SOLUTION: Find the range of this function f(x) defined over the largest possible domain. x + 1/x I tried to do this by completing the square by multiplying out the x at the bottom. So

Algebra ->  Functions -> SOLUTION: Find the range of this function f(x) defined over the largest possible domain. x + 1/x I tried to do this by completing the square by multiplying out the x at the bottom. So       Log On


   



Question 937605: Find the range of this function f(x) defined over the largest possible domain.
x + 1/x
I tried to do this by completing the square by multiplying out the x at the bottom. So I got:
x^2 + 1 = 0
(x+1/2)^2 -1/4 = 0
So f(x) > 1/4
But the textbook says f(x) < or equal to -2
or f(x) > or equal to 2.
I really need help on how to get to these answers.

Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
f(x)=x+1/x is ambiguous. Further it is not a quadratic function. You can get better help asking for what you exactly want and giving the full problem description.

Some clarification given:
like y=x%2B1%2Fx, which was exactly as you wrote. Sometimes students want the x+1 grouped as a separate expression but omit the grouping symbols.

The allowed values for x must be x%3C%3E0, so that y will be undefined for x at 0.

You wanted to find the range. Think what happens to y very near to 0 on the left and on the right. ....
.... UNBOUNDED negative as x approaches 0 from the left, and unbounded positive as x approaches 0 from the right.

Without further algebra, although you might want it,... I skip ahead to a graph.

graph%28300%2C300%2C-15%2C15%2C-15%2C15%2Cx%2B1%2Fx%29

A derivative might be needed to find the rest of the range restriction.
THIS MEANS YOU ARE OR HAVE STUDIED CALCULUS 1. ( I cannot think of another way).

d%2Fdy=d%28x%2B1%2Fx%29
1%2B%28-1%29x%5E%28-2%29
1-1%2Fx%5E2
1%28x%5E2%2Fx%5E2%29-1%2Fx%5E2
%28x%5E2-1%29%2Fx%5E2

WHERE is this derivative equal to 0?
x%5E2-1=0
x%5E2=1
highlight_green%28x=-1%29 or highlight_green%28x=1%29

Note from the sketch of the graph you might make, x=-1 will give a local max, and x=1 will give a local min. Use your given function definition to find those function values. The range must EXCLUDE the values between f(-1) and f(1).

To finish....
Range is the set of f%28x%29%3C=-2 and f%28x%29%3E=2.