Nonzero derivative implies function is strictly increasing or decreasing on some interval Let $f$ be a differentiable function on open interval $(a,b)$. Suppose $f'(x)$ is not identically zero. Show that there exists an subinterval $(c,d)$ such that $f(x)$ is strictly increasing or strictly decreasing on $(c,d)$.
How to prove this?
I think this statement is wrong...

The statement is indeed wrong.  You can construct for example a function $f:\mathbb{R} \rightarrow\mathbb{R}$ which is differentiable everywhere such that both $\{x \in \mathbb{R} : f'(x) > 0\}$ and $\{x \in \mathbb{R} : f'(x) < 0\}$ are dense in $\mathbb R$ and thus $f$ is monotone on no interval.  You can find such a construction on page 80 of A Second Course on Real Functions by van Rooij and Schikhof.  See also here.
