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Find the domain of the real-valued function $$f(x)=\sqrt{-10x^2-11x+6}.$$ Give the endpoints in your answer as common fractions, not mixed numbers or decimals.

 Nov 9, 2014

Best Answer 

 #3
avatar+130511 
+10

Since we can't take the square root of a negative quantity, we need to find where -10x^2 - 11x + 6 = 0

Set  it  = 0  and multiply through by a -1....so we have

10x^2 + 11x - 6 = 0    factor, if possible

(5x - 2)(2x + 3) = 0

Setting each to 0, we have that x = 2/5 and  x = -3/2

Now, we need to find the intervals where -10x^2 - 11x + 6 < 0

This will occur at either  x < -3/2  or     -3/2 < x  < 2/5       or     x > 2/5

Letting x = 0 we see that -3/2 < x  < 2/5  "works"

If you pick any point in the other two intervals, the expression inside the radical will be < 0.

So, our answer is  -3/2 ≤ x ≤ 2/5

Here's a graph of the function that confirms our answer.....https://www.desmos.com/calculator/lhjgwiihyv

 

 Nov 9, 2014
 #1
avatar+2 
0

The domain of any square root function is D={xER} I dont know what you mean by endpoints when it never ends.

 

-.- Yea, dont listen to me I completely screwed this up

 Nov 9, 2014
 #2
avatar
0

There has to be an end.

 Nov 9, 2014
 #3
avatar+130511 
+10
Best Answer

Since we can't take the square root of a negative quantity, we need to find where -10x^2 - 11x + 6 = 0

Set  it  = 0  and multiply through by a -1....so we have

10x^2 + 11x - 6 = 0    factor, if possible

(5x - 2)(2x + 3) = 0

Setting each to 0, we have that x = 2/5 and  x = -3/2

Now, we need to find the intervals where -10x^2 - 11x + 6 < 0

This will occur at either  x < -3/2  or     -3/2 < x  < 2/5       or     x > 2/5

Letting x = 0 we see that -3/2 < x  < 2/5  "works"

If you pick any point in the other two intervals, the expression inside the radical will be < 0.

So, our answer is  -3/2 ≤ x ≤ 2/5

Here's a graph of the function that confirms our answer.....https://www.desmos.com/calculator/lhjgwiihyv

 

CPhill Nov 9, 2014
 #4
avatar+118723 
+5

The bit under the square root must be greater or eqal to zero.

the easiest way to do questions like this is to let

$$y=-10x^2-11x+6$$

 

now you have

 

$$f(x)=\sqrt{y}$$

 

$$y\ge0\\$$

 

I just saw CPhill's answer pop up so there is no point in me continuing.

If you have questions just ask.  :)

 Nov 9, 2014
 #5
avatar
0

so the endpoints are -3/2 and 2/5?

 Nov 9, 2014
 #6
avatar+130511 
+5

Yep.....

 

 Nov 9, 2014

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