+0  
 
0
1235
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avatar+1832 

I think therr is a mistake here, they put fx is equal to ' 0 '   !  

 Oct 10, 2014

Best Answer 

 #1
avatar+128079 
+10

The Intermediate Value Theorem says that , in some interval [a, b], if f(a) and f(b) have opposite signs, then f(x) has at least one "root" in this interval. (As long as f(x) is continuous on the interval !!)

So

f(0) = (0)^3 + 4(0) - 4 = -4

and

f(1) = (1)^3 + 4(1) - 4 =  1

Then, at x=0 the function lies below the x axis, and at x =1, the function lies above the x axis........and since polynomials are always continuous, this function must cross the x axis on [0,1]

So...this tells us that this ploynomial has at least one"zero" (root) on the interval [0, 1]....In other words, whatever this value is, it makes f(x) = 0......(the "0" in the problem is correct !!!......)

 

 Oct 10, 2014
 #1
avatar+128079 
+10
Best Answer

The Intermediate Value Theorem says that , in some interval [a, b], if f(a) and f(b) have opposite signs, then f(x) has at least one "root" in this interval. (As long as f(x) is continuous on the interval !!)

So

f(0) = (0)^3 + 4(0) - 4 = -4

and

f(1) = (1)^3 + 4(1) - 4 =  1

Then, at x=0 the function lies below the x axis, and at x =1, the function lies above the x axis........and since polynomials are always continuous, this function must cross the x axis on [0,1]

So...this tells us that this ploynomial has at least one"zero" (root) on the interval [0, 1]....In other words, whatever this value is, it makes f(x) = 0......(the "0" in the problem is correct !!!......)

 

CPhill Oct 10, 2014
 #2
avatar+1832 
0

Thank you Cphill .. 

 

but I think that this sentence Suffice 

 

" has at least one solution '' 

 Oct 10, 2014
 #3
avatar+1832 
0

right ? 

 Oct 12, 2014
 #4
avatar+118587 
0

You want to add in the given domain [0,1] because that is what the question asked for.   

 Oct 12, 2014
 #5
avatar+1832 
0

So is my answer correct?  

 Oct 12, 2014
 #6
avatar+118587 
0

Yes looks good.

Personally I would say Hence rather than yes but it shouldn't really matter.     

 

Also, you answer is correct but the original question gave the interval  [0,1]

so personally I would have repeated exactly what they asked for but again it is trivial.

 Oct 12, 2014

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