Chapter 3: Problem 3
Let \(g(x)=x^{3}\) and find \(g(1), g(-1), g(2)\) \(g(-2), g(3)\) and \(g(-3)\). What do you notice about your results?
Short Answer
Expert verified
Values of \(g(x)\) for opposites \(x\) are symmetric with opposite signs.
Step by step solution
01
- Define the function
The given function is defined as follows: \[ g(x) = x^3 \]. This means for any input value of \(x\), we need to cube this value to find \(g(x)\).
02
- Find \(g(1)\)
Substitute \(x = 1\) into the function: \[ g(1) = 1^3 = 1 \]
03
- Find \(g(-1)\)
Substitute \(x = -1\) into the function: \[ g(-1) = (-1)^3 = -1 \]
04
- Find \(g(2)\)
Substitute \(x = 2\) into the function: \[ g(2) = 2^3 = 8 \]
05
- Find \(g(-2)\)
Substitute \(x = -2\) into the function: \[ g(-2) = (-2)^3 = -8 \]
06
- Find \(g(3)\)
Substitute \(x = 3\) into the function: \[ g(3) = 3^3 = 27 \]
07
- Find \(g(-3)\)
Substitute \(x = -3\) into the function: \[ g(-3) = (-3)^3 = -27 \]
08
- Analyze results
Noticing the results for positive and negative values of \(x\), the function \(g(x) = x^3\) produces symmetric values about zero but with opposite signs. Specifically, if \(g(x)\) is \(a\), then \(g(-x)\) is \(-a\).
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Cubed Functions
A cubed function is a type of polynomial function where the highest power of the variable is 3. Mathematically, it is represented as \(f(x) = x^3\). This means that for any input value of \(x\), you multiply \(x\) by itself three times: \(x \times x \times x = x^3\).
For example, if you input \(x = 2\), the output will be \(2^3 = 8\). Similarly, if the input is \(-2\), the output will be \((-2)^3 = -8\).
Cubing both positive and negative numbers results in values that are symmetrical about zero but have opposite signs. This is because a negative number multiplied three times retains its negative sign, while a positive number retains its positive sign.
For example, if you input \(x = 2\), the output will be \(2^3 = 8\). Similarly, if the input is \(-2\), the output will be \((-2)^3 = -8\).
Cubing both positive and negative numbers results in values that are symmetrical about zero but have opposite signs. This is because a negative number multiplied three times retains its negative sign, while a positive number retains its positive sign.
Function Evaluation
Function evaluation is the process of finding the output of a function for a particular input value. To evaluate a function, you substitute the given input into the function's formula and simplify.
For the function \(g(x) = x^3\), to find \(g(1)\), you substitute \(1\) in place of \(x\):
\[ g(1) = 1^3 = 1 \]
Similarly, to find \(g(-1)\), \(-1\) is substituted for \(x\):
\[ g(-1) = (-1)^3 = -1 \]
So, evaluating functions is all about substituting the input value into the formula and solving it step by step.
For the function \(g(x) = x^3\), to find \(g(1)\), you substitute \(1\) in place of \(x\):
\[ g(1) = 1^3 = 1 \]
Similarly, to find \(g(-1)\), \(-1\) is substituted for \(x\):
\[ g(-1) = (-1)^3 = -1 \]
So, evaluating functions is all about substituting the input value into the formula and solving it step by step.
Symmetry in Functions
Symmetry in functions refers to the property of a function's graph where one half is a mirror image of the other half. For the function \(g(x) = x^3\), this type of symmetry is known as odd symmetry.
In this exercise, evaluating \(g(x)\) for positive and negative values of \(x\) showed that \(g(-x) = -g(x)\). This means that the function is symmetric about the origin, since for any point \((x, y)\) on the graph, there is a corresponding point \((-x, -y)\).
For instance, when \(x = 2\), \(g(2) = 8\) and when \(x = -2\), \(g(-2) = -8\). This opposite-sign property holds for all values of \(x\), confirming the odd symmetry of \(g(x) = x^3\).
In this exercise, evaluating \(g(x)\) for positive and negative values of \(x\) showed that \(g(-x) = -g(x)\). This means that the function is symmetric about the origin, since for any point \((x, y)\) on the graph, there is a corresponding point \((-x, -y)\).
For instance, when \(x = 2\), \(g(2) = 8\) and when \(x = -2\), \(g(-2) = -8\). This opposite-sign property holds for all values of \(x\), confirming the odd symmetry of \(g(x) = x^3\).