Find the Domain of y=-(x-14)²+8: Analyzing Quadratic Boundaries

Quadratic Functions with Positive-Negative Intervals

Find the positive and negative domains of the function below:

y=(x14)2+8 y=-\left(x-14\right)^2+8

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Find the positive and negative domains of the function below:

y=(x14)2+8 y=-\left(x-14\right)^2+8

2

Step-by-step solution

To find the positive and negative domains of the function y=(x14)2+8 y = -\left(x-14\right)^2 + 8 , we'll start by identifying the roots of the quadratic equation.

Step 1: Find the roots of the equation:
To find when the function is zero, set y=0 y = 0 :
(x14)2+8=0 -\left(x-14\right)^2 + 8 = 0 .

Step 2: Solve for x x :
Rearrange the equation:
(x14)2=8 -\left(x-14\right)^2 = -8
(x14)2=8 (x-14)^2 = 8 .

Take the square root on both sides:
x14=±8 x-14 = \pm\sqrt{8} .
This simplifies to x14=±22 x - 14 = \pm 2\sqrt{2} .

Add 14 to both sides to solve for x x :
x=14±22 x = 14 \pm 2\sqrt{2} .
So, the roots are x=14+22 x = 14 + 2\sqrt{2} and x=1422 x = 14 - 2\sqrt{2} .

Step 3: Analyze intervals between roots and outside:
The roots divide the x x -axis into three intervals: x<1422 x < 14 - 2\sqrt{2} , 1422<x<14+22 14 - 2\sqrt{2} < x < 14 + 2\sqrt{2} , and x>14+22 x > 14 + 2\sqrt{2} .

- For 1422<x<14+22 14 - 2\sqrt{2} < x < 14 + 2\sqrt{2} , y>0 y > 0 because points between roots are above the x x -axis.
- For x<1422 x < 14 - 2\sqrt{2} or x>14+22 x > 14 + 2\sqrt{2} , y<0 y < 0 because points outside of roots are below the x x -axis.

Conclusion:
The positive domain, where y>0 y > 0 , is 1422<x<14+22 14 - 2\sqrt{2} < x < 14 + 2\sqrt{2} .
The negative domain, where y<0 y < 0 , is x<1422 x < 14 - 2\sqrt{2} or x>14+22 x > 14 + 2\sqrt{2} .

Therefore, the solution is:
Positive domain: x>0:1422<x<14+22 x > 0 : 14-2\sqrt{2} < x < 14+2\sqrt{2} .
Negative domain: x>14+22 x > 14+2\sqrt{2} or x<0:x<1422 x < 0 : x < 14-2\sqrt{2} .

3

Final Answer

x>0:1422<x<14+22 x > 0 : 14-2\sqrt{2} < x < 14+2\sqrt{2}

x>14+22 x > 14+2\sqrt{2}

or

x<0:x<1422 x < 0 : x < 14-2\sqrt{2}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Find roots by setting y = 0 and solving
  • Technique: Solve (x14)2=8 (x-14)^2 = 8 gives x=14±22 x = 14 \pm 2\sqrt{2}
  • Check: Test values between and outside roots to verify sign changes ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing positive/negative domains with function sign
    Don't think positive domain means x > 0! The positive domain is where y > 0 (function output is positive), not where x > 0. Always identify where the parabola is above or below the x-axis by analyzing intervals between roots.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

The graph of the function below does not intersect the \( x \)-axis.

The parabola's vertex is marked A.

Find all values of \( x \) where
\( f\left(x\right) > 0 \).

AAAX

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

What's the difference between positive domain and where x > 0?

+

Great question! Positive domain means where the function output y is positive (above x-axis), not where x > 0. For this parabola, y > 0 when 1422<x<14+22 14-2\sqrt{2} < x < 14+2\sqrt{2} .

Why does the parabola open downward?

+

The coefficient of the squared term is negative (-1). When you have y=(xh)2+k y = -(x-h)^2 + k , the negative sign makes the parabola open downward, creating a maximum point.

How do I remember which intervals are positive or negative?

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Since this parabola opens downward, it's positive between the roots (where it's above the x-axis) and negative outside the roots (where it dips below the x-axis).

What if I can't simplify the square root?

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That's okay! 8=22 \sqrt{8} = 2\sqrt{2} is the simplified form. You can also use decimal approximations: 222.83 2\sqrt{2} \approx 2.83 to get approximate boundary values.

Can I solve this by graphing instead?

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Absolutely! Graph y=(x14)2+8 y = -(x-14)^2 + 8 and see where the parabola is above (positive) or below (negative) the x-axis. The x-intercepts give you the boundary points.

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