Explore Domains with y=-2/3x²+1/4x-1/5

Question

Find the positive and negative domains of the following function:

y=23x2+14x15 y=-\frac{2}{3}x^2+\frac{1}{4}x-\frac{1}{5}

Step-by-Step Solution

To find when the function y=23x2+14x15 y = -\frac{2}{3}x^2 + \frac{1}{4}x - \frac{1}{5} is positive or negative, we will determine its roots and analyze its sign changes across different intervals of x x .

**Step 1: Calculate the Roots**

The quadratic formula is x=b±b24ac2a x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} . Here, a=23 a = -\frac{2}{3} , b=14 b = \frac{1}{4} , and c=15 c = -\frac{1}{5} .

Calculate the discriminant:

b24ac=(14)24(23)(15)=116815 b^2 - 4ac = \left(\frac{1}{4}\right)^2 - 4 \left(-\frac{2}{3}\right) \left(-\frac{1}{5}\right) = \frac{1}{16} - \frac{8}{15} .

Since 116=15240 \frac{1}{16} = \frac{15}{240} and 815=128240 \frac{8}{15} = \frac{128}{240} , the discriminant is negative, 15240128240=113240 \frac{15}{240} - \frac{128}{240} = -\frac{113}{240} .

The discriminant is negative, indicating no real roots; the parabola does not intersect the x-axis.

**Step 2: Determine the Orientation and Sign**

The coefficient a=23 a = -\frac{2}{3} is negative, meaning the quadratic opens downwards.

**Step 3: Analyze the Sign of the Quadratic**

Since the quadratic opens downwards and doesn't intersect the x-axis, it remains negative for all x x .

Therefore, the negative domain of the function is x(,) x \in (-\infty, \infty) and the function has no positive domain.

Consequently:

x<0: x < 0 : for all x x

x>0: x > 0 : none

Hence, the correct answer is: Choice 4.

Answer

x < 0 : for all x x

x > 0 : none