Given:- Function

Theorem:- Let f be a differentiable real function defined on an open interval (a,b).

(i) If f’(x) > 0 for all , then f(x) is increasing on (a, b)

(ii) If f’(x) < 0 for all , then f(x) is decreasing on (a, b)

Algorithm:-

(i) Obtain the function and put it equal to f(x)

(ii) Find f’(x)

(iii) Put f’(x) > 0 and solve this inequation.

For the value of x obtained in (ii) f(x) is increasing and for remaining points in its domain it is decreasing.

Here we have,

⇒

⇒

⇒

As given x ∈ R , x ≠ 0

⇒

Their ratio is also greater than 0

⇒

⇒ ; as by applying –ve sign change in comparision sign

⇒ f’(x) < 0

Hence, condition for f(x) to be decreasing

Thus f(x) is decreasing for all x ≠ 0