document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1098025>Question 1098025</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I have the following polynomial function and I'm trying to find the y-intercept:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "S(x) = 1/2(x-1)^3+4<BR>\n" );
document.write( "I set x to zero and proceeded this way:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(0-1) = -1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "(-1)^3 = -1<BR>\n" );
document.write( "1/2(-1) = -1/2 (or -0.5)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "-0.5 + 4 = 3.5<BR>\n" );
document.write( "so y=3.5\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Unfortunately, the answer my textbook gives for the y-intercept is -1.  I have no idea where I'm going wrong.  Also, I tried transforming the graph from the parent function y=x^3, so I moved it right one unit and up 4 units  (I didn't get as far as compressing it vertically by a factor of 1/2) and I can't figure out how to get it to cross the y-axis at -1, let alone 3.5.  I am so confused!  I'd appreciate whatever help you can give me.  Thanks!  <BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #712419 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ikleyn><B>ikleyn(52778)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ikleyn><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=ikleyn><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=712419\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> .<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Your steps, your calculations and your answer are PERFECTLY correct.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Their answer is wrong.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Actually, their answer \"-1\" fits for x-intercept.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "So, it looks like the error is on their side.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "--------------------<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<U>comment from student</U>.  I'm sorry to be a pest, but in my previous response to you, I mentioned that I couldn't figure out <BR>\n" );
document.write( "how to calculate -1 as the x-intercept for the above polynomial function: S(x)= 1/2(x-1)^3 +4. So this is what I just tried: <BR>\n" );
document.write( "1/2(x-1)^3 +4 = 0 --->  1/2(x-1)^3 = -4 --->  (x-1)^3 = -8 x-1 = cube root negative 8 (I don't have the symbols for that; sorry) <BR>\n" );
document.write( "x-1 = -2 --->  x = -2 +1 --->  x = -1 \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "Is this correct? Again, let me know if it's improper for me to be asking you more questions via email this way, <BR>\n" );
document.write( "and I will re-submit this as another question on algebra.com. Thank you.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "--------------------\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "<U>My response</U>.  &nbsp;1.  &nbsp;&nbsp;Your calculations in your comment are correct.  \r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "2. &nbsp;It is preferable &nbsp;if you will post your other questions on algebra.com.\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );