Theme 2 - Functions

Applied Exercises

1. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥, find…

a) 𝑓(1) d) 𝑓()
b) 𝑓(3) e) 𝑓(𝑎 + 3𝑏)
c) 𝑓(𝛽)

Answers

a) 𝑓 (1) = 12 − 2(1) = −1
b) 𝑓(3) = 32 − 2(3) = 3
c) 𝑓(𝛽) = 𝛽 2 − 2𝛽
2
d) 𝑓() =  − 2
e) 𝑓(𝑎 + 3𝑏) = (𝑎 + 3𝑏)2 − 2(𝑎 + 3𝑏)

3 3
2. If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 − 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑥+1 , then

a) 𝑔(−1) e) (𝑔 − 𝑓)(1) h) 𝑔(𝑓(9))

b) 𝑓(0) f) (𝑓 ÷ 𝑔)(2) i) 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥))
c) (𝑔 ∙ 𝑓)(2) g) 𝑓(𝑔(5)) j) 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥))
d) (𝑓 + 𝑔)(1)

Answers
a) 𝑔(−1) 𝐷𝑁𝐸
b) 𝑓(0) 𝐷𝑁𝐸
1 1
c) (𝑔 ∙ 𝑓)(2) = 𝑔(2)𝑓(2) = (1) (2) = 2
3 7
d) (𝑓 + 𝑔)(1) = 𝑓(1) + 𝑔(1) = 2 + 2 = 2
3 1
e) (𝑔 − 𝑓)(1) = 𝑔(1) − 𝑓(1) = 2 − 2 = − 2
𝑓(2) 1
f) (𝑓 ÷ 𝑔)(2) = 𝑔(2) = 2
1 3
g) 𝑓(𝑔(5)) = 𝑓 (2) = 1 −1=5
2
2 3
h) 𝑔(𝑓(9)) = 𝑔 (− 3) = 2 =9
− +1
3
3 3 𝑥
i) 𝑔(𝑓(𝑥)) = 𝑔 (𝑥 − 1) = 3 = 3 (3 ) = 𝑥
−1+1
𝑥
3 3 (𝑥+1)
j) 𝑓(𝑔(𝑥)) = 𝑓 (𝑥+1) = 3 −1=3 1=𝑥
3
𝑥+1
3. Find the equation of the line through points (2,5) and (6,4).
Answer

𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃
4−5 1
𝑎= =−
6−2 4
1
𝑦=− 𝑥+𝑏
4
1 11
5 = − 4 (2) + 𝑏 𝑏= 2

1 11
𝑦=− 𝑥+
4 2

4. Find the equation of the line that is perpendicular to the line you have just found
and passes through point (3,1).

Answer
𝒚 = 𝒂𝟐 𝒙 + 𝒃𝟐

1 1
𝑎2 = − =− =4
𝑎 1
(− 4)

𝑦 = 4𝑥 + 𝑏2
1 = 4(3) + 𝑏2 𝑏2 = −11
𝑦 = 4𝑥 − 11
5. Draw the parabola whose equation is 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 16.
Answer
𝑏 −6
Vertex: 𝑥 = − 2𝑎 = − 2(1) = 3 𝑦 = 32 − 6(3) − 16 = −25

𝑉(3, −25)

𝑎=1>0 parabola is concave up 😊

𝑦 −intercept (0, −16)

Zeros occur when: 0 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 16 = (𝑥 − 8)(𝑥 + 2)

x-intercepts: 𝑍1 (8,0) 𝑍2 (−2,0)

6. Find all intersections of the line 𝑦𝐿 = −4𝑥 − 17 and the parabola

𝑦𝑃 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 16 and graph them on the same Cartesian plane.
Answer

𝑦𝐿 = 𝑦𝑃
−4𝑥 − 17 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 16
0 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1
0 = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 1) = (𝑥 − 1)2
𝑥 = 1, 𝑦 = −21
7. Trace the graphs of the following functions. State their domain and range.

