Calculus Examples

$f (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} (x - 4)$

Step 1

Find the first derivative.

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Step 1.1

Find the first derivative.

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Step 1.1.1

Differentiate using the Product Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [f (x) g (x)]$ is $f (x) \frac{d}{d x} [g (x)] + g (x) \frac{d}{d x} [f (x)]$ where $f (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ and $g (x) = x - 4$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} \frac{d}{d x} (x - 4) + (x - 4) \frac{d}{d x} (x^{\frac{1}{3}})$

Step 1.1.2

Differentiate.

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Step 1.1.2.1

By the Sum Rule, the derivative of $x - 4$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{d}{d x} [x] + \frac{d}{d x} [- 4]$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} (\frac{d}{d x} (x) + \frac{d}{d x} (- 4)) + (x - 4) \frac{d}{d x} (x^{\frac{1}{3}})$

Step 1.1.2.2

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = 1$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} (1 + \frac{d}{d x} (- 4)) + (x - 4) \frac{d}{d x} (x^{\frac{1}{3}})$

Step 1.1.2.3

Since $- 4$ is constant with respect to $x$ , the derivative of $- 4$ with respect to $x$ is $0$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} (1 + 0) + (x - 4) \frac{d}{d x} (x^{\frac{1}{3}})$

Step 1.1.2.4

Simplify the expression.

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Step 1.1.2.4.1

Add $1$ and $0$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} \cdot 1 + (x - 4) \frac{d}{d x} (x^{\frac{1}{3}})$

Step 1.1.2.4.2

Multiply $x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ by $1$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) \frac{d}{d x} (x^{\frac{1}{3}})$

Step 1.1.2.5

Differentiate using the Power Rule which states that $\frac{d}{d x} [x^{n}]$ is $n x^{n - 1}$ where $n = \frac{1}{3}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3} x^{\frac{1}{3} - 1})$

Step 1.1.3

To write $- 1$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3} x^{\frac{1}{3} - 1 \cdot \frac{3}{3}})$

Step 1.1.4

Combine $- 1$ and $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3} x^{\frac{1}{3} + \frac{- 1 \cdot 3}{3}})$

Step 1.1.5

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3} x^{\frac{1 - 1 \cdot 3}{3}})$

Step 1.1.6

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 1.1.6.1

Multiply $- 1$ by $3$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3} x^{\frac{1 - 3}{3}})$

Step 1.1.6.2

Subtract $3$ from $1$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3} x^{\frac{- 2}{3}})$

Step 1.1.7

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3} x^{- \frac{2}{3}})$

Step 1.1.8

Combine $\frac{1}{3}$ and $x^{- \frac{2}{3}}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{x^{- \frac{2}{3}}}{3})$

Step 1.1.9

Move $x^{- \frac{2}{3}}$ to the denominator using the negative exponent rule $b^{- n} = \frac{1}{b^{n}}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + (x - 4) (\frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}})$

Step 1.1.10

Simplify.

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Step 1.1.10.1

Apply the distributive property.

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + x (\frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}) - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2

Combine terms.

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Step 1.1.10.2.1

Combine $x$ and $\frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.2

Move $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ to the numerator using the negative exponent rule $\frac{1}{b^{n}} = b^{- n}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x \cdot x^{- \frac{2}{3}}}{3} - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.3

Multiply $x$ by $x^{- \frac{2}{3}}$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 1.1.10.2.3.1

Multiply $x$ by $x^{- \frac{2}{3}}$ .

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Step 1.1.10.2.3.1.1

Raise $x$ to the power of $1$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x \cdot x^{- \frac{2}{3}}}{3} - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.3.1.2

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x^{1 - \frac{2}{3}}}{3} - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.3.2

Write $1$ as a fraction with a common denominator.

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x^{\frac{3}{3} - \frac{2}{3}}}{3} - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.3.3

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x^{\frac{3 - 2}{3}}}{3} - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.3.4

Subtract $2$ from $3$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - 4 \frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.4

Combine $- 4$ and $\frac{1}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} + \frac{- 4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.5

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} + \frac{x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.6

To write $x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (x) = x^{\frac{1}{3}} \cdot \frac{3}{3} + \frac{x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.7

Combine $x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ and $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (x) = \frac{x^{\frac{1}{3}} \cdot 3}{3} + \frac{x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.8

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (x) = \frac{x^{\frac{1}{3}} \cdot 3 + x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.9

Move $3$ to the left of $x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ .

