My question comes from the pre-calculus CLEP study guide from collegeboard.com. It is an Algebra problem and a graph, but I am unable to paste the graph into this box.
Here is the question and a verbal explanation of the graph. I can send it to an email address if that is a possibility.
The figure above shows the complete graphs of the functions f and g. Based on the graphs, the equation f(x) - g(x) = 0 has how many roots?
The graph is on a cartesian plane. The y=f(x) graph is a slope with a y-intercept of about 2 and an x intercept of about -4, and is upward sloping to the right. The y=g(x) is a curvy graph. Please excuse my description, I am unaware of the actual graphing equation used for it so bare with me. It begins down at -4,-4 curves upward and hits a mzxima at around 1,3 curves back down to a minima of 3,-2 curves back upward to a maxima of about 5,1, and then makes a final curve down to a stopping point at about 7,-3.
My question is: what is the process for finding these roots when there are no numbers to guide you. What do plug in, or utilize to find the answer? I am stuck on this one, and it is the first question on the study guide. There was a similar question on the College Algebra CLEP study guide. Thank you for all of your help. If you need me to email you the graph, please send me a link of where I can send it.
Thanks again.
Cheryl