𝒚 = 𝒙𝟑

𝒅𝒐𝒎 = 𝑹
𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 = 𝑹

𝒚 = √𝒙

𝒅𝒐𝒎 = [𝟎, ∞[ = {𝒙 ≥ 𝟎}
𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 = [𝟎, ∞[ = 𝑹+

𝟑
𝒚 = √𝒙

𝒅𝒐𝒎 = 𝑹
𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 = 𝑹
 𝟏
𝒚=
𝒙

𝒅𝒐𝒎 = 𝑹∗ = ]−∞, 𝟎[ ∪ ]𝟎, ∞[

𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 = 𝑹∗ = ]−∞, 𝟎[ ∪ ]𝟎, ∞[

𝒚 = |𝒙| (by the way… 𝒚 = √𝒙𝟐 )

𝒅𝒐𝒎 = 𝑹
𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 = [𝟎, ∞[

𝒚 = 𝒆𝒙

7
𝒅𝒐𝒎 = 𝑹
6

5 𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 = ]𝟎, ∞[
4

0
-2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2
8. Draw the functions
1
𝑦= +3
𝑥−2

𝑦 = √𝑥 + 4 − 1

𝑦 = (𝑥 + 2)3 + 2
 1
𝑦 = (𝑥 − 3)3 + 1

𝑦 = |𝑥 + 5| − 3

𝑦 = 2𝑥+2 − 4
 1
9. How many intersections do the functions 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥+2 + 2 and 𝑦 = 2𝑥 − 2 have?

Answer

There are 2 intersections which we can detect by graphing the 2 functions on the same
Cartesian plane:

10. What is the domain of the function 𝑦 = √𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 12?

Answer
Restriction: 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 12 ≥ 0
(𝑥 − 6)(𝑥 + 2) ≥ 0

Zeros: 𝑥 = 6, 𝑥 = −2
 2 +1
11. What is the domain of the function 𝑦 = 𝑒 𝑥 ?
Answer
There are no restrictions on 𝑥 2 + 1 and no restrictions on exponential functions, thus
d𝑜𝑚 = ℝ

1
12. What is the domain of the function 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 −2𝑥?

Answer
Restriction:

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑥(𝑥 − 2) ≠ 0
𝑥 ≠ 0, 𝑥 ≠ 2
𝑑𝑜𝑚 = {𝑥 ≠ 0, 𝑥 ≠ 2} = (−∞, 0) ∪ (0,2) ∪ (2, ∞)

13. Simplify the following expressions:

3
a) log 2 32 𝑒2
b) log 5 52𝑥+3 d) ln(𝑥√𝑒) + ln ( 𝑥 )
c) log 4 32 − log 4 2 e) 10log(1.2)
1
f) 𝑒 3 ln 8
Answers

a) log 2 32 = log 2 25 = 5
b) log 5 52𝑥+3 = 2𝑥 + 3
32
c) log 4 32 − log 4 2 = log 4 ( 2 ) = log 4 16 = log 4 42 = 2
3 1 3
𝑒2 𝑥𝑒 2 𝑒 2
d) ln(𝑥√𝑒) + ln ( ) = ln ( ) = ln 𝑒 2 = 2
𝑥 𝑥
3
1 3
𝑒2 1 3
OR ln(𝑥√𝑒) + ln ( 𝑥 ) = ln 𝑥 + ln 𝑒 2 + ln 𝑒 2 − ln 𝑥 = 2 + 2 = 2

e) 10log(1.2) = 1.2
1
1 ln(83 ) 1 1 1 1
ln 8
f) 𝑒 3 =𝑒 = 83 = 2 or 𝑒 3 ln 8 = (𝑒 ln 8 )3 = 83 = 2
14. Solve the following equations:
2
ln(2𝑥 + 3) − ln 𝑥 =
3
Answer
2𝑥 + 3 2
ln ( )=
𝑥 3
2𝑥+3 2
𝑒 ln( )
𝑥 = 𝑒3
2𝑥 + 3 2
= 𝑒3
𝑥
2
2𝑥 + 3 = 𝑒 3 𝑥
2
3 = 𝑒 3 𝑥 − 2𝑥
2
3 = (𝑒 3 − 2)𝑥
3
𝑥= 2 ≈ −57.399 (candidate solution)
𝑒 3 −2

