Examples with solutions for Positive and Negative Domains: Representation of missing b value

Exercise #1

Look at the function below:

y=5x210 y=-5x^2-10

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve this step-by-step.

  • First, identify the key features of the parabola represented by y=5x210 y = -5x^2 - 10 . It is a downward-opening parabola because the coefficient of x2 x^2 , which is -5, is negative.
  • Since the parabola opens downwards, the vertex provides the highest point on the graph. The general formula for the vertex x x -coordinate of the quadratic function ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c is b2a-\frac{b}{2a}. However, as mentioned, b=0 b = 0 , so the vertex is at x=0 x = 0 .
  • Substitute x=0 x = 0 back into the function to find the y y -coordinate of the vertex:
    y=5(0)210=10 y = -5(0)^2 - 10 = -10 .
  • This implies that the entire parabola is situated below the y-axis since the maximum value (vertex) is -10, which is already less than zero.
  • Thus, the function f(x)=5x210 f(x) = -5x^2 - 10 is always less than zero for all x x . This is because the vertex, the highest point, is also negative, and it only opens downward from there.

Therefore, the solution to the problem is that f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 for all values of x x .

Answer

All values of x x

Exercise #2

Look at the function below:

y=3x29 y=-3x^2-9

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)>0 f(x) > 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, let's analyze the function f(x)=3x29 f(x) = -3x^2 - 9 and determine when it is greater than zero.

The function is a quadratic equation of the form ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c where a=3 a = -3 , b=0 b = 0 , and c=9 c = -9 .

Our task is to find when 3x29>0 -3x^2 - 9 > 0 .

Step 1: Rewrite the inequality:
3x29>0 -3x^2 - 9 > 0

Step 2: Add 9 to both sides to isolate the quadratic term:
3x2>9 -3x^2 > 9

Step 3: Divide through by -3 (note that dividing by a negative flips the inequality sign):
x2<3 x^2 < -3

Step 4: Analyze x2<3 x^2 < -3

A square of a real number x2 x^2 is always non-negative, meaning x20 x^2 \geq 0 . Therefore, x2<3 x^2 < -3 is impossible since there are no real values of x x such that the square of x x is a negative number.

Conclusion: The inequality f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 has no real solutions. Therefore, no values of x x satisfy the inequality.

The correct answer is that no values of x x will make f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 .

Answer

No values of x x

Exercise #3

Look at the function below:

y=5x210 y=-5x^2-10

Then determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)>0 f\left(x\right) > 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to analyze the quadratic function given by:

1. Step 1: Find the vertex of the parabola.
The formula for a quadratic function is y=ax2+bx+c y = ax^2 + bx + c . For our function, a=5 a = -5 , b=0 b = 0 , c=10 c = -10 .
Since b=0 b = 0 , the x-coordinate of the vertex is x=0 x = 0 .

2. Step 2: Calculate the y-coordinate of the vertex.
Substitute x=0 x = 0 into the function:
y=5(0)210=10 y = -5(0)^2 - 10 = -10 .

3. Step 3: Analyze the parabola.
The vertex is at (0, -10). Since the vertex itself is below the x-axis and the parabola opens downwards (given by a<0 a < 0 ), the entire parabola is below the x-axis.

As a result, there are no values of x x for which the function y=5x210 y = -5x^2 - 10 is greater than 0.

Therefore, the correct answer to the problem is that there are no values of x x .

Answer

No values of x x

Exercise #4

Given the function:

y=3x29 y=-3x^2-9

Determine for which values of x the following holds:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

Given the quadratic function f(x)=3x29 f(x) = -3x^2 - 9 , we want to determine when f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .

First, observe that the function is a downward-opening parabola because the coefficient of x2 x^2 is negative (3-3). This means the parabola opens downwards.

To find when the parabola is below the x-axis (f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 ), we should first check whether there are any real roots, since this implies crossing the x-axis.

The function f(x)=3x29 f(x) = -3x^2 - 9 is reformulated as:

0=3x29 0 = -3x^2 - 9 .

To find the roots, rearrange and solve:

3x2=9-3x^2 = 9 or x2=3 x^2 = -3.