$f' (x) = \frac{3 \cdot x^{\frac{1}{3}} + x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.1.10.2.10

Add $3 x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ and $x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ .

$f' (x) = \frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 1.2

The first derivative of $f (x)$ with respect to $x$ is $\frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$ .

$\frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 2

Set the first derivative equal to $0$ then solve the equation $\frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} = 0$ .

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Step 2.1

Set the first derivative equal to $0$ .

$\frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} = 0$

Step 2.2

Find the LCD of the terms in the equation.

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Step 2.2.1

Finding the LCD of a list of values is the same as finding the LCM of the denominators of those values.

$3, 3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}, 1$

Step 2.2.2

Since $3, 3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}, 1$ contains both numbers and variables, there are two steps to find the LCM. Find LCM for the numeric part $3, 3, 1$ then find LCM for the variable part $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ .

Step 2.2.3

The LCM is the smallest positive number that all of the numbers divide into evenly.

1. List the prime factors of each number.

2. Multiply each factor the greatest number of times it occurs in either number.

Step 2.2.4

Since $3$ has no factors besides $1$ and $3$ .

$3$ is a prime number

Step 2.2.5

The number $1$ is not a prime number because it only has one positive factor, which is itself.

Not prime

Step 2.2.6

The LCM of $3, 3, 1$ is the result of multiplying all prime factors the greatest number of times they occur in either number.

$3$

Step 2.2.7

The LCM of $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ is the result of multiplying all prime factors the greatest number of times they occur in either term.

$x^{\frac{2}{3}}$

Step 2.2.8

The LCM for $3, 3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}, 1$ is the numeric part $3$ multiplied by the variable part.

$3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}$

Step 2.3

Multiply each term in $\frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} = 0$ by $3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ to eliminate the fractions.

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Step 2.3.1

Multiply each term in $\frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} = 0$ by $3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ .

$\frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2

Simplify the left side.

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Step 2.3.2.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 2.3.2.1.1

Rewrite using the commutative property of multiplication.

$3 \frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} x^{\frac{2}{3}} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.2

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

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Step 2.3.2.1.2.1

Cancel the common factor.

$3 \frac{4 x^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} x^{\frac{2}{3}} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.2.2

Rewrite the expression.

$4 x^{\frac{1}{3}} x^{\frac{2}{3}} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.3

Multiply $x^{\frac{1}{3}}$ by $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ by adding the exponents.

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Step 2.3.2.1.3.1

Move $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ .

$4 (x^{\frac{2}{3}} x^{\frac{1}{3}}) - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.3.2

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$4 x^{\frac{2}{3} + \frac{1}{3}} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.3.3

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$4 x^{\frac{2 + 1}{3}} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.3.4

Add $2$ and $1$ .

$4 x^{\frac{3}{3}} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.3.5

Divide $3$ by $3$ .

$4 x^{1} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.4

Simplify $4 x^{1}$ .

$4 x - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.5

Cancel the common factor of $3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ .

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Step 2.3.2.1.5.1

Move the leading negative in $- \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$ into the numerator.

$4 x + \frac{- 4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.5.2

Cancel the common factor.

$4 x + \frac{- 4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}} (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}) = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.2.1.5.3

Rewrite the expression.

$4 x - 4 = 0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$

Step 2.3.3

Simplify the right side.

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Step 2.3.3.1

Multiply $0 (3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})$ .

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Step 2.3.3.1.1

Multiply $3$ by $0$ .

$4 x - 4 = 0 x^{\frac{2}{3}}$

Step 2.3.3.1.2

Multiply $0$ by $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ .

$4 x - 4 = 0$

Step 2.4

Solve the equation.

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Step 2.4.1

Add $4$ to both sides of the equation.

$4 x = 4$

Step 2.4.2

Divide each term in $4 x = 4$ by $4$ and simplify.

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Step 2.4.2.1

Divide each term in $4 x = 4$ by $4$ .

$\frac{4 x}{4} = \frac{4}{4}$

Step 2.4.2.2

Simplify the left side.

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Step 2.4.2.2.1

Cancel the common factor of $4$ .

