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For the function \( h(x)=\frac{3 x}{(x-7)(x+8)} \), solve the following inequality. \( h(x) \geq 0 \)

Ask by Grant Nichols. in the United States
Mar 20,2025

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Answer

The solution to the inequality \( h(x) \geq 0 \) is \( x \) in the intervals \( (-8, 0] \) and \( (7, \infty) \).

Solution

1. Write the function: \[ h(x)=\frac{3x}{(x-7)(x+8)} \] 2. Identify the critical points where either the numerator or denominator is zero: - Numerator zero: \[ 3x=0\quad \Longrightarrow \quad x=0. \] - Denominator zero: \[ x-7=0\quad \Longrightarrow \quad x=7; \] \[ x+8=0\quad \Longrightarrow \quad x=-8. \] The points \( x=-8 \) and \( x=7 \) are not in the domain. 3. Divide the real line into intervals determined by the points \( -8 \), \( 0 \), and \( 7 \): - \( (-\infty,-8) \) - \( (-8,0) \) - \( (0,7) \) - \( (7,\infty) \) 4. Choose a test point in each interval to determine the sign of \( h(x) \). - For \( x \in (-\infty,-8) \) (e.g., \( x=-10 \)): - Numerator: \( 3(-10)=-30 \) (negative). - Denominator: \[ (-10-7)(-10+8)=(-17)(-2)=34 \quad \text{(positive)}. \] - So, \( h(x) \) is negative. - For \( x \in (-8,0) \) (e.g., \( x=-4 \)): - Numerator: \( 3(-4)=-12 \) (negative). - Denominator: \[ (-4-7)(-4+8)=(-11)(4)=-44 \quad \text{(negative)}. \] - Negative divided by negative yields positive, so \( h(x) \) is positive. - For \( x \in (0,7) \) (e.g., \( x=1 \)): - Numerator: \( 3(1)=3 \) (positive). - Denominator: \[ (1-7)(1+8)=(-6)(9)=-54 \quad \text{(negative)}. \] - Positive divided by negative yields negative, so \( h(x) \) is negative. - For \( x \in (7,\infty) \) (e.g., \( x=10 \)): - Numerator: \( 3(10)=30 \) (positive). - Denominator: \[ (10-7)(10+8)=(3)(18)=54 \quad \text{(positive)}. \] - Positive divided by positive is positive, so \( h(x) \) is positive. 5. Analyze the equality condition \( h(x) \geq 0 \): - \( h(x) \) is positive for \( x \in (-8,0) \) and \( x \in (7,\infty) \). - The function equals zero when the numerator is zero (and denominator is nonzero), which occurs at \( x=0 \). Since \( x=0 \) lies in the interval \( (-8,0) \), it can be included. 6. Write the solution set, keeping in mind that \( x=-8 \) and \( x=7 \) are not in the domain: \[ x\in (-8,0] \cup (7,\infty) \] Thus, the solution is: \[ \boxed{(-8,0] \cup (7,\infty)} \]

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To solve the inequality \( h(x) \geq 0 \) for the function \( h(x)=\frac{3 x}{(x-7)(x+8)} \), we need to determine where the function is positive or zero. First, identify the critical points by setting the numerator and denominator to zero: 1. **Numerator**: \( 3x = 0 \) implies \( x = 0 \). 2. **Denominator**: \( (x - 7)(x + 8) = 0 \) gives us \( x = 7 \) and \( x = -8 \). Now, these critical points divide the number line into intervals. We have the points \( -8 \), \( 0 \), and \( 7 \). Test the sign of \( h(x) \) in each interval: - For \( x < -8 \) (e.g., \( x = -9 \)): \( h(-9) = \frac{3(-9)}{((-9)-7)((-9)+8)} \) is negative. - For \( -8 < x < 0 \) (e.g., \( x = -1 \)): \( h(-1) = \frac{3(-1)}{((-1)-7)((-1)+8)} \) is positive. - For \( 0 < x < 7 \) (e.g., \( x = 1 \)): \( h(1) = \frac{3(1)}{(1-7)(1+8)} \) is negative. - For \( x > 7 \) (e.g., \( x = 8 \)): \( h(8) = \frac{3(8)}{(8-7)(8+8)} \) is positive. Next, consider the points where \( h(x) = 0 \) or is undefined. The function is zero at \( x = 0 \) and undefined at \( x = -8 \) and \( x = 7 \). Thus, the solution to the inequality \( h(x) \geq 0 \) is \( x \in [-8, 0] \cup (7, \infty) \).

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