Identify When y = -x² - 2x - 3 Surpasses Zero: Solving the Quadratic Inequality

Question

Look at the following function:

y=x22x3 y=-x^2-2x-3

Determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f\left(x\right)>0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Find the roots of the function using the quadratic formula. The equation to solve is x22x3=0-x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0.
  • Step 2: The quadratic formula gives x=b±b24ac2a x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} . For our function, a=1 a = -1 , b=2 b = -2 , and c=3 c = -3 .
  • Step 3: Calculate the discriminant: b24ac=(2)24(1)(3)=412=8 b^2 - 4ac = (-2)^2 - 4(-1)(-3) = 4 - 12 = -8 .
  • Step 4: Since the discriminant is negative, there are no real roots. Therefore, f(x) f(x) never crosses the x-axis and has no real x-intercepts.
  • Step 5: Understand the graph behavior: since the parabola opens downward and the vertex is its maximum point without crossing the x-axis, the function is negative for all real x x .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is that the function has no positive domain.

Answer

The function has no positive domain.