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Step 2.4.2.2.1.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{4 x}{4} = \frac{4}{4}$

Step 2.4.2.2.1.2

Divide $x$ by $1$ .

$x = \frac{4}{4}$

Step 2.4.2.3

Simplify the right side.

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Step 2.4.2.3.1

Divide $4$ by $4$ .

$x = 1$

Step 3

The values which make the derivative equal to $0$ are $1$ .

$1$

Step 4

Find where the derivative is undefined.

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Step 4.1

Convert expressions with fractional exponents to radicals.

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Step 4.1.1

Apply the rule $x^{\frac{m}{n}} = \sqrt[n]{x^{m}}$ to rewrite the exponentiation as a radical.

$\frac{4 \sqrt[3]{x^{1}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 4.1.2

Apply the rule $x^{\frac{m}{n}} = \sqrt[n]{x^{m}}$ to rewrite the exponentiation as a radical.

$\frac{4 \sqrt[3]{x^{1}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 \sqrt[3]{x^{2}}}$

Step 4.1.3

Anything raised to $1$ is the base itself.

$\frac{4 \sqrt[3]{x}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 \sqrt[3]{x^{2}}}$

Step 4.2

Set the denominator in $\frac{4}{3 \sqrt[3]{x^{2}}}$ equal to $0$ to find where the expression is undefined.

$3 \sqrt[3]{x^{2}} = 0$

Step 4.3

Solve for $x$ .

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Step 4.3.1

To remove the radical on the left side of the equation, cube both sides of the equation.

${(3 \sqrt[3]{x^{2}})}^{3} = 0^{3}$

Step 4.3.2

Simplify each side of the equation.

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Step 4.3.2.1

Use $\sqrt[n]{a^{x}} = a^{\frac{x}{n}}$ to rewrite $\sqrt[3]{x^{2}}$ as $x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ .

${(3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})}^{3} = 0^{3}$

Step 4.3.2.2

Simplify the left side.

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Step 4.3.2.2.1

Simplify ${(3 x^{\frac{2}{3}})}^{3}$ .

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Step 4.3.2.2.1.1

Apply the product rule to $3 x^{\frac{2}{3}}$ .

$3^{3} {(x^{\frac{2}{3}})}^{3} = 0^{3}$

Step 4.3.2.2.1.2

Raise $3$ to the power of $3$ .

$27 {(x^{\frac{2}{3}})}^{3} = 0^{3}$

Step 4.3.2.2.1.3

Multiply the exponents in ${(x^{\frac{2}{3}})}^{3}$ .

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Step 4.3.2.2.1.3.1

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$27 x^{\frac{2}{3} \cdot 3} = 0^{3}$

Step 4.3.2.2.1.3.2

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

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Step 4.3.2.2.1.3.2.1

Cancel the common factor.

$27 x^{\frac{2}{3} \cdot 3} = 0^{3}$

Step 4.3.2.2.1.3.2.2

Rewrite the expression.

$27 x^{2} = 0^{3}$

Step 4.3.2.3

Simplify the right side.

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Step 4.3.2.3.1

Raising $0$ to any positive power yields $0$ .

$27 x^{2} = 0$

Step 4.3.3

Solve for $x$ .

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Step 4.3.3.1

Divide each term in $27 x^{2} = 0$ by $27$ and simplify.

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Step 4.3.3.1.1

Divide each term in $27 x^{2} = 0$ by $27$ .

$\frac{27 x^{2}}{27} = \frac{0}{27}$

Step 4.3.3.1.2

Simplify the left side.

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Step 4.3.3.1.2.1

Cancel the common factor of $27$ .

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Step 4.3.3.1.2.1.1

Cancel the common factor.

$\frac{27 x^{2}}{27} = \frac{0}{27}$

Step 4.3.3.1.2.1.2

Divide $x^{2}$ by $1$ .

$x^{2} = \frac{0}{27}$

Step 4.3.3.1.3

Simplify the right side.

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Step 4.3.3.1.3.1

Divide $0$ by $27$ .

$x^{2} = 0$

Step 4.3.3.2

Take the specified root of both sides of the equation to eliminate the exponent on the left side.

$x = \pm \sqrt{0}$

Step 4.3.3.3

Simplify $\pm \sqrt{0}$ .

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Step 4.3.3.3.1

Rewrite $0$ as $0^{2}$ .

