## anonymous 5 years ago Hi, I have problem with a question in increasing and decreasing functions. The question is: Find the intervals of increase or decrease for the function: g(x) = 3x^4 - 16x^3 + 6x^2 + 72x + 8 I've already done the derivative: g(x) = 12x^3 - 48x^2 + 12X + 72 Can anyone help me with the other steps and the answer please?

1. anonymous

Solve for x, then make intervals from - infinity to x values to positive infinity. Plug in values to see if it is + or -

2. anonymous

Thanks for answering! I've actually tried solving for it..I tried taking the 12 out, didn't work; then tried taking the 12x out, still didn't work..and several other tries... Could you please show me the steps so that I can know what my problems are? :)

3. anonymous

ok try this. first of all find the zeros $12x^3-48x^2+12x+72=0$ $x^3-4x^2+x-6=0$

4. anonymous

typo $x^3-4x^2+x+6=0$

5. anonymous

in general it is hard to find the zeros of a cubic polynomial but i guessed it would be easy or you can't do it. x = 1 does not work, but x = -1 does by inspection. so you know -1 is a zero and so it factors as $(x+1)(something)$

6. anonymous

find the "something" by division got get $(x+1)(x^2-5x+6)=0$

7. anonymous

$(x+1)(x-3)(x-2)=0$ zeros are -1,2 and 3. now you have the zeros of the cubic polynomial. since the leading coefficient of that cubic is positive, you should have a good idea what it looks like. it crosses the x - axis at -1, 2 and 3 so it must be negative until it gets to -1, then positive between -1 and 2, then negative between 2 and 3 and finally positive from 3 on.

8. anonymous

which means your original function is decreasing on $(-\infty, -1)$ increasing on $(-1,2)$ decreasing on $(2,3)$ and increasing on $(3,\infty)$ which is precisely what a fourth degree poly with positive leading coefficient should look like.

9. anonymous

Oh my god! Thanks so much satellite73!!! That's the perfect answer! But I still have a question: other than trying numbers, is there any other way that takes less time like simplifying it? I've been trying to simply it like how I do other questions but didn't work on this...

10. anonymous

well you have a cubic polynomial for a derivative. of course it makes it easier to divide by 12. after that it is hard to find the zeros.

11. anonymous

so i just guessed at 1 and then at -1. -1 worked. but in real life the zeroes could be a mess, or two could be complex or who knows. obviously this problems was cooked up so that the zeros would be more or less easy to find. but no, there is not great way to find the zeroes of a cubic polynomial, although there is a formula for it. like the quadratic formula only maybe a page long and very annoying. just guess!

12. anonymous

I see. So how should I write the steps on the exam? Is there an appropriate way to write it out?

13. anonymous

write it like i did. you may want to show how to divide by x+1. you can use synthetic division.

14. anonymous

How did you get (x+1)(x^2−5x+6)? I forgot how to do the division...

15. anonymous

You have to find your old pre-cal notes on long division.

16. anonymous

Oh no:( I don't have them anymore... Would you mind showing me how to do it?

17. anonymous

It is difficult to show here, difficult to write the long division process. Hopefully Satellite or someone has a scanner and can put up an attachment of the work. It is like high school long division, only with letters.

18. anonymous

use synthetic division. easy example here, almost identical to the one we did. http://www.purplemath.com/modules/synthdiv.htm

19. anonymous

Thanks so much! You really helped me out! Now I can go back to study for my exam:)!! Hopefully I'll see you soon here again! (when I need help...but I'll try helping if I can give a hand as well) Thanks again!! :)

20. anonymous

i will be here. if you have a specific question try satellite7.openstudy@gmail.com

21. anonymous

ooops satellite73.openstudy@gmail.com

22. anonymous

thanks:)