Decoding the Parabola: Positive and Negative Domains of y = 3x² + 7x + 2

To determine the positive and negative domains of the quadratic function $y = 3x^2 + 7x + 2$, we will first find its roots using the quadratic formula.

The quadratic formula is $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$.

For this function, $a = 3$, $b = 7$, and $c = 2$.

First, calculate the discriminant $\Delta$:

$\Delta = b^2 - 4ac = 7^2 - 4 \cdot 3 \cdot 2 = 49 - 24 = 25$.

Since the discriminant is positive, the function has two distinct real roots.

Now, calculate the roots:

$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}$.

$x = \frac{-7 \pm \sqrt{25}}{6} = \frac{-7 \pm 5}{6}$.

This results in:

• Root 1: $x = \frac{-7 + 5}{6} = \frac{-2}{6} = -\frac{1}{3}$
• Root 2: $x = \frac{-7 - 5}{6} = \frac{-12}{6} = -2$

The roots are $x = -2$ and $x = -\frac{1}{3}$, dividing the x-axis into three intervals: $x < -2$, $-2 < x < -\frac{1}{3}$, and $x > -\frac{1}{3}$.

For $x \to -\infty$, the quadratic $y = 3x^2 + 7x + 2$ is positive, as the leading coefficient $a = 3$ is positive, indicating the parabola opens upwards.

Evaluate the sign of $y$ within the intervals:

• For $x < -2$, pick $x = -3$: $y = 3(-3)^2 + 7(-3) + 2 = 27 - 21 + 2 = 8$. Hence, $y > 0$.
• For $-2 < x < -\frac{1}{3}$, pick $x = -1$: $y = 3(-1)^2 + 7(-1) + 2 = 3 - 7 + 2 = -2$. Hence, $y < 0$.
• For $x > -\frac{1}{3}$, pick $x = 0$: $y = 3(0)^2 + 7(0) + 2 = 2$. Hence, $y > 0$.

Therefore, the positive domain of the function is $x < -2$ and $x > -\frac{1}{3}$, and the negative domain is $-2 < x < -\frac{1}{3}$.

Thus, the solution matches the given correct answer:

$x < 0 : -2 < x < -\frac{1}{3}$

$x > -\frac{1}{3}$ or $x > 0 : x < -2$