Since x2=3 x^2 = -3 yields no real solutions (as no real number squared equals a negative), there are no x-intercepts.

This indicates the parabola does not cross the x-axis and is entirely below it (since it opens downward and has no real roots).

Thus, the function f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 for all real values of x x .

Therefore, the condition f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 is satisfied for all x, meaning the correct choice is:

All x

.

Answer

All x

Exercise #5

Given the function:

y=4x2+100 y=4x^2+100

Determine for which values of x the following holds:

f(x)>0 f\left(x\right) > 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine for which values of x x the function y=4x2+100 y = 4x^2 + 100 is greater than 0, we analyze the structure of the quadratic equation:

The function is y=4x2+100 y = 4x^2 + 100 , where 4x2 4x^2 is always non-negative for any real number x x because squaring any real number gives a non-negative result, and multiplying by a positive constant (4) remains non-negative.

The constant term in the function is 100 100 , which is positive. Therefore, the smallest value 4x2 4x^2 can take is 0 (when x=0 x = 0 ), making the minimum value of the function y=024+100=100 y = 0^2*4 + 100 = 100 .

Since y=4x2+100 y = 4x^2 + 100 is always greater than 0 0 , for all values of x x , this quadratic function never reaches 0 0 or becomes negative.

In conclusion, the function y=4x2+100 y = 4x^2 + 100 is positive for all values of x x .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is All x x .

Answer

All x

Exercise #6

Given the function:

y=4x2+100 y=4x^2+100

Determine for which values of x the following holds:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve for the values of x x where y=4x2+100<0 y = 4x^2 + 100 < 0 , follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Analyze the given function y=4x2+100 y = 4x^2 + 100 .
  • Step 2: Recognize that the quadratic function is in the standard form y=ax2+bx+c y = ax^2 + bx + c with a=4 a = 4 , b=0 b = 0 , and c=100 c = 100 .
  • Step 3: Note that since the coefficient of x2 x^2 (i.e., a=4 a = 4 ) is positive, the parabola opens upwards.
  • Step 4: The vertex of the parabola, which occurs at the minimum point x=b2a=0 x = -\frac{b}{2a} = 0 , gives the minimum function value y=4(0)2+100=100 y = 4(0)^2 + 100 = 100 .

Since the minimum value of the function is y=100 y = 100 , which is greater than zero, the function never reaches below zero. Hence, there are no x x values for which the function f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .

Therefore, the solution is No x.

Answer

No x

Exercise #7

Given the function:

y=2x2+16 y=2x^2+16

Determine for which values of x the following holds: f(x)<0 f(x) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, consider the function y=2x2+16 y = 2x^2 + 16 . Our objective is to find values of x x for which y<0 y < 0 .

The function, y=2x2+16 y = 2x^2 + 16 , is a quadratic function in standard form. Here, a=2 a = 2 , b=0 b = 0 , and c=16 c = 16 .

  • Step 1: Determine the Vertex
    Since the quadratic is in the form y=ax2+bx+c y = ax^2 + bx + c , with a>0 a > 0 , it opens upwards. Therefore, its vertex represents the minimum point. The x-coordinate of the vertex is given by x=b2a=04=0 x = \frac{-b}{2a} = \frac{0}{4} = 0 . Substituting x=0 x = 0 into the function provides y=2(0)2+16=16 y = 2(0)^2 + 16 = 16 .
  • Step 2: Analyze the Discriminant
    The discriminant D=b24ac=024×2×16=128 D = b^2 - 4ac = 0^2 - 4 \times 2 \times 16 = -128 . Since D<0 D < 0 , the quadratic has no real roots, meaning it does not cross the x-axis. Instead, it remains entirely above the x-axis.

Since the discriminant is negative, the function has no real roots, confirming that the quadratic function never takes a value below zero. The vertex is at y=16 y = 16 , which is above zero, indicating all function values are positive.

Therefore, the function y=2x2+16 y = 2x^2 + 16 is never less than zero, implying that there are no values of x x for which y<0 y < 0 .

Hence, the solution is No x.

