Chapter 1: Problem 57
Graph the function and determine the interval(s) for which \(f(x) \geq 0\) . \(f(x)=9-x^{2}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The function \(f(x)\) is greater than or equal to zero for \(x\) in the interval \([-3,3]\).
Step by step solution
01
Find the zeros of the function.
The zeros of a function are the x-values for which \(f(x) = 0\). This is found by solving the equation \(f(x) = 0\), in this case \(9-x^{2} = 0\). Solving for \(x\) yields \(x = \pm \sqrt{9}\), or \(x = \pm 3\). These are the zeros of the function.
02
Determine on which intervals the function is positive.
The function equals zero at \(x = -3\) and \(x = 3\) and it is a downward parabola. Hence the function \(f(x)\) is greater than or equal to zero for \(x\) in the interval \([-3,3]\).
03
Graph the function
Take some key points, typically the roots calculated in step 1 and few points on either side of the roots, and plot them. This will give a curve opening downward and crossing the x-axis at \(x=-3\) and \(x=3\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Graphing Quadratics
Quadratic functions are often graphed as parabolas, which are U-shaped curves. A quadratic function is generally expressed as \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \). The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola that can open upwards or downwards.
- If \( a > 0 \), the parabola opens upwards.
- If \( a < 0 \), the parabola opens downwards.
- Identify the vertex, which for the function \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \) is given by the point \( (0, c) \) when there's no linear term. Hence, the vertex here is \( (0, 9) \).
- The parabola is symmetric around the y-axis because the quadratic term does not include a linear term (i.e., \( b = 0 \)).
- Plot the zeros and a few additional points to visualize the curve.
Finding Zeros of a Function
The zeros of a function are the x-values where the function equals zero. For quadratic functions, finding the zeros helps determine where the graph crosses the x-axis.
To find the zeros of \( f(x) = 9 - x^2 \), set the equation to zero and solve: \[ 9 - x^2 = 0 \]\[ x^2 = 9 \]\[ x = \pm 3 \]These solutions \( x = 3 \) and \( x = -3 \) are the points where the graph intersects the x-axis. Knowing the zeros is crucial as they form the boundary of intervals where the function is positive or negative.
To find the zeros of \( f(x) = 9 - x^2 \), set the equation to zero and solve: \[ 9 - x^2 = 0 \]\[ x^2 = 9 \]\[ x = \pm 3 \]These solutions \( x = 3 \) and \( x = -3 \) are the points where the graph intersects the x-axis. Knowing the zeros is crucial as they form the boundary of intervals where the function is positive or negative.
Parabolas
Parabolas have a distinct shape characterized by their symmetry and direction. They can either open upwards or downwards, determined by the sign of their highest degree term.
Different elements define the nature of a parabola:
Different elements define the nature of a parabola:
- Vertex: The peak or lowest point, located at the axis of symmetry.
- Axis of Symmetry: A vertical line splitting the parabola into two equal mirror-image halves. For \( f(x) = 9 - x^2 \), this is the y-axis \( x = 0 \).
- Focus and Directrix: Points that give parabolas their shape, but for basic graphing, we focus on the vertex and symmetry.
Function Intervals
The concept of intervals in a quadratic function refers to the x-range where the function displays specific behavior, like being positive, negative, or zero.
To determine intervals where \( f(x) \geq 0 \):
To determine intervals where \( f(x) \geq 0 \):
- Use the zeros \( x = -3 \) and \( x = 3 \), which divide the function into different sections.
- Since the parabola \( f(x) = 9 - x^2 \) opens downward, \( f(x) \) will be above the x-axis in the range between these zeros.
- This means \( f(x) \geq 0 \) on the closed interval \([-3, 3]\), where the function is zero at \( x = -3 \) and \( x = 3 \) and positive in between.