$f'(x) = 3 x ^ { 2 } - \frac { 3 } { x ^ { 4 } }$
On putting $f'(x) = 0,$ we get,
$ 3 x ^ { 2 } - \frac { 3 } { x ^ { 4 } } = 0 \Rightarrow \frac { 3 x ^ { 6 } - 3 } { x ^ { 4 } } = 0$
$ \Rightarrow 3x^6 - 3 = 0 \Rightarrow 3x^6 = 3$
$ \Rightarrow x^6 = 1 \Rightarrow x = \pm1$
Now, we find intervals in whch $f(x)$ is strictly increasing or strictly decreasing.
| Interval | $f'(x) = \frac { 3 x ^ { 6 } - 3 } { x ^ { 4 } }$ | Sign of $f'(x)$ |
| $x <-1$ | $\frac { ( + ) } { ( + ) }$ | $+ve$ |
| $-1$ | $\frac { ( - ) } { ( + ) }$ | $-ve$ |
| $x > 1$ | $\frac { ( + ) } { ( + ) }$ | $+v$ |
Also, $f(x)$ is continuous at $x = 1 , -1.$
Hence, $f(x)$ is
- increasig on intervals $(- \infty, -1 ]$ and $[1, \infty).$
- decreasing on interval $[-1, 1]- \{0\}.$