Answer

No x

Exercise #8

Given the function:

y=2x2+6 y=2x^2+6

Determine for which values of x is f(x)>0 f\left(x\right) > 0 true

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, let's analyze the quadratic function y=2x2+6 y = 2x^2 + 6 :

  • The function y=2x2+6 y = 2x^2 + 6 is a parabola opening upwards because the coefficient of x2 x^2 is positive (a=2 a = 2 ).
  • A parabola that opens upwards has its vertex as the lowest point.
  • Since the function is in the form y=ax2+c y = ax^2 + c with no x x term, there are no real roots (our function has no b b term, hence no rotations impacting x-intercepts).
  • We evaluate f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 : Since the constant term c=6 c = 6 is positive, this defines a vertical shift of the parabola entirely above the x-axis.
  • This implies y=2x2+6 y = 2x^2 + 6 is always greater than zero for any value of x x .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is all x.

Answer

All x

Exercise #9

Given the function:

y=x2+16 y=x^2+16

Determine for which values of x f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 holds

Step-by-Step Solution

We start by considering the function given: y=x2+16 y = x^2 + 16 . Our task is to find the values of x x making f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 , i.e., x2+16<0 x^2 + 16 < 0 .

Let's analyze the expression:

  • The square of any real number x x , denoted as x2 x^2 , is always non-negative. Thus, x20 x^2 \geq 0 for all xR x \in \mathbb{R} .
  • Adding 16 to a non-negative number (like x2 x^2 ) results in a number that is at least 16, i.e., x2+1616 x^2 + 16 \geq 16 .

Thus, the expression x2+16 x^2 + 16 is always at least 16, and there are no x x values for which y<0 y < 0 .

The solution is that there are No x values where f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .

Hence, option 4 is correct: No x.

Answer

No x

Exercise #10

Given the function:

y=x2+16 y=x^2+16

Determine for which values of x is f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 true

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of determining for which values of x x the function y=x2+16 y = x^2 + 16 is positive, we proceed as follows:

Step 1: Analyze the function y=x2+16 y = x^2 + 16 .
The expression x2 x^2 is non-negative (i.e., x20 x^2 \geq 0 ) for all real numbers x x . Therefore, the smallest value x2 x^2 can take is 0.

Step 2: Evaluate the function at its minimum value.
Substituting the minimum value of x2 x^2 into the function gives us:

y=x2+16=0+16=16 y = x^2 + 16 = 0 + 16 = 16 .

Step 3: Determine for which x x the function is positive.
Since the minimum value of the function is 16, which is greater than 0, the function y=x2+16 y = x^2 + 16 is greater than 0 for all real numbers x x .

Thus, the solution to the problem is that the function is positive for all x x .

Answer

All x

Exercise #11

Look at the following function:

y=x2+49 y=-x^2+49

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

The solution to the problem involves finding the values of x x where the function y=x2+49 y = -x^2 + 49 is less than zero. Since it is a downward-opening parabola, its intercepts tell us where the function changes sign.

To start, solve for f(x)=0 f(x) = 0 :

x2+49=0 -x^2 + 49 = 0

Add x2 x^2 to both sides:

x2=49 x^2 = 49

Take the square root of both sides:

x=±7 x = \pm 7

These solutions x=7 x = 7 and x=7 x = -7 are the x-intercepts of the parabola. Because the parabola opens downwards, the function is negative outside this interval.

Thus, the function f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 for the intervals:

  • x>7 x > 7
  • x<7 x < -7

Therefore, the solution to the problem is:

x>7 x > 7 or x<7 x < -7

Answer

x>7 x > 7 or x<7 x < -7

Exercise #12

Given the function:

y=x2+49 y=-x^{2}+49

Determine for which values of x the following is true: f(x)>0 f\left(x\right) > 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine for which values of x x the function f(x)=x2+49 f(x) = -x^2 + 49 is positive, we solve the inequality:

x2+49>0 -x^2 + 49 > 0

We start by finding the roots of the associated quadratic equation:

x2+49=0 -x^2 + 49 = 0

This can be rewritten as:

x2=49 x^2 = 49

Solving for x x , we have:

x=±7 x = \pm 7

The roots are x=7 x = 7 and x=7 x = -7 . These points are where the parabola intersects the x-axis. Since the parabola opens downwards (as the coefficient of x2 x^2 is negative), the function is positive between the roots.

