Chapter 3: Problem 37
Given the function \(f(x)=x^{2}-3 x\) a. Evaluate \(f(5)\). b. Solve \(f(x)=4\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. \(f(5) = 10\)
b. \(x = 4\) or \(x = -1\)
Step by step solution
01
Evaluate the Function at a Given Point
To find \( f(5) \), substitute \( x = 5 \) into the function \( f(x) = x^2 - 3x \). Thus, \( f(5) = (5)^2 - 3(5) = 25 - 15 = 10 \).
02
Set Function Equal to 4
To find \( x \) when \( f(x) = 4 \), set the function equal to 4: \[ x^2 - 3x = 4 \]
03
Rearrange the Equation
Rearrange the equation to form a standard quadratic equation: \[ x^2 - 3x - 4 = 0 \]
04
Factor the Quadratic Equation
Factor the quadratic equation \( x^2 - 3x - 4 = 0 \). It can be factored as: \[ (x - 4)(x + 1) = 0 \]
05
Solve for x
Set each factor equal to zero and solve for \( x \):1. \( x - 4 = 0 \) gives \( x = 4 \).2. \( x + 1 = 0 \) gives \( x = -1 \).
06
Verify the Solutions
Verify the solutions by substituting them back into \( f(x) \):\( f(4) = 4^2 - 3(4) = 16 - 12 = 4 \), correct.\( f(-1) = (-1)^2 - 3(-1) = 1 + 3 = 4 \), correct.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Function Evaluation
Evaluating a function at a specific point means finding the output value when we substitute an input value into the function. Here, the function is given as \( f(x) = x^2 - 3x \).
To evaluate \( f(5) \), we substitute \( x = 5 \) into the function's equation.
Remember, function evaluation is simply replacing the variable with a given number and performing basic arithmetic operations.
To evaluate \( f(5) \), we substitute \( x = 5 \) into the function's equation.
- Substitute: \( f(5) = (5)^2 - 3(5) \)
- Calculate: \( 25 - 15 = 10 \)
Remember, function evaluation is simply replacing the variable with a given number and performing basic arithmetic operations.
Solving Quadratic Equations
Solving a quadratic equation involves finding the values of the variable that make the equation true. A quadratic equation has the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). In our exercise, we need to solve the equation derived from the function \( x^2 - 3x = 4 \).
To solve it, first, rearrange it into the standard quadratic form:
To solve it, first, rearrange it into the standard quadratic form:
- Subtract 4 from both sides: \( x^2 - 3x - 4 = 0 \)
Factoring Quadratic Equations
Factoring is a method for solving quadratics by expressing the equation as a product of two binomials. For the equation \( x^2 - 3x - 4 = 0 \), the goal is to find two numbers that multiply to \(-4\) and add to \(-3\).
The potential factors are determined to be \( -4 \) and \( +1 \). Thus, we can write the quadratic as:
The potential factors are determined to be \( -4 \) and \( +1 \). Thus, we can write the quadratic as:
- Factor: \( (x - 4)(x + 1) = 0 \)
Verifying Solutions
After finding potential solutions to a quadratic equation, it's crucial to verify them to ensure correctness. Once we have factored the equation into \( (x - 4)(x + 1) = 0 \), we solve to find:
- \( x - 4 = 0 \) gives \( x = 4 \)
- \( x + 1 = 0 \) gives \( x = -1 \)
- For \( x = 4 \): \( f(4) = 4^2 - 3(4) = 16 - 12 = 4 \)
- For \( x = -1 \): \( f(-1) = (-1)^2 - 3(-1) = 1 + 3 = 4 \)