Check:
2
ln(2𝑥 + 3) − ln 𝑥 =
3
The solution FAILS!!!!!
The equation has no solution.
Remark: For logarithmic equations and for square root equations, always check your answer.
3𝑥 = 7(5𝑥−2 )
Answer

3𝑥 = 7(5𝑥−2 )
ln 3𝑥 = ln(7(5𝑥−2 ))
𝑥 ln 3 = ln 7 + ln 5𝑥−2
𝑥 ln 3 = ln 7 + (𝑥 − 2) ln 5
𝑥 ln 3 = ln 7 + 𝑥 ln 5 − 2 ln 5
𝑥 ln 3 − 𝑥 ln 5 = ln 7 − 2 ln 5
𝑥 (ln 3 − ln 5) = ln 7 − 2 ln 5
ln 7 − 2 ln 5
𝑥=
ln 3 − ln 5

OR
3𝑥 = 7(5𝑥−2 )
3𝑥 = 7(5𝑥 )(5−2 )
7 𝑥
3𝑥 = (5 )
25
3𝑥 7
=
5𝑥 25
3 𝑥 7
( ) =
5 25
3 𝑥 7
log ( ) = log ( )
5 25
3 7
𝑥 log ( ) = log ( )
5 25
7
log ( )
𝑥= 25 = log 7 − log 25
3 log 3 − log 5
log ( )
5
Practice problems
Question 1

a) Find the equation of the line, 𝐿1 , that passes through points 𝐴(2,7) and 𝐵(8,5).
b) Find the equation of the line, 𝐿2 , that is parallel to 𝐿1 and contains point 𝐶(9,1).
c) Find the equation of the line, 𝐿3 , that is perpendicular to 𝐿1 and contains point 𝐷(4, −3).

Question 2
A parabola has its vertex at point 𝑉(3, −5). Its equation is 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

a) Find the parabola’s missing parameters, 𝑏 and 𝑐.

b) Find the 𝑥-intercepts of the parabola, if it has any at all, and draw its graph.

Question 3

Find the number of intersections that functions 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)3 − 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = |𝑥 + 2| − 2
have by examining their graphs. Can you guess the intersection points?

Question 4
√4−𝑥 2
Find the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −5𝑥 .

Advice: start by writing all restrictions that must be imposed.

Question 5

Find the domain of the function

√𝑥 2 − 1
𝑔(𝑥) =
ln(5 − 𝑥 2 )
Advice: start by writing all restrictions that must be imposed.

Question 6
𝑏4
Simplify the expression ln 𝑎2 + ln ( 𝑒 ) − 2 ln(𝑎𝑏 2 𝑒).

Note: 𝑎 and 𝑏 represent positive (real) numbers and 𝑒 is Euler’s number.

Question 7
Tina’s attention level when listening to JF’s Youtube video on logarithmic functions can be
modeled using the function
2 𝑥
𝑇(𝑥) = 10 ( )
5
where 𝑇(𝑥) is Tina’s attention level (on a scale of 0 to 10), and 𝑥 is time counted in hours.
a) At what moment will Tina’s attention be at a level of 6?
Alison, on the other hand, has a level of attention (on a scale of 0 to 10) that is modeled by the
function
4 𝑥
𝐴(𝑥) = 5 ( )
5
b) At what moment will Alison’s and Tina’s attention levels be equal?