$x = \pm \sqrt{0^{2}}$

Step 4.3.3.3.2

Pull terms out from under the radical, assuming positive real numbers.

$x = \pm 0$

Step 4.3.3.3.3

Plus or minus $0$ is $0$ .

$x = 0$

Step 5

Split $(- \infty, \infty)$ into separate intervals around the $x$ values that make the derivative $0$ or undefined.

$(- \infty, 0) \cup (0, 1) \cup (1, \infty)$

Step 6

Substitute a value from the interval $(- \infty, 0)$ into the derivative to determine if the function is increasing or decreasing.

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Step 6.1

Replace the variable $x$ with $- 1$ in the expression.

$f' (- 1) = \frac{4 {(- 1)}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2

Simplify the result.

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Step 6.2.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 6.2.1.1

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 6.2.1.1.1

Rewrite $- 1$ as ${(- 1)}^{3}$ .

$f' (- 1) = \frac{4 {({(- 1)}^{3})}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.1.2

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$f' (- 1) = \frac{4 {(- 1)}^{3 (\frac{1}{3})}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.1.3

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

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Step 6.2.1.1.3.1

Cancel the common factor.

$f' (- 1) = \frac{4 {(- 1)}^{3 (\frac{1}{3})}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.1.3.2

Rewrite the expression.

$f' (- 1) = \frac{4 (- 1)}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.1.4

Evaluate the exponent.

$f' (- 1) = \frac{4 \cdot - 1}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.2

Multiply $4$ by $- 1$ .

$f' (- 1) = \frac{- 4}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.3

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{4}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.4

Simplify the denominator.

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Step 6.2.1.4.1

Rewrite $- 1$ as ${(- 1)}^{3}$ .

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{4}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {({(- 1)}^{3})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 6.2.1.4.2

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{4}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{3 (\frac{2}{3})}}$

Step 6.2.1.4.3

Cancel the common factor of $3$ .

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Step 6.2.1.4.3.1

Cancel the common factor.

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{4}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{3 (\frac{2}{3})}}$

Step 6.2.1.4.3.2

Rewrite the expression.

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{4}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(- 1)}^{2}}$

Step 6.2.1.4.4

Raise $- 1$ to the power of $2$ .

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{4}{3} - \frac{4}{3 \cdot 1}$

Step 6.2.1.5

Multiply $3$ by $1$ .

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{4}{3} - \frac{4}{3}$

Step 6.2.2

Combine fractions.

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Step 6.2.2.1

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (- 1) = \frac{- 4 - 4}{3}$

Step 6.2.2.2

Simplify the expression.

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Step 6.2.2.2.1

Subtract $4$ from $- 4$ .

$f' (- 1) = \frac{- 8}{3}$

Step 6.2.2.2.2

Move the negative in front of the fraction.

$f' (- 1) = - \frac{8}{3}$

Step 6.2.3

The final answer is $- \frac{8}{3}$ .

$- \frac{8}{3}$

Step 6.3

At $x = - 1$ the derivative is $- \frac{8}{3}$ . Since this is negative, the function is decreasing on $(- \infty, 0)$ .

Decreasing on $(- \infty, 0)$ since $f' (x) < 0$

Step 7

Substitute a value from the interval $(0, 1)$ into the derivative to determine if the function is increasing or decreasing.

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Step 7.1

Replace the variable $x$ with $\frac{1}{2}$ in the expression.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{4 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2

Simplify the result.

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Step 7.2.1

Simplify each term.

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Step 7.2.1.1

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 7.2.1.1.1

Rewrite $4$ as $2^{2}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2} {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.2

Rewrite $\frac{1}{2}$ as $2^{- 1}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2} {(2^{- 1})}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.3

Raise $2$ to the power of $1$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2} {({(2)}^{- 1})}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.4

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2} {(2^{1 \cdot - 1})}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.5

Multiply $- 1$ by $1$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2} {(2^{- 1})}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.6

Apply the power rule and multiply exponents, ${(a^{m})}^{n} = a^{m n}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2} \cdot 2^{- \frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.7

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2 - \frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.8

To write $2$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{2 \cdot \frac{3}{3} - \frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.9

Combine $2$ and $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{2 \cdot 3}{3} - \frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.10

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{2 \cdot 3 - 1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.11

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 7.2.1.1.11.1

Multiply $2$ by $3$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{6 - 1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.1.11.2

Subtract $1$ from $6$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(\frac{1}{2})}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 7.2.1.2

Simplify the denominator.

