SOLUTION: What is the domain of the radical function f of x is equal to the square root of the quantity 2 times x squared minus 3 times x minus 20 end quantity

Algebra.Com
Question 1196095: What is the domain of the radical function f of x is equal to the square root of the quantity 2 times x squared minus 3 times x minus 20 end quantity
Found 3 solutions by MathLover1, greenestamps, ikleyn:
Answer by MathLover1(20850)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!




The domain of a radical function is any x value for which the radicand (the value under the radical sign) is not negative.


will be all values of that make
factor


solutions
if
or
if

so domain is
{ element : or }


Answer by greenestamps(13200)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!


It is POSSIBLE that tutor MathLover1 is using a valid method to solve the problem; however, what she APPEARS to be doing is not valid.

The given function is



The domain of the function is those values of x that make greater than or equal to 0. To determine those values, factor the quadratic:



The quadratic is equal to zero when either of those factors is zero.

From there, the other tutor appears to then be solving the problem by finding separately where x-4 is greater than zero and where 2x+5 is greater than zero. That is not a valid method.

One valid method for determining the domain is to use the two zeroes of the function, at x = -2/5 and x = 4, to divide the set of x values into three intervals and determine in which of those intervals the function value is positive. That will show that the function value is positive for x < -2.5 and for x > 4 and negative for -2.5 < x < 4.

Another simple valid method is to recognize that the graph of the quadratic is an upward-opening parabola, so it is negative only between x = -2.5 and x = 4.

Either way, the correct domain is determined: (corrected answer; the endpoints of the intervals are included in the domain): x <= -2.5 or x >= 4


Answer by ikleyn(52790)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

I came to fix the answer given by @greenestamps.

The correct  ANSWER  is  THIS :   the domain is the set  {x <= -2.5}  OR  {x >= 4}.


In this problem,  endpoints of semi-infinite intervals are included in the domain

(@greenestamps excluded them in his answer).



RELATED QUESTIONS

Find the domain for the function f(x) = the quotient of the square root of the quantity x (answered by josgarithmetic)
What is the simplified form of x minus 5 over x squared minus 3x minus 10⋅ x plus 2... (answered by josgarithmetic)
what is the domain of f(x)= x squared minus 9 what is the domain of f(x)=square root... (answered by edjones)
What is the discontinuity of the function f(x) = the quantity of x squared minus 3 x... (answered by stanbon)
What is the discontinuity and zero of the function f(x) = the quantity of 3 x squared... (answered by Boreal)
Evaluate the integral the integral of the product of the quantity x times the square root (answered by Fombitz)
State the vertical asymptote of the rational function f(x) = quantity x minus seven times (answered by Boreal)
F(x)= square root of (x over 4 minus... (answered by jsmallt9)
To two decimal places, find the value of k that will make the function f(x) continuous... (answered by Boreal)