Solve the Quadratic Inequality y = -4x² + 24x: Which x-values Apply?

Question

Look at the following function:

y=4x2+24x y=-4x^2+24x

Determine for which values ofx x the following is true:

f(x) < 0

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Find the roots by setting the function equal to zero: 4x2+24x=0 -4x^2 + 24x = 0 .
  • Step 2: Factor the equation. We get 4x(x6)=0 -4x(x - 6) = 0 .
  • Step 3: Solve for x x to find the roots: x=0 x = 0 and x=6 x = 6 .
  • Step 4: Analyze intervals defined by these roots: these intervals are (,0) (-\infty, 0) , (0,6) (0, 6) , and (6,) (6, \infty) .
  • Step 5: Test the sign of y=4x2+24x y = -4x^2 + 24x in each interval:
    • In (,0) (-\infty, 0) , choose x=1 x = -1 : 4(1)2+24(1)=424=28-4(-1)^2 + 24(-1) = -4 - 24 = -28, so y<0 y < 0 .
    • In (0,6) (0, 6) , choose x=3 x = 3 : 4(3)2+24(3)=36+72=36-4(3)^2 + 24(3) = -36 + 72 = 36, so y>0 y > 0 .
    • In (6,) (6, \infty) , choose x=7 x = 7 : 4(7)2+24(7)=196+168=28-4(7)^2 + 24(7) = -196 + 168 = -28, so y<0 y < 0 .
  • Step 6: Compile the solution set based on where y<0 y < 0 : the intervals are (,0) (-\infty, 0) and (6,) (6, \infty) .

Therefore, the solution is that f(x)<0 f(x) < 0 for x>6 x > 6 or x<0 x < 0 .

Answer

x > 6 or x < 0