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Given the function \( f(x) = x^4 - 30x^2 \), determine all intervals on which \( f \) is increasing.

Given the function \( f(x) = x^4 - 30x^2 \), determine all intervals on which \( f \) is increasing.

Answer

To find the intervals where the function \( f(x) = x^4 - 30x^2 \) is increasing, we need to find the derivative \( f'(x) \) and determine where it is positive.

  1. Find the derivative: \( f'(x) = 4x^3 - 60x \).
  2. Set the derivative equal to zero to find critical points: \( 4x^3 - 60x = 0 \).
  3. Factor the equation: \( 4x(x^2 - 15) = 0 \).
  4. Solve for \( x \): \( x = 0 \) or \( x = \pm\sqrt{15} \).
  5. Test intervals around the critical points to determine where \( f'(x) > 0 \):
    • For \( x < -\sqrt{15} \), choose \( x = -4 \): \( f'(-4) = 4(-4)^3 - 60(-4) = -256 + 240 = -16 \) (not increasing).
    • For \( -\sqrt{15} < x < 0 \), choose \( x = -1 \): \( f'(-1) = 4(-1)^3 - 60(-1) = -4 + 60 = 56 \) (increasing).
    • For \( 0 < x < \sqrt{15} \), choose \( x = 1 \): \( f'(1) = 4(1)^3 - 60(1) = 4 - 60 = -56 \) (not increasing).
    • For \( x > \sqrt{15} \), choose \( x = 4 \): \( f'(4) = 4(4)^3 - 60(4) = 256 - 240 = 16 \) (increasing).

Therefore, the function \( f(x) \) is increasing on the intervals \((-\sqrt{15}, 0)\) and \((\sqrt{15}, \infty)\).

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