Determining x for Positive Outputs: When y=-x²+4x-5 is Greater Than Zero

Question

Look at the following function:

y=x2+4x5 y=-x^2+4x-5

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

f\left(x\right)>0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem of finding when the function y=x2+4x5 y = -x^2 + 4x - 5 is greater than zero, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the function as a downward-opening parabola because the coefficient of x2 x^2 is negative.
  • Step 2: Use the quadratic formula to find potential real roots. This helps determine intervals of the parabola.

The quadratic formula is x=b±b24ac2a x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} .

Step 3: Plug in the coefficients for our function, a=1 a = -1 , b=4 b = 4 , and c=5 c = -5 .

Calculate discriminant: b24ac=424(1)(5)=1620=4 b^2 - 4ac = 4^2 - 4(-1)(-5) = 16 - 20 = -4 .

Since the discriminant is negative (4-4), there are no real roots. This means the function never crosses the x-axis, and thus it is never positive.

Consequently, the function y=x2+4x5 y = -x^2 + 4x - 5 has no intervals where it is positive.

Therefore, the function has no positive domain.

Answer

The function has no positive domain.