Question 8

Fermentation is causing 𝐶𝑂2 to accumulate in a bottle of old wine. The pressure (in atm) of this
gas is given by the rule 𝑃(𝑡) = log 9 (5𝑡 2 + 1) where 𝑡 is time counted in decades after it was
bottled.

a) Find the pressure of the gas when

i. the wine was bottled
ii. 40 years later after it was bottled
b) When will the pressure reach 0.5 atm?
Question 9
a) Find the simplest factored form of the polynomial p( x )  x 3  2 x 2  4 x  8 .
b) Use your answer to question (a) to identify the domain of the function
r ( x)  x 3  2x 2  4x  8 .
c) Use your answer to question (a) to identify the domain of the function
 
q( x)  ln x 3  2x 2  4x  8 .
d) Use your answer to question (a) to redefine f ( x )  x 3  2 x 2  4 x  8 as a piecewise
function.
Problem 10
Annabelle and Anabella do not agree about the number of intersections that exist between the
functions 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 1 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 9. We would obviously not want their
friendship to end over such a silly matter, so let’s help resolve the issue.
a) Annabelle tried to find the intersections with an algebraic approach, as shown below, and
found TWO possible answers:
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥)

√𝑥 − 1 + 2 = −𝑥 + 9 Subtracted 2 from both sides

√𝑥 − 1 = −𝑥 + 7
Squared both sides
2
𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 − 14𝑥 + 49
…
What did Annabelle do in the steps shown with arrows above?
Complete the work Annabelle most likely did afterwards and find both 𝑥-values she would get
as a result.
Anabella, on the other hand, tried to find the intersections with a graphical approach, as
shown, and found only one possible answer.

Complete the work Anabella has started by incorporating the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) and find the 𝑥-
value she would get as a result.
b) Who is correct (about the number of intersections) and where did the other person go
wrong?
Problem 11
a) Find all 𝑥-values and intervals where 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 is
 Zero  Positive
 Undefined  negative
(show the number line where you tested the signs)
1
b) using the answer to a), find the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 −𝑥 4

c) using the answer to a), find the domain of the function 𝑔(𝑥) = √4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4

√𝑥−1
d) find the domain of the function ℎ(𝑥) = √4𝑥 2
−𝑥4
Solutions to the practice problems
Question 1

a) Find the equation of the line, 𝐿1 , that passes through points 𝐴(2,7) and 𝐵(8,5).
b) Find the equation of the line, 𝐿2 , that is parallel to 𝐿1 and contains point 𝐶(9,1).
c) Find the equation of the line, 𝐿3 , that is perpendicular to 𝐿1 and contains point 𝐷(4, −3).

Answers
5−7 2 1
a) 𝑎1 = 8−2 = − 6 = − 3

1
𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 𝑏1
3
1 23
5 = − 3 (8) + 𝑏1 means that 𝑏1 = 3

1 23
𝑦=− 𝑥+
3 3

1
b) 𝐿2 must have the same slope as 𝐿1 : 𝑎2 = 𝑎1 = − 3

1
𝑦 = − 𝑥 + 𝑏2
3
1
1 = − 3 (9) + 𝑏2 means that 𝑏2 = 4
1
𝑦 =− 𝑥+4
3
1
c) 𝐿3 ’s slope must be the negative reciprocal of 𝐿1 : 𝑎3 = − 𝑎 = 3
1

𝑦 = 3𝑥 + 𝑏3

−3 = 3(4) + 𝑏3 means that 𝑏3 = −15

𝑦 = 3𝑥 − 15
Question 2
A parabola has its vertex at point 𝑉(3, −5). Its equation is 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

a) Find the parabola’s missing parameters, 𝑏 and 𝑐.

b) Find the 𝑥-intercepts of the parabola, if it has any at all, and draw its graph.

Answers
𝑏 𝑏
a) The 𝑥-coordinate of the vertex is − 2𝑎 = − 4 = 3, so 𝑏 = −12. So far, we know that

𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 𝑐

b) When 𝑥 = 3, we must obtain 𝑦 = −5, so…

𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 𝑐 becomes −5 = 2(32 ) − 12(3) + 𝑐 = 18 − 36 + 𝑐, so 𝑐 = 13

𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 13

0 = 2𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 13
We cannot factor this quadratic with the sum-product method, so…

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 12 ± √144 − 104 12 ± √40 12 ± 2√10 √10

𝑥1,2 = = = = = 3±
2𝑎 4 4 4 2
𝑥1 ≈ 1.4189
𝑥2 ≈ 4.5811

Question 3
Find the number of intersections that functions 𝑓(𝑥) = (𝑥 + 1)3 − 1 and 𝑔(𝑥) = |𝑥 + 2| − 2
have by examining their graphs. Can you guess the intersection points?