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Step 7.2.1.2.1

Apply the product rule to $\frac{1}{2}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 (\frac{1^{\frac{2}{3}}}{2^{\frac{2}{3}}})}$

Step 7.2.1.2.2

One to any power is one.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 (\frac{1}{2^{\frac{2}{3}}})}$

Step 7.2.1.3

Combine $3$ and $\frac{1}{2^{\frac{2}{3}}}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{\frac{3}{2^{\frac{2}{3}}}}$

Step 7.2.1.4

Multiply the numerator by the reciprocal of the denominator.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - (4 (\frac{2^{\frac{2}{3}}}{3}))$

Step 7.2.1.5

Multiply $4 \frac{2^{\frac{2}{3}}}{3}$ .

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Step 7.2.1.5.1

Combine $4$ and $\frac{2^{\frac{2}{3}}}{3}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4 \cdot 2^{\frac{2}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.1.5.2

Rewrite $4$ as $2^{2}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{2^{2} \cdot 2^{\frac{2}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.1.5.3

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{2^{2 + \frac{2}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.1.5.4

To write $2$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{2^{2 \cdot \frac{3}{3} + \frac{2}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.1.5.5

Combine $2$ and $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{2^{\frac{2 \cdot 3}{3} + \frac{2}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.1.5.6

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{2^{\frac{2 \cdot 3 + 2}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.1.5.7

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 7.2.1.5.7.1

Multiply $2$ by $3$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{2^{\frac{6 + 2}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.1.5.7.2

Add $6$ and $2$ .

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}}}{3} - \frac{2^{\frac{8}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.2

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (\frac{1}{2}) = \frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}} - 2^{\frac{8}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.2.3

The final answer is $\frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}} - 2^{\frac{8}{3}}}{3}$ .

$\frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}} - 2^{\frac{8}{3}}}{3}$

Step 7.3

At $x = \frac{1}{2}$ the derivative is $\frac{2^{\frac{5}{3}} - 2^{\frac{8}{3}}}{3}$ . Since this is negative, the function is decreasing on $(0, 1)$ .

Decreasing on $(0, 1)$ since $f' (x) < 0$

Step 8

Substitute a value from the interval $(1, \infty)$ into the derivative to determine if the function is increasing or decreasing.

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Step 8.1

Replace the variable $x$ with $2$ in the expression.

$f' (2) = \frac{4 {(2)}^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2

Simplify the result.

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Step 8.2.1

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 8.2.1.1

Rewrite $4$ as $2^{2}$ .

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{2} \cdot 2^{\frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2.1.2

Use the power rule $a^{m} a^{n} = a^{m + n}$ to combine exponents.

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{2 + \frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2.1.3

To write $2$ as a fraction with a common denominator, multiply by $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{2 \cdot \frac{3}{3} + \frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2.1.4

Combine $2$ and $\frac{3}{3}$ .

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{\frac{2 \cdot 3}{3} + \frac{1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2.1.5

Combine the numerators over the common denominator.

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{\frac{2 \cdot 3 + 1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2.1.6

Simplify the numerator.

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Step 8.2.1.6.1

Multiply $2$ by $3$ .

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{\frac{6 + 1}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2.1.6.2

Add $6$ and $1$ .

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{\frac{7}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 {(2)}^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

$f' (2) = \frac{2^{\frac{7}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 \cdot 2^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.2.2

The final answer is $\frac{2^{\frac{7}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 \cdot 2^{\frac{2}{3}}}$ .

$\frac{2^{\frac{7}{3}}}{3} - \frac{4}{3 \cdot 2^{\frac{2}{3}}}$

Step 8.3

Simplify.

$0.83994736$

Step 8.4

At $x = 2$ the derivative is $0.83994736$ . Since this is positive, the function is increasing on $(1, \infty)$ .

Increasing on $(1, \infty)$ since $f' (x) > 0$

Step 9

List the intervals on which the function is increasing and decreasing.

Increasing on: $(1, \infty)$

Decreasing on: $(- \infty, 0), (0, 1)$

Step 10