Given that [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] is a strictly increasing function, meaning [tex]\( p < q \)[/tex] implies [tex]\( f(p) < f(q) \)[/tex], we must determine whether [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] can be classified as odd, even, both, or neither.
1. Definitions:
- Even function: A function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] is even if [tex]\( f(x) = f(-x) \)[/tex] for all [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. This symmetry implies that for every point [tex]\( (x, y) \)[/tex] on the graph, the point [tex]\( (-x, y) \)[/tex] is also on the graph.
- Odd function: A function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] is odd if [tex]\( f(x) = -f(-x) \)[/tex] for all [tex]\( x \)[/tex]. This symmetry implies that for every point [tex]\( (x, y) \)[/tex] on the graph, the point [tex]\( (-x, -y) \)[/tex] is also on the graph.
2. Analyzing strictly increasing functions:
A strictly increasing function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] implies that as [tex]\( x \)[/tex] increases, [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] consistently increases. There are no horizontal stretches where [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] remains constant.
3. Checking for evenness:
- For [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] to be even, [tex]\( f(x) = f(-x) \)[/tex]. However, since [tex]\( f \)[/tex] is strictly increasing, [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] must increase as [tex]\( x \)[/tex] increases, and by symmetry, it must increase as [tex]\( x \)[/tex] goes negative as well.
- If [tex]\( f(x) = f(-x) \)[/tex], then the function would need to remain constant at some points because if [tex]\( f(a) = f(-a) \)[/tex], [tex]\( a \)[/tex] and [tex]\( -a \)[/tex] should produce the same output while still increasing in either direction, hence breaking the strictly increasing property.
4. Checking for oddness:
- For [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] to be odd, [tex]\( f(x) = -f(-x) \)[/tex]. Given the strictly increasing nature of [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex], if [tex]\( f(a) = b\)[/tex] for some [tex]\( a > 0 \)[/tex], then for the function to be odd, [tex]\( f(-a) = -b \)[/tex].
- This would imply that as [tex]\( x \)[/tex] increases positively, [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] is positive increasing, and as [tex]\( x \)[/tex] increases negatively, [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] should be negative decreasing. Thus, there would be a point where [tex]\( f(0) \)[/tex] should equal zero to maintain symmetry, but this complicates the strictly increasing nature.
Conclusion:
Based on the definitions and attributes of strictly increasing functions, neither even nor odd properties can hold as they contradict the strictly increasing nature of [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex]. Thus, the function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] cannot be classified as being either odd or even.
Best Description:
The function [tex]\( f(x) \)[/tex] cannot be odd or even.
