Chapter 4: Problem 60
(a) Factor the expression \(4 x^{2}-x^{4}\). Then use the techniques explained in this section to graph the function defined by \(y=4 x^{2}-x^{4}\). (b) Find the coordinates of the turning points. Hint: As in previous sections, use the substitution \(x^{2}=t\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function has turning points at \((\sqrt{2}, 4)\) and \((-\sqrt{2}, 4)\).
Step by step solution
01
Factor the Expression
The expression to factor is \( 4x^2 - x^4 \). Begin by recognizing a common structure: rewrite it as \( -x^4 + 4x^2 \). Notice this can be further factored by taking out \(-x^2\) common factor: \( -x^2(x^2 - 4) \). Finally, \( x^2 - 4 \) is a difference of squares, which can be factored as \((x - 2)(x + 2)\). Therefore, the complete factored form is \(-x^2(x - 2)(x + 2)\).
02
Graph the Function
Using the factored form \(-x^2(x-2)(x+2)\), note the roots of the function are \(x = 0, x = 2, x = -2\). Since the leading coefficient of the original \(x^4\) term is negative, the end behaviors of the function imply that as \(x \to \pm \infty\), \(y \to -\infty\). These features, along with the symmetry about the y-axis (since all exponents in the original equation are even), help sketch the graph.
03
Substitute to Find Turning Points
Substitute \(t = x^2\) into \(y = 4x^2 - x^4\), transforming the equation to \(y = 4t - t^2\). This is a quadratic function \(-t^2 + 4t\), which can be rewritten as \(-1(t^2 - 4t)\). Completing the square gives \((t - 2)^2 - 4\). The vertex form \(-1((t - 2)^2 - 4)\) indicates a maximum at \(t=2\). Re-substitute \(t = x^2\), solving \(x^2=2\), yields \(x = \pm \sqrt{2}\).
04
Calculate Function Value at Turning Points
Using the x-values from Step 3, calculate \(y\) for \(x = \sqrt{2}\) and \(x = -\sqrt{2}\): \(y = 4(\sqrt{2})^2 - (\sqrt{2})^4\). Simplifying, \(y = 8 - 4 = 4\). Thus, the coordinates of the turning points are \((\sqrt{2}, 4)\) and \((-\sqrt{2}, 4)\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Turning Points
Turning points are special points on the graph of a function where the direction changes from increasing to decreasing or vice versa. These points are crucial as they help in understanding the behavior of a polynomial function and finding these can make graphing simpler.
To find turning points, specifically for the function defined by \[ y = 4x^2 - x^4 \], we can utilize a substitution technique. By substituting \( x^2 = t \), we transform the quartic equation into a quadratic one: \( y = 4t - t^2 \). This quadratic format allows us to utilize the vertex form to easily identify turning points.
In the vertex form \( y = -(t - 2)^2 + 4 \), the turning point (or vertex) is observed at \( t = 2 \), which translates back to \( x = \pm \sqrt{2} \) when reversing the substitution. Thus, these x-values give us turning points at coordinates \( (\sqrt{2}, 4) \) and \( (-\sqrt{2}, 4) \).
These turning points indicate maximums because the coefficient of \( t^2 \) is negative, confirming the parabola opens downwards, providing clear guidance on graphing the function.
To find turning points, specifically for the function defined by \[ y = 4x^2 - x^4 \], we can utilize a substitution technique. By substituting \( x^2 = t \), we transform the quartic equation into a quadratic one: \( y = 4t - t^2 \). This quadratic format allows us to utilize the vertex form to easily identify turning points.
In the vertex form \( y = -(t - 2)^2 + 4 \), the turning point (or vertex) is observed at \( t = 2 \), which translates back to \( x = \pm \sqrt{2} \) when reversing the substitution. Thus, these x-values give us turning points at coordinates \( (\sqrt{2}, 4) \) and \( (-\sqrt{2}, 4) \).
These turning points indicate maximums because the coefficient of \( t^2 \) is negative, confirming the parabola opens downwards, providing clear guidance on graphing the function.
Difference of Squares
The difference of squares is a very useful factoring technique that comes in handy when simplifying quadratic expressions. It applies to expressions in the form of \( a^2 - b^2 \), where it can be factored into \((a - b)(a + b)\).
In the expression to factor, \( 4x^2 - x^4 \), the rewritten form is \( -x^2(x^2 - 4) \), where \( x^2 - 4 \) can be easily recognized as a difference of squares because \( 4 \) is \( 2^2 \).
This difference of squares factors into \( (x - 2)(x + 2) \), thus simplifying the process of solving and graphing the polynomial. Factoring using the difference of squares helps in identifying the roots or zeros of the function, laying a strong foundation for graphing and further analysis.
In the expression to factor, \( 4x^2 - x^4 \), the rewritten form is \( -x^2(x^2 - 4) \), where \( x^2 - 4 \) can be easily recognized as a difference of squares because \( 4 \) is \( 2^2 \).
This difference of squares factors into \( (x - 2)(x + 2) \), thus simplifying the process of solving and graphing the polynomial. Factoring using the difference of squares helps in identifying the roots or zeros of the function, laying a strong foundation for graphing and further analysis.
Graphing Functions
Graphing functions involves understanding their general shape and key features like roots, turning points, and end behavior. With the function \( y = 4x^2 - x^4 \), knowing it can be expressed as \( -x^2(x - 2)(x + 2) \) reveals useful information for graphing.
The roots of this polynomial are directly obtained from the factored form: \( x = 0, x = 2, \text{and} x = -2 \), indicating where the graph will intersect the x-axis.
The turning points found earlier at \( (\sqrt{2}, 4) \) and \( (-\sqrt{2}, 4) \) show where the graph reaches its maximum height and starts to descend.
Moreover, being a degree 4 polynomial with a leading negative coefficient indicates the end behavior as \( x \to \pm \infty, y \to -\infty \). The graph is symmetric about the y-axis, evident from the original expression's even powers, guiding how we visualize the function’s graph.
The roots of this polynomial are directly obtained from the factored form: \( x = 0, x = 2, \text{and} x = -2 \), indicating where the graph will intersect the x-axis.
The turning points found earlier at \( (\sqrt{2}, 4) \) and \( (-\sqrt{2}, 4) \) show where the graph reaches its maximum height and starts to descend.
Moreover, being a degree 4 polynomial with a leading negative coefficient indicates the end behavior as \( x \to \pm \infty, y \to -\infty \). The graph is symmetric about the y-axis, evident from the original expression's even powers, guiding how we visualize the function’s graph.
- Primary roots: \( x = 0, x = 2, x = -2 \)
- Turning points: \( (\sqrt{2}, 4) \), and \( (-\sqrt{2}, 4) \)
- End behavior trends towards \(-\infty \) as \( x \to \pm \infty \)