Chapter 3: Problem 27
For what values of \(x\) are the quantities negative? $$ x^{2}+x-2 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Short Answer:
The quadratic expression \(x^2+x-2\) is negative for values of \(x\) in the interval \(-2 < x < 1\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the roots of the quadratic expression
To find the roots of the expression \(x^2+x-2\), we will solve the equation \(x^2+x-2=0\). This is a quadratic equation of the form \(ax^2+bx+c=0\), where \(a=1\), \(b=1\), and \(c=-2\). To solve it, we can use the quadratic formula:
$$
x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
$$
Applying the quadratic formula, we get:
$$
x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{1^2 - 4(1)(-2)}}{2(1)}
$$
$$
x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{9}}{2}
$$
$$
x = \frac{-1 \pm 3}{2}
$$
Therefore, we have two roots, \(x_1 = 1\) and \(x_2 = -2\).
02
Create intervals of \(x\) values
Now that we have the roots, we can create intervals of \(x\) values:
1. \(x<-2\)
2. \(-21\)
03
Determine the sign of the quadratic expression for each interval
We can determine the sign of the quadratic expression for each interval by substituting a value from each interval into the expression \(x^2+x-2\) and checking the result's sign.
For interval \(x<-2\), let's choose a value, say \(x=-3\):
$$
(-3)^2 + (-3) - 2 = 9 - 3 - 2 = 4 > 0
$$
The expression is positive in this interval.
For interval \(-21\), let's choose a value, say \(x=2\):
$$
2^2 + 2 - 2 = 4 + 2 - 2 = 4 > 0
$$
The expression is positive in this interval.
04
Conclusion
The quadratic expression \(x^2+x-2\) is negative for values of \(x\) in the interval \(-2 < x < 1\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a powerful tool that allows us to find the roots, or solutions, of any quadratic equation in the standard form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \).
This formula is expressed as:
In the context of the exercise, our equation is \( x^2 + x - 2 = 0 \), where \( a = 1 \), \( b = 1 \), and \( c = -2 \).
Plugging these into the quadratic formula allows us to find the specific values of \( x \) that make this equation equal to zero.
It’s important to note how the plus-minus symbol (\( \pm \)) in the formula divides it into two different solutions, which is why we typically find two roots from a quadratic equation.
This formula is expressed as:
- \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \)
In the context of the exercise, our equation is \( x^2 + x - 2 = 0 \), where \( a = 1 \), \( b = 1 \), and \( c = -2 \).
Plugging these into the quadratic formula allows us to find the specific values of \( x \) that make this equation equal to zero.
It’s important to note how the plus-minus symbol (\( \pm \)) in the formula divides it into two different solutions, which is why we typically find two roots from a quadratic equation.
Roots of Quadratic Equation
Finding the roots of a quadratic equation means determining the values of \( x \) where the equation equals zero. In simpler terms, roots are the x-values where the equation touches or crosses the x-axis in a graph.
For our specific equation, \( x^2 + x - 2 = 0 \), we already used the quadratic formula to compute these values.
Here's a recap:
For our specific equation, \( x^2 + x - 2 = 0 \), we already used the quadratic formula to compute these values.
Here's a recap:
- The roots we found were \( x_1 = 1 \) and \( x_2 = -2 \).
Sign of Expression Intervals
Understanding the sign of a quadratic expression within specific intervals is crucial for resolving inequalities and analyzing quadratic behavior over a range of \( x \)-values.
In this exercise, after determining the roots \( x_1 = 1 \) and \( x_2 = -2 \), our number line is split into three parts:
This kind of interval analysis helps us understand and predict where the function is increasing, decreasing, or remaining positive or negative.
In this exercise, after determining the roots \( x_1 = 1 \) and \( x_2 = -2 \), our number line is split into three parts:
- \( x < -2 \)
- \( -2 < x < 1 \)
- \( x > 1 \)
- For \( x < -2 \) (e.g., \( x = -3 \)), the expression is positive.
- For \( -2 < x < 1 \) (e.g., \( x = 0 \)), the expression is negative.
- For \( x > 1 \) (e.g., \( x = 2 \)), the expression is positive.
This kind of interval analysis helps us understand and predict where the function is increasing, decreasing, or remaining positive or negative.