Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
An increasing function is a function in which the values of the dependent variable increase as the values of the independent variable increase. In other words, as you move from left to right on the graph, the y-values go up.
A decreasing function is the opposite of an increasing function. It is a function in which the values of the dependent variable decrease as the values of the independent variable increase.
Monotonic Function: A monotonic function is either strictly increasing or strictly decreasing throughout its entire domain.
Local Maximum/Minimum: These are points on a graph where a function reaches its highest or lowest value within a specific interval but may not be true for the entire domain.