Question

If f(x) = -(1/x^3) and x takes on successive values from -10 to 0.1 ,

a) f(x) increases throughout
b) f(x) decreases throughout
c) f(x) increases, then decreases
d) f(x) decreases, then increases

Answer 1

Alright, this one is a little interesting... Let's perform some tests to figure out what is happening:
f(-10) = -(1/(-10)^3) = -(1/-1000) = 1/1000 (positive)
f(-5) = -(1/(-5)^3) = -(1/-125) = 1/125 (positive, bigger than the last one)
f(-1) = -(1/(-1)^3) = -(1/-1) = 1 (positive, bigger than the last one)
f(-0.1) = -(1/(-0.1)^3) = -(1/-0.001) = 1/0.001 = 1000 (positive, bigger than the last one)
f(0) = -(1/0^3) = undefined!
f(0.1) = -(1/(0.1)^3) = -(1/0.001) = -1/0.001 = -1000 (negative)
f(1) = -(1/1^3) = -(1/1) = -1 (negative, but bigger than last one)

It's a little confusing with the undefined part at x = 0. What I can say is this, it is increasing from -10 up to 0, something weird happens at 0 and it resets, and starts increasing from 0 up to 0.1.

I guess A would be the best answer?