Example

2x + 1
Consider the function f (x ) = . Find the critical points of f and the
x2 + 1
intervals on which f is increasing or decreasing. Use the …rst derivative
test to determine whether the critical points give local maxima or minima.

() January 1, 2021 1/3

Solution
2 x2 + 1 (2x + 1) 2x 2x 2 2x + 2
f 0 (x ) = 2
=
(x 2 + 1) (x 2 + 1)2
2 x2 + x 1
= 2
.
(x 2 + 1)
2
Since x 2 + 1 > 0 for all x, f 0 (x ) exists for all x.

() January 1, 2021 2/3

Solution
f 0 (x ) = 0 =) x 2 + x 1=0
p
1 5
=) x1,2 =
2
From …rst derivative test, f (x1 ) is a local minima and f (x2 ) is a local
maxima for f .

() January 1, 2021 3/3