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

Quadratic Functions with Domain Classification

Find the positive and negative domains of the function below:

y=(x+4)21 y=-\left(x+4\right)^2-1

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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=(x+4)21 y=-\left(x+4\right)^2-1

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we must determine the intervals where the function y=(x+4)21 y = -\left(x + 4\right)^2 - 1 is positive or negative.

Let's follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the vertex of the quadratic function. The function is given in vertex form, (x+4)21-\left(x + 4\right)^2 - 1, where the vertex is (4,1)(-4, -1).
  • Step 2: Determine the direction of the parabola. Since the coefficient of the squared term is negative (i.e., 1-1), the parabola opens downwards.
  • Step 3: Analyze the graph. A downward-opening parabola means that the function reaches its maximum at the vertex, and thus all other points on the parabola are below this maximum value of 1-1.
  • Step 4: Determine the sign of y y . Because the vertex y y -value is 1-1 and all other points are below it, the function does not take on any positive values. Therefore, the positive domain of y y is nonexistent, and the function is entirely in the negative y y -domain.

Therefore, the positive domain is empty because the parabola of y=(x+4)21 y = -\left(x + 4\right)^2 - 1 does not reach any positive y y -values. Thus, the function is negative for all x x .

In conclusion, the correct answer is: x<0: x < 0 : none and x>0: x > 0 : all x x .

3

Final Answer

x<0: x < 0 : none

x>0: x > 0 : all x x

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Vertex Form: y = a(x-h)² + k identifies vertex (h,k) immediately
  • Sign Analysis: Negative coefficient a = -1 means parabola opens downward
  • Check Maximum: Vertex y-value of -1 is highest point, so y ≤ -1 always ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing positive/negative domain with x-values vs y-values
    Don't look for where x > 0 or x < 0 when asked for positive/negative domains = wrong interpretation! The question asks where the function OUTPUT (y-values) is positive or negative. Always analyze whether y > 0 or y < 0 by examining the parabola's range.

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' mean?

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Positive domain means where the function output y>0 y > 0 (above x-axis). Negative domain means where y<0 y < 0 (below x-axis). We're looking at the height of the graph, not left/right position!

How do I know this parabola opens downward?

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Look at the coefficient of the squared term: 1 -1 . Since it's negative, the parabola opens downward like an upside-down U. Positive coefficients open upward.

Why is the maximum value -1?

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In vertex form y=(x+4)21 y = -(x+4)^2 - 1 , the vertex is at (4,1) (-4, -1) . Since the parabola opens downward, this vertex represents the highest point on the graph.

Can this function ever be positive?

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No! Since the maximum y-value is -1 and the parabola opens downward, all points have y1 y ≤ -1 . The function never reaches positive values.

What's the difference between domain and range here?

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The domain is all possible x-values (all real numbers). The question asks about positive/negative domains, which really means analyzing the range - where y-values are positive or negative.

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