For a function to be increasing on an interval [1,2], the derivative must be non-negative throughout that interval.
Given: f(x)=2x2−kx+7
Taking the derivative:
f′(x)=4x−k
For f(x) to be increasing on [1,2]:
f′(x)≥0 for all x∈[1,2]
4x−k≥0
k≤4x
Since k≤4x must hold for all values of x in [1,2], k must be less than or equal to the minimum value of 4x on this interval.
The function 4x is increasing, so its minimum on [1,2] occurs at x=1:
4(1)=4
Therefore:
k≤4
The interval for k is (−∞,4].