Therefore, the function f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 over the interval:

7<x<7 -7 < x < 7

Thus, the correct choice is:

7<x<7 -7 < x < 7

Answer

7<x<7 -7 < x < 7

Exercise #13

Look at the following function:

y=3x227 y=3x^2-27

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of finding the values of x x for which y=3x227<0 y = 3x^2 - 27 < 0 , we start by solving the equation 3x227=0 3x^2 - 27 = 0 :

Step 1: Solve the equation 3x227=0 3x^2 - 27 = 0 .

  • Rearrange the equation as 3x2=27 3x^2 = 27 .
  • Divide both sides by 3 to simplify: x2=9 x^2 = 9 .
  • Take the square root of both sides: x=±3 x = \pm 3 .

The solutions x=3 x = 3 and x=3 x = -3 are the roots of the quadratic function. This means the function transitions from negative to non-negative (and vice versa) at these points.

Step 2: Analyze the intervals defined by the roots.

  • The potential intervals of interest are x<3 x < -3 , 3<x<3 -3 < x < 3 , and x>3 x > 3 .

Since the quadratic is a parabola opening upwards (coefficient of x2 x^2 is positive), the function y=3x227 y = 3x^2 - 27 will be negative between the roots.

Therefore, check the interval 3<x<3 -3 < x < 3 :

  • When x=0 x = 0 , substitute into the function: y=3(0)227=27 y = 3(0)^2 - 27 = -27 , which is negative.

The function y=3x227 y = 3x^2 - 27 is negative in the interval 3<x<3 -3 < x < 3 .

Thus, the values of x x for which f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 are 3<x<3 -3 < x < 3 .

Answer

3<x<3 -3 < x < 3

Exercise #14

Given the function:

y=3x2+21 y=3x^2+21

Determine for which values of x is f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0 true

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the given problem, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Determine the direction of the parabola by examining the coefficient of x2 x^2 . Since a=3 a = 3 , the parabola opens upwards.
  • Step 2: Analyze the quadratic to find where y=3x2+21<0 y = 3x^2 + 21 < 0 .
  • Step 3: Find the vertex to determine the minimum point of the parabola. In this case, since there is no x x term (i.e., b=0 b = 0 ), the vertex lies on the y-axis, specifically at x=0 x = 0 .
  • Step 4: Evaluate the function at the vertex, y(0)=3(0)2+21=21 y(0) = 3(0)^2 + 21 = 21 , confirming it is always positive and does not drop below zero.
  • Step 5: As the discriminant Δ=b24ac=024×3×21=252 \Delta = b^2 - 4ac = 0^2 - 4 \times 3 \times 21 = -252 is negative, there are no real roots, meaning the parabola does not cross the x-axis.

Given the function is always positive and never reaches zero or becomes negative, there are no values of x x for which f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .

Thus, the solution to this problem is No x.

Answer

No x

Exercise #15

Look at the following function:

y=2x2+32 y=-2x^2+32

Determine for which values of x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's solve the problem by following these steps:

  • Step 1: Determine the roots of f(x)=2x2+32 f(x) = -2x^2 + 32 .
  • Step 2: Find where f(x) f(x) changes sign.
  • Step 3: Determine intervals where f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .

Step 1: Solving the equation 2x2+32=0 -2x^2 + 32 = 0 .

Rearrange to find the roots:

2x2+32=0 -2x^2 + 32 = 0 implies 2x2=32 2x^2 = 32 , and dividing both sides by 2 gives us:

x2=16 x^2 = 16 .

Taking the square root on both sides results in:

x=±4 x = \pm 4 .

Step 2: Identify the intervals defined by the roots x=4 x = -4 and x=4 x = 4 .

We have three intervals to test: (,4) (-\infty, -4) , (4,4) (-4, 4) , and (4,) (4, \infty) .

