Questions: Find the domain of the logarithmic function.
f(x)=ln(x^2-25)
The domain of f(x) is .
(Type your answer in interval notation.)
Transcript text: Find the domain of the logarithmic function.
\[
f(x)=\ln \left(x^{2}-25\right)
\]
The domain of $f(x)$ is $\square$ $\square$.
(Type your answer in interval notation.)
Solution
Solution Steps
To find the domain of the logarithmic function \( f(x) = \ln(x^2 - 25) \), we need to determine the values of \( x \) for which the expression inside the logarithm is positive. This means solving the inequality \( x^2 - 25 > 0 \).
Solution Approach
Set up the inequality \( x^2 - 25 > 0 \).
Solve for \( x \) by factoring the quadratic expression.
Determine the intervals where the inequality holds true.
Express the solution in interval notation.
Step 1: Set Up the Inequality
To find the domain of the function \( f(x) = \ln(x^2 - 25) \), we need to solve the inequality:
\[
x^2 - 25 > 0
\]
Step 2: Factor the Expression
The expression can be factored as:
\[
(x - 5)(x + 5) > 0
\]
Step 3: Determine the Intervals
To solve the inequality \( (x - 5)(x + 5) > 0 \), we find the critical points where the expression equals zero:
\[
x - 5 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = 5
\]
\[
x + 5 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad x = -5
\]
These critical points divide the number line into three intervals: \( (-\infty, -5) \), \( (-5, 5) \), and \( (5, \infty) \).
Step 4: Test the Intervals
We test each interval to determine where the product is positive:
For \( x < -5 \) (e.g., \( x = -6 \)): \( (-6 - 5)(-6 + 5) = (-11)(-1) > 0 \)
For \( -5 < x < 5 \) (e.g., \( x = 0 \)): \( (0 - 5)(0 + 5) = (-5)(5) < 0 \)
For \( x > 5 \) (e.g., \( x = 6 \)): \( (6 - 5)(6 + 5) = (1)(11) > 0 \)
Thus, the solution to the inequality is:
\[
(-\infty, -5) \cup (5, \infty)
\]
Final Answer
The domain of \( f(x) \) is:
\[
\boxed{(-\infty, -5) \cup (5, \infty)}
\]