Find Domains of y=-x²+4x-4: Positive and Negative Regions

Question

Find the positive and negative domains of the function below:

y=x2+4x4 y=-x^2+4x-4

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the roots of the quadratic function y=x2+4x4 y = -x^2 + 4x - 4 using the quadratic formula.
  • Step 2: Use the calculated roots to form intervals on the x-axis.
  • Step 3: Evaluate the sign of the function in each interval.

Let's begin:

Step 1: Find the roots of the quadratic function.
To find the roots, use the quadratic formula: x=b±b24ac2a x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} . Here, a=1 a = -1 , b=4 b = 4 , and c=4 c = -4 .
Calculate the discriminant b24ac=424(1)(4)=1616=0 b^2 - 4ac = 4^2 - 4(-1)(-4) = 16 - 16 = 0 .

Since the discriminant is zero, there is one (repeated) root:
x=4±02=42=2. x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{0}}{-2} = \frac{-4}{-2} = 2. Thus, the root is x=2 x = 2 .

Step 2: Define the intervals.
The root at x=2 x = 2 divides the x-axis into two intervals: x<2 x < 2 and x>2 x > 2 .

Step 3: Evaluate the sign of the function within each interval.

For x<2 x < 2 , choose a test point, such as x=0 x = 0 .
Substitute into the function: y=(0)2+4(0)4=4 y = -(0)^2 + 4(0) - 4 = -4 .
Since 4 -4 is negative, the function is negative for x<2 x < 2 .

For x>2 x > 2 , choose a test point, such as x=3 x = 3 .
Substitute into the function: y=(3)2+4(3)4=9+124=1 y = -(3)^2 + 4(3) - 4 = -9 + 12 - 4 = -1 .
Since 1 -1 is also negative, the function is negative for x>2 x > 2 .

The quadratic function does not have positive values in any interval on the real number line.

Thus, the positive and negative domains are:
x<0:x2 x < 0 : x\ne2 (negative domain)
x>0: x > 0 : none (as all values are negative)

Therefore, the solution to the problem is x<0:x2 x < 0 : x\ne2 and x>0: x > 0 : none.

Answer

x < 0 : x\ne2

x > 0 : none