Solve y = -0.9x²: Finding Values Where Function is Positive

Quadratic Functions with Negative Leading Coefficient

Given the function:

y=0.9x2 y=-0.9x^2

Determine for which values of x f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 holds

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Given the function:

y=0.9x2 y=-0.9x^2

Determine for which values of x f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 holds

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, let's apply the analysis and reasoning as follows:

Step 1: Analyze the function y=0.9x2 y = -0.9x^2 . This is a quadratic function of the form ax2 ax^2 where a=0.9 a = -0.9 . Since a<0 a < 0 , the parabola opens downwards.

Step 2: Consider the values of y y . For a parabola opening downwards, the peak (vertex) is at its maximum, and from this point, the parabola decreases, stretching indefinitely in the negative direction of y y .

Step 3: Determine the maximum value. In the quadratic function y=0.9x2 y = -0.9x^2 , the vertex at x=0 x = 0 gives the maximum value of y y , which is y=0 y = 0 since y=0.9×02=0 y = -0.9 \times 0^2 = 0 .

Step 4: Examine the entire function's range. Since beyond the vertex y=0 y = 0 , the values of y y are strictly negative, there are no values of x x for which f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 .

Conclusion: Because the function y=0.9x2 y = -0.9x^2 has its only non-negative point at x=0 x = 0 (where it equals zero) and decreases for all other values of x x , there are no x x -values that make the function positive (i.e., f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 is never true). Therefore, no x x satisfies the condition f(x)>0 f(x) > 0 .

The correct choice is 3: No x.

3

Final Answer

x0 x\ne0

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Graph Shape: When a < 0, parabola opens downward with maximum at vertex
  • Technique: For y = -0.9x², vertex at x = 0 gives maximum y = 0
  • Check: Test any x-value: y = -0.9(1)² = -0.9 < 0, confirms no positive values ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Confusing the sign of the leading coefficient
    Don't think y = -0.9x² can be positive because you ignore the negative sign = wrong answer 'All x'! The negative coefficient makes all non-zero outputs negative. Always check the coefficient sign to determine if the parabola opens up or down.

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 can't this function ever be positive?

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Because the coefficient is negative (-0.9), we're always multiplying a positive number (x²) by a negative number. This means y=0.9x20 y = -0.9x^2 \leq 0 for all real x values.

What's the difference between f(x) > 0 and f(x) ≥ 0?

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The symbol > means 'strictly greater than' (doesn't include 0), while means 'greater than or equal to' (includes 0). For this function, f(x) = 0 only when x = 0.

How do I know if a parabola opens up or down?

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Look at the coefficient of x². If it's positive, the parabola opens upward (∪). If it's negative, it opens downward (∩). Here, -0.9 < 0, so it opens down.

What if the question asked for f(x) ≥ 0 instead?

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Then the answer would be x = 0 only! The function equals zero at the vertex (x = 0) and is negative everywhere else.

Can I solve this by setting the function equal to zero?

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Setting 0.9x2=0 -0.9x^2 = 0 only finds where f(x) = 0, not where f(x) > 0. Since we need positive values and the maximum is 0, no solution exists.

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