Solve (2x-16)² < 0: Finding Values of x in a Quadratic Inequality

Quadratic Inequalities with Squared Expressions

Look at the function below:

y=(2x16)2 y=\left(2x-16\right)^2

Then determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f(x) < 0

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Look at the function below:

y=(2x16)2 y=\left(2x-16\right)^2

Then determine for which values of x x the following is true:

f(x)<0 f(x) < 0

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we must determine when the expression (2x16)2 (2x-16)^2 is less than zero.

First, consider the expression (2x16)2 (2x-16)^2 .

  • Recognize that squaring any real number results in a non-negative number. Thus, (2x16)2(2x-16)^2 is always non-negative.
  • Specifically, for any expression squared, (a)20(a)^2 \geq 0 for all real numbers a a .
  • Therefore, (2x16)2(2x-16)^2 cannot be less than zero for any value of x x .

Since a square of any real function is always zero or positive, there are no real values of x x for which (2x16)2(2x-16)^2 is negative.

Therefore, the conclusion is that there are no values of x x that make (2x16)2<0(2x-16)^2 < 0.

The correct answer is: No x x .

3

Final Answer

No x x

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Rule: Any real number squared is always greater than or equal to zero
  • Technique: Recognize (2x16)20 (2x-16)^2 \geq 0 for all values of x
  • Check: Test any value: (2(0)16)2=2560 (2(0)-16)^2 = 256 \geq 0

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Trying to solve by setting the expression equal to zero
    Don't solve (2x16)2=0 (2x-16)^2 = 0 to find when it's negative = wrong approach! This finds when the expression equals zero (x = 8), not when it's less than zero. Always remember that squared expressions are never negative.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

The graph of the function below intersects the X-axis at points A and B.

The vertex of the parabola is marked at point C.

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

AAABBBCCCX

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't a squared expression be negative?

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When you square any real number, the result is always positive or zero. For example: 32=9 3^2 = 9 and (3)2=9 (-3)^2 = 9 . Even 02=0 0^2 = 0 . There's no real number that becomes negative when squared!

What does it mean when there are 'no values' of x?

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It means the inequality has no solution. The set of values that make (2x16)2<0 (2x-16)^2 < 0 true is empty because this condition is impossible for real numbers.

When does (2x-16)² equal zero?

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The expression equals zero when 2x16=0 2x - 16 = 0 , which gives us x=8 x = 8 . At this point, (2x16)2=0 (2x-16)^2 = 0 , but it's still not negative.

How is this different from linear inequalities?

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Linear inequalities like 2x16<0 2x - 16 < 0 can have solutions because the expression isn't squared. But when you square an expression, you eliminate the possibility of negative values.

What if the question asked for (2x-16)² > 0?

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Then the answer would be all real numbers except x = 8. The squared expression is positive everywhere except at x=8 x = 8 where it equals zero.

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