The interval in which the function $f ( x ) = x ^ { x } , x > 0$, is strictly increasing is
(1) $\left( 0 , \frac { 1 } { e } \right]$
(2) $( 0 , \infty )$
(3) $\left[ \frac { 1 } { e } , \infty \right)$
(4) $\left[ \frac { 1 } { e ^ { 2 } } , 1 \right)$

Let $\mathrm { g } ( \mathrm { x } ) = 3 \mathrm { f } ^ { \mathrm { x } } + \mathrm { f } ( 3 - \mathrm { x } )$ and $\mathrm { f } ^ { \prime \prime } ( \mathrm { x } ) > 0$ for all $\mathrm { x } \in ( 0,3 )$. If g is decreasing in ( $0 , \alpha$ ) and increasing in $( \alpha , 3 )$, then $8 \alpha$ is
(1) 24
(2) 0
(3) 18
(4) 20

For the function $f ( x ) = ( \cos x ) - x + 1 , x \in \mathbb { R }$, between the following two statements (S1) $f ( x ) = 0$ for only one value of $x$ in $[ 0 , \pi ]$. (S2) $f ( x )$ is decreasing in $\left[ 0 , \frac { \pi } { 2 } \right]$ and increasing in $\left[ \frac { \pi } { 2 } , \pi \right]$.
(1) Both (S1) and (S2) are correct.
(2) Both (S1) and (S2) are incorrect.
(3) Only (S2) is correct.
(4) Only (S1) is correct.

Let the set of all values of $p$, for which $f ( x ) = \left( p ^ { 2 } - 6 p + 8 \right) \left( \sin ^ { 2 } 2 x - \cos ^ { 2 } 2 x \right) + 2 ( 2 - p ) x + 7$ does not have any critical point, be the interval $( a , b )$. Then $16 a b$ is equal to $\_\_\_\_$

Let $(2, 3)$ be the largest open interval in which the function $f(x) = 2\log_{\mathrm{e}}(x - 2) - x^{2} + ax + 1$ is strictly increasing and $(\mathrm{b}, \mathrm{c})$ be the largest open interval, in which the function $\mathrm{g}(x) = (x - 1)^{3}(x + 2 - \mathrm{a})^{2}$ is strictly decreasing. Then $100(a + b - c)$ is equal to:
(1) 420
(2) 360
(3) 160
(4) 280

Consider vectors $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ on the coordinate plane satisfying $|\vec{a}| + |\vec{b}| = 9$ and $|\vec{a} - \vec{b}| = 7$. Let $|\vec{a}| = x$, where $1 < x < 8$, and let the angle between $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ be $\theta$. Using the triangle formed by vectors $\vec{a}$, $\vec{b}$, and $\vec{a} - \vec{b}$, we can express $\cos\theta$ in terms of $x$ as $f(x) = \frac{c}{9x - x^2} + d$, where $c$ and $d$ are constants with $c > 0$, with domain $\{x \mid 1 < x < 8\}$. Explain where $f(x)$ is increasing and decreasing in its domain. Determine the value of $x$ for which the angle $\theta$ between $\vec{a}$ and $\vec{b}$ is maximum. (Non-multiple choice question, 4 points)

Let $a$ and $b$ be real numbers. The function $f$ defined on the set of real numbers as
$$f(x) = x^{3} + 9x^{2} + ax + b$$
takes positive values on positive real numbers and negative values on negative real numbers.
What is the smallest integer value that $a$ can take?
A) 9 B) 13 C) 17 D) 21 E) 25

Let $a$ and $b$ be real numbers. The function $f$ defined as
$$f(x) = ax^{3} + bx^{2} + x + 7$$
is always increasing.
If $f(-1) = 0$, what is the sum of the different integer values that $b$ can take?
A) 11 B) 13 C) 15 D) 17 E) 19