Find the Domain of y=-(x-4)²+1: Positive and Negative Analysis

Quadratic Functions with Sign Analysis

Find the positive and negative domains of the function below:

y=(x4)2+1 y=-\left(x-4\right)^2+1

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Step-by-step written solution

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1

Understand the problem

Find the positive and negative domains of the function below:

y=(x4)2+1 y=-\left(x-4\right)^2+1

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we need to find where y=(x4)2+1 y = -\left(x-4\right)^2+1 is positive or negative.

Step 1: Set y=0 y = 0 to find the roots.

(x4)2+1=0 -\left(x-4\right)^2+1 = 0

Solve for x x :

(x4)2=1-(x-4)^2 = -1 (x4)2=1(x-4)^2 = 1

Take the square root of both sides:

x4=±1x-4 = \pm 1

This gives the roots:

x=4±1x = 4 \pm 1

Thus, the roots are x=5 x = 5 and x=3 x = 3 .

Step 2: Analyze intervals defined by roots.

Intervals are (,3)(-\infty, 3), (3,5)(3, 5), and (5,)(5, \infty).

Check sign of y y in these intervals:

  • For x<3 x < 3 : Choose x=0 x = 0 . Then, y=(04)2+1=16+1=15 y = -\left(0-4\right)^2+1 = -16 + 1 = -15 . So, y<0 y < 0 .
  • For 3<x<5 3 < x < 5 : Choose x=4 x = 4 . Then, y=(44)2+1=1 y = -\left(4-4\right)^2+1 = 1 . So, y>0 y > 0 .
  • For x>5 x > 5 : Choose x=6 x = 6 . Then, y=(64)2+1=4+1=3 y = -\left(6-4\right)^2+1 = -4 + 1 = -3 . So, y<0 y < 0 .

The function y=(x4)2+1 y = -\left(x-4\right)^2+1 is positive for 3<x<5 3 < x < 5 and negative for x<3 x < 3 or x>5 x > 5 .

Thus, the positive domain is 3<x<5 3 < x < 5 and the negative domain is x>5 x > 5 or x<3 x < 3 .

The correct choices align with the intervals found, which are:

x>5 x > 5 or x<0:x<3 x < 0 : x < 3

x>0:3<x<5 x > 0 : 3 < x < 5

3

Final Answer

x>5 x > 5 or x<0:x<3 x < 0 : x < 3

x>0:3<x<5 x > 0 : 3 < x < 5

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Roots: Set function equal to zero and solve for x-intercepts
  • Technique: Test values in each interval: x=0 gives y=-15, negative
  • Check: Verify signs match parabola opening downward from vertex (4,1) ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Testing only one value or ignoring interval boundaries
    Don't just find roots x=3 and x=5 without testing each interval = incomplete analysis! This misses which regions are positive vs negative. Always test a value in each interval created by the roots to determine the sign.

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

Why do I need to find the roots first before analyzing signs?

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The roots divide the domain into intervals where the function doesn't change sign. Finding roots x=3 x=3 and x=5 x=5 creates three regions to test separately.

How do I know which test values to pick in each interval?

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Choose any convenient number within each interval! For x<3 x < 3 , try x=0 x=0 . For 3<x<5 3 < x < 5 , try x=4 x=4 . For x>5 x > 5 , try x=6 x=6 .

What does the negative sign in front mean for the parabola?

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The negative coefficient of (x4)2 (x-4)^2 means the parabola opens downward. This creates a "hill" shape with maximum value at the vertex, helping predict where function is positive vs negative.

Why is the function positive between the roots?

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Since this downward-opening parabola has vertex at (4,1) (4,1) above the x-axis, the function is positive between its roots x=3 x=3 and x=5 x=5 , and negative outside this interval.

How can I remember which intervals are positive or negative?

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Visualize the parabola! It opens downward with vertex at (4,1) (4,1) . The function is positive where the graph sits above the x-axis (between the roots) and negative where it dips below.

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