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Nov 2019 p11 q2
1157
An increasing function, \(f\), is defined for \(x > n\), where \(n\) is an integer. It is given that \(f'(x) = x^2 - 6x + 8\). Find the least possible value of \(n\).
Solution
To find the least possible value of \(n\), we need \(f'(x) \geq 0\) for \(x > n\) because the function is increasing.
First, solve \(f'(x) = x^2 - 6x + 8 = 0\).
Factor the quadratic: \((x - 2)(x - 4) = 0\).
The roots are \(x = 2\) and \(x = 4\).
The quadratic \(x^2 - 6x + 8\) is positive for \(x < 2\) and \(x > 4\).
Since the function is increasing for \(x > n\), the least integer \(n\) such that \(f'(x) \geq 0\) is \(n = 4\).