Step 3: Analyze the sign of the function in each interval:

  • For x<4 x < -4 : Choose x=5 x = -5 as a test point. Substitute into the function:
    f(5)=2(5)2+32=2(25)+32=50+32=18 f(-5) = -2(-5)^2 + 32 = -2(25) + 32 = -50 + 32 = -18 .
    The function is negative.
  • For 4<x<4 -4 < x < 4 : Choose x=0 x = 0 as a test point. Substitute into the function:
    f(0)=2(0)2+32=32 f(0) = -2(0)^2 + 32 = 32 .
    The function is positive.
  • For x>4 x > 4 : Choose x=5 x = 5 as a test point. Substitute into the function:
    f(5)=2(5)2+32=2(25)+32=50+32=18 f(5) = -2(5)^2 + 32 = -2(25) + 32 = -50 + 32 = -18 .
    The function is negative.

Therefore, the function is negative for x>4 x > 4 or x<4 x < -4 .

The correct choice is: x>4 x > 4 or x<4 x < -4 .

Answer

x>4 x > 4 or x<4 x < -4

Exercise #16

Look at the following function:

y=2x2+32 y=-2x^2+32

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)>0 f\left(x\right) > 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Solve for the roots of the equation f(x)=2x2+32=0 f(x) = -2x^2 + 32 = 0 .
  • Step 2: Use the roots to determine intervals and test where the function is positive.

Let's work through each step:

Step 1: Solve the equation for roots:
The equation given is 2x2+32=0 -2x^2 + 32 = 0 . We can find the roots by isolating x2 x^2 :

2x2+32=0 -2x^2 + 32 = 0
2x2=32 -2x^2 = -32
x2=16 x^2 = 16

Taking the square root of both sides gives x=±4 x = \pm 4 . So, the roots are x=4 x = 4 and x=4 x = -4 .

Step 2: Determine the intervals and test for positivity:

The roots split the real number line into the intervals (,4) (-\infty, -4) , (4,4) (-4, 4) , and (4,) (4, \infty) . We test the sign of f(x) f(x) within these intervals:

  • For x(,4) x \in (-\infty, -4) , choose x=5 x = -5 : f(5)=2(5)2+32=50+32=18 f(-5) = -2(-5)^2 + 32 = -50 + 32 = -18 . So, f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .
  • For x(4,4) x \in (-4, 4) , choose x=0 x = 0 : f(0)=2(0)2+32=32 f(0) = -2(0)^2 + 32 = 32 . So, f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 .
  • For x(4,) x \in (4, \infty) , choose x=5 x = 5 : f(5)=2(5)2+32=50+32=18 f(5) = -2(5)^2 + 32 = -50 + 32 = -18 . So, f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .

Therefore, the function f(x)=2x2+32 f(x) = -2x^2 + 32 is positive only between the roots, i.e., in the interval 4<x<4 -4 < x < 4 .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is 4<x<4 -4 < x < 4 .

Answer

4<x<4 -4 < x < 4

Exercise #17

Look at the following function:

y=2x250 y=2x^2-50

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the inequality 2x250<0 2x^2 - 50 < 0 , we follow these steps:

  • Set the quadratic equation equal to zero to find the roots: 2x250=0 2x^2 - 50 = 0 .

  • Rearrange and solve for x x :

2x250=02x2=50x2=25x=±25x=±5 \begin{aligned} 2x^2 - 50 &= 0\\ 2x^2 &= 50\\ x^2 &= 25\\ x &= \pm \sqrt{25}\\ x &= \pm 5 \end{aligned}

These roots, x=5 x = -5 and x=5 x = 5 , are where the function y=2x250 y = 2x^2 - 50 is equal to zero.

We now examine the intervals determined by these roots to find where the function is negative:

  • x<5 x < -5

  • 5<x<5 -5 < x < 5

  • x>5 x > 5

Since the quadratic is an upward opening parabola (coefficient of x2 x^2 is positive), it attains its minimum value between its roots and increases outside them.

Testing a point in each interval:

  • (For x=0 x = 0 in the interval 5<x<5-5 < x < 5): y=2(0)250=50<0 y = 2(0)^2 - 50 = -50 < 0 .

  • (Other intervals will be positive) such as x=6 x = -6 or x=6 x = 6, will have y>0 y > 0 .

