Find the Domain of y=-(x-2)²+1/6: Complete Function Analysis

Quadratic Sign Analysis with Square Root Expressions

Find the positive and negative domains of the function below:

y=(x2)2+16 y=-\left(x-2\right)^2+\frac{1}{6}

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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=(x2)2+16 y=-\left(x-2\right)^2+\frac{1}{6}

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we will follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the vertex and the direction in which the parabola opens.

  • Step 2: Set the function equal to zero to find critical x-values.

  • Step 3: Solve for these x-values to find the specific points where the function changes signs.

  • Step 4: Determine which intervals on the x-axis correspond to the function being positive and which are negative.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The given function is y=(x2)2+16 y = -\left(x-2\right)^2+\frac{1}{6} . The vertex is at point (2,16) (2, \frac{1}{6}) , and since the leading coefficient is negative, the parabola opens downwards.
Step 2: We set the equation equal to zero: (x2)2+16=0 -\left(x-2\right)^2+\frac{1}{6} = 0 .
Step 3: Solving for when the function is zero, we have: (x2)2=16(x2)2=16x2=±16 \begin{aligned} -\left(x-2\right)^2 & = -\frac{1}{6}\\ (x-2)^2 & = \frac{1}{6}\\ x-2 & = \pm\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} \end{aligned} This gives us two solutions for x: x=2+16 x = 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} and x=216 x = 2-\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} .
Step 4: We will test intervals determined by these points to see where the function is positive or negative.

  • For x<216 x < 2-\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} , plug an x-value less than 216 2-\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} into the function; the function will be negative because the entire parabola opens downward from the vertex.

  • For 216<x<2+16 2-\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} < x < 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} , the function is positive.

  • For x>2+16 x > 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} , again, the function returns to being negative.

Therefore, the intervals are:
- Negative domain: x<0:x<216 x < 0 : x < 2-\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} and x>2+16 x > 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}}
- Positive domain: x>0:216<x<2+16 x > 0 : 2 -\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} < x < 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} .

The correct answer is:

x>2+16 x > 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} or x<0:x<216 x < 0 : x < 2-\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}}

x>0:216<x<2+16 x > 0 : 2 -\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} < x < 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}}

3

Final Answer

x>2+16 x > 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} or x<0:x<216 x < 0 : x < 2-\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}}

x>0:216<x<2+16 x > 0 : 2 -\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} < x < 2+\sqrt{\frac{1}{6}}

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Vertex Form: Identify vertex (2, 1/6) and downward opening from negative coefficient
  • Zero Points: Solve -(x-2)² + 1/6 = 0 to get x = 2 ± √(1/6)
  • Sign Test: Check intervals around zeros: negative outside, positive between ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing positive and negative domains with x-value signs
    Don't assume 'x < 0' means negative domain and 'x > 0' means positive domain! The question asks where the function OUTPUT is positive/negative, not the input x-values. Always determine where y > 0 and y < 0 by analyzing the parabola's position relative to the x-axis.

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 does 'positive domain' and 'negative domain' actually mean?

+

Positive domain: x-values where the function output y is positive (above x-axis)
Negative domain: x-values where the function output y is negative (below x-axis). It's about the function's sign, not the x-values' signs!

Why do I need to solve for when the function equals zero?

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The zeros are where the parabola crosses the x-axis, creating boundaries between positive and negative regions. These critical points at x=2±16 x = 2 \pm \sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} divide the domain into intervals with different signs.

How do I know the parabola opens downward?

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Look at the coefficient of the squared term: -1 in (x2)2 -(x-2)^2 . Since it's negative, the parabola opens downward like an upside-down U, with the vertex being the highest point.

Why is the function positive between the zeros?

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Since the parabola opens downward and has vertex at (2,16) (2, \frac{1}{6}) above the x-axis, the middle section between the zeros is above the x-axis (positive), while the outer sections are below (negative).

How do I simplify √(1/6)?

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You can leave 16 \sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} as is, or rationalize it: 16=66 \sqrt{\frac{1}{6}} = \frac{\sqrt{6}}{6} . Both forms are mathematically correct for expressing the boundary points.

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