\(f(x)=\sqrt{-6x^2+11x-4}\)
The domain is all real values of x such that
-6x2 + 11x - 4 ≥ 0
To solve this inequality, let's first solve this equation...
-6x2 + 11x - 4 = 0 Using the quadratic formula...
x = \({-11 \pm \sqrt{11^2-4(-6)(-4)} \over 2(-6)}\,=\,{-11 \pm 5 \over -12}\)
x = \(\frac12\) or x = \(\frac{4}{3}\)
Since the x values that make -6x2 + 11x - 4 equal 0 are \(\frac12\) and \(\frac{4}{3}\) ,
(and since -6x2 + 11x - 4 is continuous....)
the x values that make -6x2 + 11x - 4 greater than or equal to 0 will be either be...
those between \(\frac12\) and \(\frac{4}{3}\) , that is, those in the interval \([\frac12,\frac43]\)
OR
those outside of that interval, that is, those in the interval \((-\infty,\frac12]\cup[\frac43,\infty)\)
To determine which...
Let's test an x value in the interval \([\frac12,\frac43]\) . Does x = 1 make -6x2 + 11x - 4 ≥ 0 ?
-6(1)2 + 11(1) - 4 ≥ 0
1 ≥ 0 true
Let's test an x value in the interval \((-\infty,\frac12]\cup[\frac43,\infty)\) . Does x = 0 make -6x2 + 11x - 4 ≥ 0 ?
-6(0)2 + 11(0) - 4 ≥ 0
-4 ≥ 0 false
So the x values that make -6x2 + 11x - 4 ≥ 0 are those in the interval \([\frac12,\frac43]\)
The domain of f(x) is \([\frac12,\frac43]\)
.