Monotone

• December 29th 2011, 01:27 AM
Schdero
Monotone
Is the function z=max(x,2y) monotone? I suppose it is monotone but not strictly montone, isn't it? Sry for posting this rather trivial question, but in our book the max function is described as not monotone, which seems rather weird to me.

Thanks
• December 29th 2011, 01:33 AM
FernandoRevilla
Re: Monotone
Quote:

Originally Posted by Schdero
Is the function z=max(x,2y) monotone?

What definition of monotone (or monotic) are you using for a function $f:\mathbb{R}^2\to \mathbb{R}$ ?
• December 29th 2011, 02:46 AM
Schdero
Re: Monotone
Quote:

Originally Posted by FernandoRevilla
What definition of monotone (or monotic) are you using for a function $f:\mathbb{R}^2\to \mathbb{R}$ ?

Are there various definitions? I thought if f(x)''>0 f(x) is strictly monotone, if f(x)''>=0 it is monotone (in both cases monotonely increasing to be exact). What alternative definition is widely accepted? My example is in a book on econometrics. The question is, whether or not the indifference curves of the utility u=max(x,2y) represent monotone preferences.
• December 29th 2011, 03:20 AM
FernandoRevilla
Re: Monotone
Quote:

Originally Posted by Schdero
Are there various definitions?

Look here:

Monotonic function - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Quote:

My example is in a book on econometrics. The question is, whether or not the indifference curves of the utility u=max(x,2y) represent monotone preferences
I'm sorry, in that case I'm afraid I can't help you. Perhaps another member, let's wait.
• December 29th 2011, 05:30 AM
HallsofIvy
Re: Monotone
Quote:

Originally Posted by Schdero
Are there various definitions? I thought if f(x)''>0 f(x) is strictly monotone, if f(x)''>=0 it is monotone (in both cases monotonely increasing to be exact). What alternative definition is widely accepted? My example is in a book on econometrics. The question is, whether or not the indifference curves of the utility u=max(x,2y) represent monotone preferences.

What you give, f''> 0, is not a definition but as property. A function is strictly monotone increasing if and only if whenever x< y, f(x)< f(y). But that requires an order on the argument of the function. And there is no standard order in two dimensions.