repeating function, such as sine, f[a]<=f[x] may not hold true for all x > a.
  • #1
CAG
1
0
You've got a function f[x] and a point x=a.
If f'[a]>0, is it possible that f[a]<=f[x] a for all other x's?
Why?

Having a problems visualize this, any help would be great
 
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  • #2
If f'[a] is positive, the function is increasing at a. For f[a]<=f[x] to be true, "a" needs to be a maxima.
 
  • #3
Poncho said:
If f'[a] is positive, the function is increasing at a. For f[a]<=f[x] to be true, "a" needs to be a maxima.

Do you mean minima?

...and by the way, if it was a minima, f'(a) would be 0. So since f'(a)>0, what does that tell you about x<a?
 
  • #4
I good example would be [tex] f(x) = \sin x [/tex] the derivative of which is [tex] f'(x) = \cos x [/tex]. If [tex] a = 0 [/tex] then [tex] f'(0) = \cos 0 = 1 [/tex] indicating the function is rising. However, since sine is a repeating function, it will go to a maximum of 1, and fall down again. So f(a) <= f(x) for all x > a is not true if f(x) repeats on the segment a < x < inf.
 

1) What does f'[a]>0 mean?

It means that the derivative of the function at point a is positive, indicating that the function is increasing at that point.

2) What is the relationship between f'[a] and f[x]?

f'[a] is the derivative of the function at point a, while f[x] is the value of the function at a different point, x. The two are not directly related, but f'[a] can give information about the behavior of the function at point a.

3) Can f[a] ever be less than or equal to f[x] if f'[a]>0?

Yes, it is possible for f[a] to be less than or equal to f[x] even if f'[a]>0. This would occur if the function has a local maximum at point a, meaning that the slope of the function is positive at a, but the function value is not the highest at that point.

4) What does it mean if f[a] is less than f[x]?

If f[a] is less than f[x], it means that the value of the function at point a is lower than the value at point x. This could indicate that the function is decreasing or has a local minimum at point a.

5) How does f'[a] relate to the shape of the graph of f[x]?

f'[a] gives information about the slope of the tangent line at point a on the graph of f[x]. Depending on the value of f'[a], the graph could be increasing, decreasing, or have a local maximum or minimum at that point.

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