LCKurtz said:
It makes no sense to me. Try it on f(x) = x3.
It will work for continuous ranges. If the derivative is 0 then at that point the function is not growing or falling. The range will always be from one point where f'(x) = 0 to another point where f'(x) = 0. Your example grows without bound, so it's from some number to infinity.
Derivative is 3x^2
3x^2 = 0
x = 0
Since that's the only solution, it's the only real domain limit. Since solving for and x greater than 0 yields a greater y, x = 0 is the lower range, 0 cubed is 0, domain is 0, infinity.
Or another example:
y = 5x^2 + 7x + 5
y' = 10x + 7
10x + 7 = 0
x = -7/10
x = -7/10 is the only real solution.
5(-7/10)^2 + 7(-7/10) + 5
= 2.55
Range is [2.55, infinity)
More useful for examples that don't just grow without bound.
[itex]y=\frac{4x+1}{x^2+x+1}[/itex]
Derivative:
[itex]-\frac{4x^2+2x-3}{(x^2+x+1)^2}[/itex]
0 = 4x^2 + 2x - 3
x =
[itex]\frac{-2+\sqrt{52}}{8}[/itex]
[itex]\frac{-2-\sqrt{52}}{8}[/itex]
Solving for those x in original equation:
Range is [-3.070, 1.737]