Question
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For the function \( f(x) \), find the maximum number of real zeros, the maximum number of \( x \)-intercepts, and the maximum number of turning points that the function can have. \( f(x)=-6 x-x^{3} \)

Ask by Wells Stuart. in the United States
Mar 11,2025

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Answer

The function \( f(x) = -6x - x^3 \) has: - 1 real zero, - 1 \(x\)-intercept, - 0 turning points.

Solution

We start with the given function: \[ f(x)=-6x-x^3. \] **Step 1. Factor the Function** Factor out the common term: \[ f(x)=-x(x^2+6). \] **Step 2. Find the Real Zeros** Set \( f(x)=0 \): \[ -x(x^2+6)=0. \] This equation is satisfied when either factor is zero: - For \(-x=0\), we get \( x=0 \). - For \(x^2+6=0\), we have: \[ x^2=-6. \] Since \(-6\) is negative, this equation has no real solutions. Thus, the only real zero is at \( x=0 \). **Step 3. Determine the Maximum Number of \(x\)-Intercepts** The \(x\)-intercepts are the points on the graph where \( f(x)=0 \). Since we found only one real zero, the graph has exactly one \(x\)-intercept at: \[ (0,0). \] **Step 4. Find the Turning Points** Turning points occur where the derivative of \( f(x) \) is zero. First, compute the derivative: \[ f'(x) = \frac{d}{dx}(-6x) + \frac{d}{dx}(-x^3) = -6 - 3x^2. \] Set the derivative equal to zero: \[ -6 - 3x^2=0. \] Solve for \( x \): \[ -3x^2=6 \quad\Longrightarrow\quad x^2=-2. \] Since there is no real solution to \( x^2=-2 \), the function has no turning points. **Final Answers:** - Maximum number of real zeros: \(1\) - Maximum number of \(x\)-intercepts: \(1\) - Maximum number of turning points: \(0\)

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Bonus Knowledge

To analyze the function \( f(x) = -6x - x^3 \), we can rewrite it in a more recognizable form: \[ f(x) = -x^3 - 6x \] This is a cubic polynomial, which means it has the potential for a maximum of three real zeros (the maximum number of roots for a polynomial is equal to its degree). Next, we can find the \( x \)-intercepts by setting \( f(x) = 0 \). Since it’s a cubic function, it can cross the x-axis at most three times, which means it can have a maximum of three \( x \)-intercepts. Regarding the turning points, we can use the derivative to find them. The derivative \( f'(x) = -3x^2 - 6 \) is a quadratic equation. Setting this to zero will help us find the turning points. However, since \( -3x^2 - 6 \) is always negative (as the expression \( -3x^2 \) dominates), there are no real solutions for the derivative being zero, indicating that there are no turning points. In summary, the maximum number of real zeros is 3, the maximum number of \( x \)-intercepts is 3, and the maximum number of turning points is 0.

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