SOLUTION: How do i simplify equations like f(x)= x^3 - 2x^2 + 6 or f(x)= |(x^2 -4)/(x + 3)| in other words what are some algebra tricks that i can use to simplify hard equations to find the

Algebra.Com
Question 896082: How do i simplify equations like f(x)= x^3 - 2x^2 + 6 or f(x)= |(x^2 -4)/(x + 3)| in other words what are some algebra tricks that i can use to simplify hard equations to find the x-intercepts without graphing or using a graphing calculator.
Answer by Edwin McCravy(20059)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
There is no way you could have studied how to find the x-intercept of



For only by a very advanced method the x-intercept is this irrational 
number, which can only be written in exact form as:



which by graphing calculator comes out to be approximately -1.34025083.

However for your second equation





the x intercepts can be found very easily without a graphing calculator:

 

Multiply both sides by (x+3) and the denominator disappears:





Using the zero-factor principle:

x-2=0,   x+2=0
  x=2      x=-2

So you have given an impossible one (without very advanced techniques)
and a very easy one. :)

Edwin

RELATED QUESTIONS

If f(x) = x^2 - 1, how would I describe in words what 5f(x)+3 would do to the graph of... (answered by stanbon)
We are doing a worksheet in algebra 2 and I am extremely confused on some of the... (answered by MathLover1)
How would you "remove the discontinuity" of f ? In other words, how would you... (answered by ikleyn)
1. F and F^-1 are functions. If F(x) = x+2 then f^-1 (x+2) is what? 2. f(x) = x+7... (answered by josgarithmetic)
How do I simplify... (answered by Earlsdon)
Hello my question is regarding algebra of functions: i appreciate the help, i do not... (answered by josgarithmetic,solver91311)
I NEED EXPLANATION IN A COUPLE OF MATH PROBLEMS they are all odd the answers are in the... (answered by oscargut)
How do I determine if the following polynomial functions have even or odd symmetry, or... (answered by Boreal)
Trying to find the intervals where this function increases and decreases but running into (answered by jim_thompson5910)