Look at the following function:
y=4x2+8x
Determine for which values of x the following is true:
f\left(x\right) < 0
To solve for which values of x the function y=4x2+8x is negative:
- Step 1: Start by factoring the quadratic expression:
y=4x2+8x=4x(x+2).
- Step 2: Set each factor to zero to find the roots:
4x=0 or x+2=0, giving roots x=0 and x=−2.
- Step 3: Analyze the intervals determined by these roots:
- For x<−2, pick a test point like x=−3; plug into 4x(x+2):
4(−3)((−3)+2)=4(−3)(−1)=12>0
- For −2<x<0, pick a test point like x=−1; plug into 4x(x+2):
4(−1)((−1)+2)=4(−1)(1)=−4<0
- For x>0, pick a test point like x=1; plug into 4x(x+2):
4(1)(1+2)=4(1)(3)=12>0.
Hence, the quadratic is negative in the interval −2<x<0.
The correct answer is therefore −2<x<0.