Problem

Intervals of Increasing or Decreasing
Step 2 of 2: The derivative of a function has already been found and factored to be $f^{\prime}(x)=(x-4)(x+6)$. Use the critical'values obtained in Step 1 to create intervals on a number line to test. Determine which intervals the original function (which we are not given and don't need) is increasing and which intervals it is decreasing, if any.

Answer

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Answer

\(\boxed{\text{The function is increasing on the intervals } (-\infty, -6) \text{ and } (4, \infty), \text{ and decreasing on the interval } (-6, 4).}\)

Steps

Step 1 :The derivative of the function has been found and factored to be \(f^{\prime}(x)=(x-4)(x+6)\).

Step 2 :The critical values of the function are the roots of the derivative, which are x = 4 and x = -6.

Step 3 :These values divide the number line into three intervals: \((-\infty, -6)\), \((-6, 4)\), and \((4, \infty)\).

Step 4 :A test point is picked in each interval and substituted into the derivative to determine whether the function is increasing or decreasing in that interval.

Step 5 :If the derivative is positive, the function is increasing; if it is negative, the function is decreasing.

Step 6 :The function is found to be increasing on the intervals \((-\infty, -6)\) and \((4, \infty)\), and decreasing on the interval \((-6, 4)\).

Step 7 :\(\boxed{\text{The function is increasing on the intervals } (-\infty, -6) \text{ and } (4, \infty), \text{ and decreasing on the interval } (-6, 4).}\)

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