Chapter 2: Problem 25
Solving a Polynomial Inequality In Exercises \(13-34,\) solve the inequality. Then graph the solution set.$$x^{2}-3 x-18>0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution to the inequality \(x^{2}-3x-18>0\) is \( x<-3 \) or \( x>6 \)
Step by step solution
01
Find the roots of the inequality
The roots of the inequality \(x^{2}-3x-18=0\) can be found using the quadratic formula: \(x=\frac{-(-3)\pm \sqrt{(-3)^{2}-4(1)(-18)}}{2(1)}\). Solving gives \(x=6\) and \(x=-3\).
02
Divide the number line into intervals
The roots divide the number line into three intervals. The intervals are \((- \infty,-3)\), \((-3,6)\) and \((6,\infty)\).
03
Test the intervals
Choose a test point from each interval and substitute it into the original inequality to find out whether the inequality holds. For \((- \infty,-3)\), take \(x=-4\) for example, plug in the values and see if the inequality stands. Repeat this step for \((-3,6)\), for example choose \(x=0\), and for \((6,\infty)\), for example, choose \(x=7\).
04
Interpret the results and draw the graph
The intervals that make the inequality true form the solution set. Draw a number line and shade the solution set. Open circle is used at the points -3 and 6 because original inequality is not inclusive i.e no 'or equal to' given.
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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 used to find the roots of a quadratic equation, which is an equation of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). In this exercise, we use it to solve the equation \(x^2 - 3x - 18 = 0\). The quadratic formula is given by: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\] When using the formula:
- \(a\) is the coefficient of \(x^2\), which is 1 in our equation.
- \(b\) is the coefficient of \(x\), which is -3.
- \(c\) is the constant term, which is -18.
Inequality Intervals
Solving polynomial inequalities involves determining where the polynomial is greater than, less than, or equal to zero in certain intervals. For \(x^2 - 3x - 18 > 0\), the roots \(x = 6\) and \(x = -3\) help to divide the number line into distinct intervals.These intervals are:
- \((-\infty, -3)\)
- \((-3, 6)\)
- \((6, \infty)\)
Number Line Graphing
Graphing inequalities helps visualize where the inequality is true on a number line. After determining the intervals \((-\infty, -3)\), \((-3, 6)\), and \((6, \infty)\), we choose test points from each interval and substitute them into the original inequality \(x^2 - 3x - 18 > 0\).For instance:
- In \((-\infty, -3)\), pick \(x = -4\): Substitute to find if \((-4)^2 - 3(-4) - 18 > 0\).
- In \((-3, 6)\), pick \(x = 0\): Test to see if \(0^2 - 3(0) - 18 > 0\).
- In \((6, \infty)\), choose \(x = 7\): Calculate if \(7^2 - 3(7) - 18 > 0\).
Solution Set Interpretation
Once the test points have been evaluated, those intervals where the inequality holds make up the solution set. In this case, the inequality \(x^2 - 3x - 18 > 0\) is satisfied in the intervals \((-\infty, -3)\) and \((6, \infty)\).When graphing:
- Use open circles (not filled in) at the test points \(-3\) and \(6\) since the inequality is strict (\(>\), not \(\geq\)).
- Shade the regions outside these points on the number line.