Chapter 4: Problem 16
Find the \(x\) -and \(y\) -intercepts of the rational function. $$ r(x)=\frac{x^{3}+8}{x^{2}+4} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The x-intercept is at \((-2, 0)\) and the y-intercept is at \((0, 2)\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the x-intercept
To find the x-intercept(s), set the numerator of the function equal to zero, since the x-intercept of a fraction occurs where the numerator is zero (and the denominator is not zero). The numerator of the function is \(x^3 + 8\). Set it to zero:\[x^3 + 8 = 0\]Solve for \(x\):\[x^3 = -8\]\[x = -2\]The x-intercept is at \((x = -2, y = 0)\).
02
Find the y-intercept
To find the y-intercept, evaluate the function where \(x = 0\) since the y-intercept happens when \(x = 0\). Substitute \(x=0\) into the function: \[r(0) = \frac{0^3 + 8}{0^2 + 4} = \frac{8}{4} = 2\]The y-intercept is at \((x = 0, y = 2)\).
03
Verify the Denominator is Non-Zero at x-intercept
Double-check that the denominator is not zero at the x-intercept found in Step 1. At \(x = -2\), the denominator is: \[(-2)^2 + 4 = 4 + 4 = 8 \]Since 8 is not zero, the original x-intercept \((x = -2, y = 0)\) is valid.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
X-Intercepts
Understanding the concept of x-intercepts is essential in graphing and analyzing rational functions. An x-intercept of a function is a point where the graph crosses the x-axis. At this point, the value of the function is zero (i.e., the output or y-coordinate is zero). To find the x-intercept of a rational function like \( r(x)=\frac{x^{3}+8}{x^{2}+4} \), follow these steps:
- Focus on the numerator. This is because the output of the function equals zero when the numerator is zero (and the denominator is non-zero).
- Write the equation of the numerator equal to zero. For \( r(x) \), this means setting \( x^3 + 8 = 0 \).
- Solve the equation. Here, \( x^3 = -8 \), leading to \( x = -2 \).
Y-Intercepts
The y-intercept provides important insights into a rational function’s graph. It tells where the function crosses the y-axis, which occurs when the input, \( x \), equals zero. To find the y-intercept for the function \( r(x)=\frac{x^{3}+8}{x^{2}+4} \), use the following approach:
- Substitute \( x = 0 \) directly into the function.
- Calculate the resulting expression. For this function, substituting gives \( r(0) = \frac{0^3 + 8}{0^2 + 4} = \frac{8}{4} = 2 \).
Numerator and Denominator
The structure of a rational function, like \( r(x)=\frac{x^{3}+8}{x^{2}+4} \), is hinged on its numerator and denominator. Comprehending how these components affect the overall behavior of the function is vital:
- Numerator: The numerator, \( x^3 + 8 \), determines the x-intercepts. Setting it to zero gives the values of \( x \) where the function's output is zero, facilitating the finding of x-intercepts.
- Denominator: The denominator, \( x^2 + 4 \), plays a critical role in defining where the function is undefined. The function is not valid when this part equals zero, as it would imply division by zero.
- Double-checking at critical points like x-intercepts ensures the denominator is never zero ensuring those points are real and valid on the graph.