Determine When the Quadratic Function 4x² + 8x Is Less Than Zero

Question

Look at the following function:

y=4x2+8x y=4x^2+8x

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

f\left(x\right) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve for which values of x x the function y=4x2+8x y = 4x^2 + 8x is negative:

  • Step 1: Start by factoring the quadratic expression:
    y=4x2+8x=4x(x+2) y = 4x^2 + 8x = 4x(x + 2) .
  • Step 2: Set each factor to zero to find the roots:
    4x=0 4x = 0 or x+2=0 x + 2 = 0 , giving roots x=0 x = 0 and x=2 x = -2 .
  • Step 3: Analyze the intervals determined by these roots:
    - For x<2 x < -2 , pick a test point like x=3 x = -3 ; plug into 4x(x+2) 4x(x + 2) :
    4(3)((3)+2)=4(3)(1)=12>0 4(-3)((-3) + 2) = 4(-3)(-1) = 12 > 0
    - For 2<x<0 -2 < x < 0 , pick a test point like x=1 x = -1 ; plug into 4x(x+2) 4x(x + 2) :
    4(1)((1)+2)=4(1)(1)=4<0 4(-1)((-1) + 2) = 4(-1)(1) = -4 < 0
    - For x>0 x > 0 , pick a test point like x=1 x = 1 ; plug into 4x(x+2) 4x(x + 2) :
    4(1)(1+2)=4(1)(3)=12>0 4(1)(1 + 2) = 4(1)(3) = 12 > 0 .

Hence, the quadratic is negative in the interval 2<x<0 -2 < x < 0 .

The correct answer is therefore 2<x<0 -2 < x < 0 .

Answer

-2 < x < 0