Q. f(x)=(x−2)(x+4)(x+5)(x−1)(x−9) has zeros at x=−5,x=−4,x=1,x=2, and x=9.What is the sign of f on the interval −4<x<1 ?Choose 1 answer:(A) f is always positive on the interval.(B) f is always negative on the interval.(C) f is sometimes positive and sometimes negative on the interval.
Sign Change at Zeros: Since f(x) is a product of linear factors, the sign of f(x) changes at each zero of the function.
Consistent Sign Interval: Between the zeros x=−4 and x=1, there are no other zeros, so the sign of f(x) will be consistent in this interval.
Determining Sign at Test Point: To determine the sign of f(x) in the interval -4 < x < 1, we can pick a test point in the interval, like x=0.
Calculate f(0): Plug x=0 into f(x) to get f(0)=(0−2)(0+4)(0+5)(0−1)(0−9).
Final Calculation: Calculate f(0)=(−2)(4)(5)(−1)(−9).
Conclusion:f(0)=−2×4×5×−1×−9=−360, which is negative.
Conclusion:f(0)=−2×4×5×−1×−9=−360, which is negative.Since f(0) is negative and there are no zeros between −4 and 1, f(x) is always negative on the interval -4 < x < 1.