Thus, the function is negative in the interval 5<x<5 -5 < x < 5 .

Therefore, the values of x x that satisfy 2x250<0 2x^2 - 50 < 0 are:

5<x<5 -5 < x < 5 .

Answer

5<x<5 -5 < x < 5

Exercise #18

Look at the following function:

y=x2+1 y=-x^2+1

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)>0 f\left(x\right) > 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of finding the values of x x for which f(x)=x2+1>0 f(x) = -x^2 + 1 > 0 , we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Begin with the inequality x2+1>0 -x^2 + 1 > 0 .
  • Step 2: Rearrange it to 1>x2 1 > x^2 .
  • Step 3: Recognize this can also be expressed as x2<1 x^2 < 1 .
  • Step 4: Since x2<1 x^2 < 1 , the solutions for x x are those values between 1-1 and 11: 1<x<1 -1 < x < 1 .

Therefore, the values of x x for which f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 are 1<x<1 -1 < x < 1 .

Answer

1<x<1 -1 < x < 1

Exercise #19

Look at the following function:

y=x2+1 y=-x^2+1

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to determine where the quadratic function y=x2+1 y = -x^2 + 1 is negative.

  • First, identify the roots of the equation by setting y=0 y = 0 :
    x2+1=0 -x^2 + 1 = 0 simplifies to x2=1 -x^2 = -1 or x2=1 x^2 = 1 .
  • Solving x2=1 x^2 = 1 gives us the roots: x=1 x = 1 and x=1 x = -1 .
  • Now, examine the intervals defined by these roots: (,1) (-\infty, -1) , (1,1) (-1, 1) , and (1,) (1, \infty) .
  • Test each interval:
    • For x<1 x < -1 , choose x=2 x = -2 :
      y=(2)2+1=4+1=3 y = -(-2)^2 + 1 = -4 + 1 = -3 , which is negative.
    • For 1<x<1 -1 < x < 1 , choose x=0 x = 0 :
      y=(0)2+1=1 y = -(0)^2 + 1 = 1 , which is positive.
    • For x>1 x > 1 , choose x=2 x = 2 :
      y=(2)2+1=4+1=3 y = -(2)^2 + 1 = -4 + 1 = -3 , which is negative.
  • Thus, the function is negative for x<1 x < -1 and x>1 x > 1 .

Therefore, the values of x x for which f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 are x<1 x < -1 or x>1 x > 1 .

Answer

x>1 x > 1 or x<1 x < -1

Exercise #20

Look at the function below:

y=x24 y=x^2-4

Then determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f\left(x\right) < 0

XXXYYY000

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine for which values of x x the function f(x)=x24 f(x) = x^2 - 4 is less than 0, we need to solve the inequality x24<0 x^2 - 4 < 0 .

First, find when the function equals zero by solving x24=0 x^2 - 4 = 0 . This gives the roots as x2=4 x^2 = 4 , or x=±2 x = \pm 2 , specifically x=2 x = 2 and x=2 x = -2 .

Next, perform a sign analysis of f(x)=x24 f(x) = x^2 - 4 in the intervals defined by these roots: (,2) (-\infty, -2) , (2,2) (-2, 2) , and (2,) (2, \infty) .

  • For x(,2) x \in (-\infty, -2) : Pick a test point, such as x=3 x = -3 . Calculate f(3)=(3)24=94=5 f(-3) = (-3)^2 - 4 = 9 - 4 = 5 . Here, the function is positive.
  • For x(2,2) x \in (-2, 2) : Pick a test point, such as x=0 x = 0 . Calculate f(0)=024=4 f(0) = 0^2 - 4 = -4 . Here, the function is negative, satisfying f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 .
  • For x(2,) x \in (2, \infty) : Pick a test point, such as x=3 x = 3 . Calculate f(3)=324=94=5 f(3) = 3^2 - 4 = 9 - 4 = 5 . Here, the function is positive.

Thus, the function f(x)=x24 f(x) = x^2 - 4 is less than 0 for 2<x<2 -2 < x < 2 .

The correct interval representing the solution is 2<x<2-2 < x < 2.

Answer

2<x<2 -2 < x < 2