Answers

According to the graphs, the intersections take place at coordinate points (−2, −2), (−1, −1)
and (0,0). By replacing these coordinates into the functions, we can validate these are
accurate.
Question 4
√4−𝑥 2
Find the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 −5𝑥 .

Advice: start by writing all restrictions that must be imposed.

Answers
Restriction 1

4 − 𝑥2 ≥ 0
(2 − 𝑥)(2 + 𝑥) ≥ 0
Zeros: 𝑥 = 2, 𝑥 = −2
Sign Tests:

Thus, −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 2

Restriction 2

𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 ≠ 0
𝑥(𝑥 − 5) ≠ 0
Thus, 𝑥 ≠ 0, 𝑥 ≠ 5

Combining the restrictions, we observe:

𝑑𝑜𝑚(𝑓) = [−2,0[ ∪ ]0,2]

Question 5
Find the domain of the function
√𝑥 2 − 1
𝑔(𝑥) =
ln(5 − 𝑥 2 )
Advice: start by writing all restrictions that must be imposed.
Answers
Restrictions:

1. 𝑥 2 − 1 ≥ 0
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) ≥ 0
Zeros: 𝑥 = −1, 𝑥 = 1
Since 𝑥 2 − 1 is a concave up parabola, it is positive outside its zeros. That is, for…
𝑥 < −1 or 𝑥 > 1

2. ln(5 − 𝑥 2 ) ≠ 0
2
𝑒 ln(5−𝑥 ) ≠ 𝑒 0
5 − 𝑥2 ≠ 1
4 − 𝑥2 ≠ 0
(2 − 𝑥)(2 + 𝑥) ≠ 0
𝑥 ≠ 2, 𝑥 ≠ −2

3. 5 − 𝑥 2 > 0
5 − 𝑥2 > 0

(√5 − 𝑥)(√5 + 𝑥) > 0

Since 5 − 𝑥 2 is a concave down parabola, it is positive between its zeros

−√5 < 𝑥 < √5

Combining all three restrictions:
]−√5, −2[ ∪ ]−2, −1] ∪ [1,2[ ∪ ]2, √5[
Question 6
𝑏4
Simplify the expression ln 𝑎2 + ln ( 𝑒 ) − 2 ln(𝑎𝑏 2 𝑒).

Note: 𝑎 and 𝑏 represent positive (real) numbers and 𝑒 is Euler’s number.

Answers
𝑏4
ln 𝑎2 + ln ( ) − 2 ln(𝑎𝑏 2 𝑒) = 2 ln 𝑎 + ln 𝑏 4 − ln 𝑒 − 2(ln 𝑎 + ln 𝑏 2 + ln 𝑒)
𝑒

= 2 ln 𝑎 + 4 ln 𝑏 − ln 𝑒 − 2(ln 𝑎 + 2 ln 𝑏 + ln 𝑒)
= 2 ln 𝑎 + 4 ln 𝑏 − ln 𝑒 − 2 ln 𝑎 − 4 ln 𝑏 − 2 ln 𝑒
= −3 ln 𝑒
= −3
Question 7
Tina’s attention level when listening to JF’s Youtube video on logarithmic functions can be
modeled using the function
2 𝑥
𝑇(𝑥) = 10 ( )
5
where 𝑇(𝑥) is Tina’s attention level (on a scale of 0 to 10), and 𝑥 is time counted in hours.
a) At what moment will Tina’s attention be at a level of 6?
Alison, on the other hand, has a level of attention (on a scale of 0 to 10) that is modeled by the
function
3 𝑥
𝐴(𝑥) = 5 ( )
5
b) At what moment will Alison’s and Tina’s attention levels be equal?
Answers
2 𝑥
a) 6 = 10 (5)
3 2 𝑥
=( )
5 5
3 2 𝑥
ln ( ) = ln ( )
5 5
ln(0.6) = 𝑥 ln(0.4)
ln(0.6)
𝑥 = ln(0.4) ≈ 0.5575 (33 min 45 seconds into the video)

