Questions: QUESTION 4
Find the x-intercepts and y-intercept of the following function.
f(x)=(x-1)(x+1)(x+2)
Transcript text: QUESTION 4
Find the $x$-intercepts and $y$-intercept of the following function.
\[
f(x)=(x-1)(x+1)(x+2)
\]
Solution
Solution Steps
To find the $x$-intercepts of the function, we need to determine the values of $x$ for which $f(x) = 0$. This involves solving the equation $(x-1)(x+1)(x+2) = 0$. The $y$-intercept is found by evaluating the function at $x = 0$, which gives $f(0)$.
Step 1: Find the \(x\)-intercepts
To find the \(x\)-intercepts of the function \(f(x) = (x-1)(x+1)(x+2)\), we set the function equal to zero and solve for \(x\):
\[
(x-1)(x+1)(x+2) = 0
\]
The solutions to this equation are the values of \(x\) that make the function zero. Solving the equation, we find:
\[
x = -2, \quad x = -1, \quad x = 1
\]
Step 2: Find the \(y\)-intercept
The \(y\)-intercept of the function is found by evaluating the function at \(x = 0\):
\[
f(0) = (0-1)(0+1)(0+2) = (-1)(1)(2) = -2
\]
Thus, the \(y\)-intercept is \(-2\).
Final Answer
\(\boxed{x = -2, \, x = -1, \, x = 1, \, y = -2}\)