Domain Analysis: Finding Positive Values of (1/3x-1/6)(-x-4.2)

Question

Find the positive and negative domains of the following function:

y=(13x16)(x415) y=\left(\frac{1}{3}x-\frac{1}{6}\right)\left(-x-4\frac{1}{5}\right)

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

f\left(x\right) > 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To find the set of x x values where y=(13x16)(x415) y = \left(\frac{1}{3}x-\frac{1}{6}\right)\left(-x-4\frac{1}{5}\right) is positive, we need to determine where each factor changes sign.

First, find the zeros of the linear factors:

  • For 13x16=0\frac{1}{3}x - \frac{1}{6} = 0:
    Solving gives 13x=16 \frac{1}{3}x = \frac{1}{6} or x=12 x = \frac{1}{2} .
  • For x415=0-x - 4\frac{1}{5} = 0:
    Solving gives x=415-x = -4\frac{1}{5} or x=415 x = -4\frac{1}{5} .

These zeros split the real number line into three intervals. Let's determine the sign of each expression in the intervals:

  • Interval (,415)(-\infty, -4\frac{1}{5}):
    - 13x16<0\frac{1}{3}x-\frac{1}{6} < 0 and x415>0-x-4\frac{1}{5} > 0
  • Interval (415,12)(-4\frac{1}{5}, \frac{1}{2}):
    - 13x16<0\frac{1}{3}x-\frac{1}{6} < 0 and x415<0-x-4\frac{1}{5} < 0
  • Interval (12,)(\frac{1}{2}, \infty):
    - 13x16>0\frac{1}{3}x-\frac{1}{6} > 0 and x415<0-x-4\frac{1}{5} < 0

The product (13x16)(x415)\left(\frac{1}{3}x-\frac{1}{6}\right)\left(-x-4\frac{1}{5}\right) is positive in the interval where both factors are negative or both are positive:

Therefore, the solution is 415<x<12-4\frac{1}{5} < x < -\frac{1}{2}, matching with choice 3.

Answer

-4\frac{1}{5} < x < -\frac{1}{2}