3 𝑥 2 𝑥
b) 5 (5) = 10 (5)

3 𝑥 2 𝑥
ln 5 ( ) = ln 10 ( )
5 5
3 𝑥 2 𝑥
ln 5 + ln ( ) = ln 10 + ln ( )
5 5
3 2
ln 5 + 𝑥 ln ( ) = ln 10 + 𝑥 ln ( )
5 5

3 2
𝑥 ln ( ) − 𝑥 ln ( ) = ln 10 − ln 5
5 5
3 2
𝑥 [ln ( ) − ln ( )] = ln 2
5 5
 3 2
𝑥 [ln ( ) − ln ( )] = ln 2
5 5
3
𝑥 ln ( ) = ln 2
2
ln 2
𝑥= ≈ 1.7095
3
ln (2)

OR

3 𝑥 2 𝑥
5 ( ) = 10 ( )
5 5
3 𝑥
( )
5 =2
2 𝑥
( )
5
3 𝑥
( ) =2
2
3 𝑥
ln ( ) = ln 2
2
3
𝑥 ln ( ) = ln 2
2

ln 2
𝑥= ≈ 1.7095
3
ln (2)
Question 8
Fermentation is causing 𝐶𝑂2 to accumulate in a bottle of old wine. The pressure (in atm) of this
gas is given by the rule 𝑃(𝑡) = log 9 (4𝑡 2 + 2) where 𝑡 is time counted in decades after it was
bottled.
a) Find the pressure of the gas when
i. the wine was bottled
ii. 40 years later after it was bottled

b) When will the pressure reach 0.5 atm?

Answers

a)
𝑃(0) = log 9 (4(0)2 + 2) = log 9 2 ≈ 0.3155 𝑎𝑡𝑚
𝑃(4) = log 9 (4(4)2 + 2) = log 9 66 ≈ 1.9068 𝑎𝑡𝑚

b) 0.5 = log 9 (4𝑡 2 + 2)

2 +2)
90.5 = 9log9(4𝑡
3 = 4𝑡 2 + 2
4𝑡 2 − 1 = 0
(2𝑡 − 1)(2𝑡 + 1) = 0
1
𝑡=2 (which means 5 years after the wine was bottled)
1
𝑡 = −2 (makes no sense in the context)
Question 9

a) Find the simplest factored form of the polynomial p( x )  x 3  2 x 2  4 x  8 .

b) Use your answer to question (a) to identify the domain of the function
r ( x)  x 3  2x 2  4x  8 .
c) Use your answer to question (a) to identify the domain of the function
 
q( x)  ln x 3  2x 2  4x  8 .
d) Use your answer to question (a) to redefine f ( x )  x 3  2 x 2  4 x  8 as a piecewise
function.

Solutions

 
a) p( x )  x 3  2 x 2  4 x  8  x 2 x  2  4x  2  x 2  4 x  2  x  2x  2
2

p( x )  x  2 x  2 2

Table of signs for p(x)

b) r ( x )   
x 322
x 48 exists as long as 
x x  2 x  22  0 .
 
p( x ) p( x )

The table of signs above shows that x  2 x  2   0 when x  2

2

 
c) q ( x )  ln  
x 3 x
2 2
48  exists as long as 
x x  2x  22  0 .
   
 p( x )  p( x )

The table of signs above shows that x  2x  2  0 when  2  x  2 , x  2

2
d) Absolute values convert to positive all functions that are negative over a given interval.
Using the table of signs for p(x), we deduce that:


f ( x)  x  2x  4x  8  
3 2 
3 2

 x  2 x  4 x  8 ; x  2

x  2 x  4 x  8 ; x  2
3 2
Problem 10
Annabelle and Anabella do not agree about the number of intersections that exist between the
functions 𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 1 + 2 and 𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 9. We would obviously not want their
friendship to end over such a silly matter, so let’s help resolve the issue.
c) Annabelle tried to find the intersections with an algebraic approach, as shown below, and
found TWO possible answers:
𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑔(𝑥)

√𝑥 − 1 + 2 = −𝑥 + 9 Subtracted 2 from both sides

√𝑥 − 1 = −𝑥 + 7
Squared both sides
2
𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 − 14𝑥 + 49
…
What did Annabelle do in the steps shown with arrows above?
Complete the work Annabelle most likely did afterwards and find both 𝑥-values she would get
as a result.

