A polynomial function p is given by p(x)=−x(x−4)(x+2). What are all intervals on which p(x)≥0 ?(A) [−2,4](B) [−2,0]∪[4,∞)(C) (−∞,−4]∪[0,2](D) (−∞,−2]∪[0,4]
Q. A polynomial function p is given by p(x)=−x(x−4)(x+2). What are all intervals on which p(x)≥0 ?(A) [−2,4](B) [−2,0]∪[4,∞)(C) (−∞,−4]∪[0,2](D) (−∞,−2]∪[0,4]
Identify Zeros: Identify the zeros of the polynomial function p(x).p(x)=−x(x−4)(x+2) has zeros at x=0, x=4, and x=−2.
Determine Sign Intervals: Determine the sign of p(x) on the intervals determined by the zeros.The zeros divide the number line into four intervals: (−∞,−2), (−2,0), (0,4), and (4,∞). We will test a point in each interval to determine if p(x) is positive or negative in that interval.
Test Interval −∞ to −2: Test the interval (−∞,−2) by choosing a point less than −2, for example, x=−3. p(−3)=−(−3)((−3)−4)((−3)+2)=−3×(−7)×(−1)=−21, which is negative. So, p(x) is negative on the interval (−∞,−2).
Test Interval −2 to 0: Test the interval (−2,0) by choosing a point between −2 and 0, for example, x=−1.p(−1)=−(−1)((−1)−4)((−1)+2)=1×(−5)×1=−5, which is negative.So, p(x) is negative on the interval (−2,0).
Test Interval 0 to 4: Test the interval (0,4) by choosing a point between 0 and 4, for example, x=2.p(2)=−(2)((2)−4)((2)+2)=−2×(−2)×4=16, which is positive.So, p(x) is positive on the interval (0,4).
Test Interval 4 to ∞: Test the interval (4,∞) by choosing a point greater than 4, for example, x=5.p(5)=−(5)((5)−4)((5)+2)=−5×1×7=−35, which is negative.So, p(x) is negative on the interval (4,∞).
Combine Positive Intervals: Combine the intervals where p(x) is positive or zero.Since p(x) is positive on the interval (0,4), and it is zero at x=0 and x=4, the interval on which p(x) is greater than or equal to 0 is [0,4].
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