0.4x² Inequality Solution: When is the Parabola Above Zero?

Question

Given the function:

y=0.4x2 y=0.4x^2

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

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, let's break down the given quadratic function:

  • Step 1: The function is y=0.4x2 y = 0.4x^2 . This is a basic quadratic function where a=0.4 a = 0.4 , b=0 b = 0 , and c=0 c = 0 .
  • Step 2: Since a=0.4>0 a = 0.4 > 0 , the parabola opens upwards. The vertex of this parabola is at the point (0,0) (0, 0) .
  • Step 3: Address the condition f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 . The function value y y is zero exactly at the vertex, x=0 x = 0 . For any other real number value of x x , the term x2 x^2 is positive, and therefore 0.4x2 0.4x^2 is also positive.

Since y=0.4x2 y = 0.4x^2 will always be greater than zero for every x0 x \neq 0 , the correct set of values for x x where f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 is all x x except x=0 x = 0 . Thus, the solution is expressed as:

x0 x \ne 0

Answer

x0 x\ne0