𝑥 − 1 = 𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 + 49
0 = 𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 + 50
0 = 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 5𝑥 + 50
0 = 𝑥(𝑥 − 10) − 5(𝑥 − 10)
0 = (𝑥 − 10)(𝑥 − 5)

(Plausible) intersections occur at 𝑥 = 10 and 𝑥 = 5

d) Anabella, on the other hand, tried to find the intersections with a graphical approach, as
shown, and found only one possible answer.

Complete the work Anabella has started by incorporating the graph of 𝑓(𝑥) and find the 𝑥-
value she would get as a result.

According to the graph, Anabella would (only) find an intersection when 𝑥 = 5. More
specifically, Anabella would obtain (5, 4) as the intersection coordinate point.

e) Who is correct (about the number of intersections) and where did the other person go
wrong?

Although her algebra is impeccable, Annabelle is incorrect. When squaring both sides of the
equation (2nd step that we described earlier), values that have opposite signs (and were
therefore initially different) may then become equal. It is important to verify, after solving, that
𝑦-values actually do agree for the ‘candidate solutions’ that were found. Observe that

𝑓(𝑥) = √𝑥 − 1 + 2 𝑓(5) = √5 − 1 + 2 = 4 𝑓(10) = √10 − 1 + 2 = 5

𝑔(𝑥) = −𝑥 + 9 𝑔(5) = −4 + 9 𝑔(10) =
−10 + 9 = 1
The only intersection occurs, as Anabella observed, at (5,4).
Problem 11
e) Find all 𝑥-values and intervals where 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 is
 Zero  Positive
 Undefined  negative
(show the number line where you tested the signs)

4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 = 𝑥 2 (4 − 𝑥 2 ) = 𝑥 2 (2 − 𝑥)(2 + 𝑥)
Zeros occur when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = −2, 𝑥 = 2
Sign tests:

Conclusion: 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 = 0 when 𝑥 = 0, 𝑥 = −2, 𝑥 = 2

4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 is never undefined
4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 > 0 for 𝑥 ∈ ]−2, 0[ ∪ ]0, 2[
4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 < 0 for 𝑥 ∈ ]−∞, −2[ ∪ ]2, +∞[
1
f) using the answer to a), find the domain of the function 𝑓(𝑥) =
4𝑥 2 −𝑥 4
1
𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 −𝑥 4 is defined as long as 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 ≠ 0, that is, as long as 𝑥 ≠ 0, 𝑥 ≠ −2,
𝑥≠2
𝑑𝑜𝑚(𝑓) = {𝑥 ≠ 0, 𝑥 ≠ −2, 𝑥 ≠ 2}

g) using the answer to a), find the domain of the function 𝑔(𝑥) = √4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4

𝑔(𝑥) = √4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 is defined as long as 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 ≥ 0, that is, as long as −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤

2

𝑑𝑜𝑚(𝑔) = [−2, 2]

√𝑥−1
h) find the domain of the function ℎ(𝑥) = √4𝑥 2
−𝑥4
√𝑥−1
ℎ(𝑥) = √4𝑥 2 −𝑥4
is defined as long as…

1. 𝑥 − 1 ≥ 0, that is when 𝑥 ≥ 1
2. 4𝑥 2 − 𝑥 4 > 0, that is when −2 < 𝑥 < 0 or 0 < 𝑥 < 2
Combining these restrictions, we are left with 𝑑𝑜𝑚(ℎ) = [1, 2[
Should you wish to have more practice on these topics, use:
From the Exercise package: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4
From the Supplementary Exercises: 9, 14