Chapter 4

A Graphical Approach to College Algebra ยท 362 exercises

Problem 54

Sketch the graph of each power function by hand, using a calculator only to evaluate \(y\)-values for your chosen \(x\) -values. On the same axes, graph \(y=x^{2}\) for comparison. In each case, \(x \geq 0\) $$f(x)=x^{2.7}$$

5 step solution

Problem 54

In some cases, it is possible to solve a rational inequality simply by deciding what sign the numerator and the denominator must have and then using the rules for quotients of positive and negative numbers to determine the solution set. For example, consider the rational inequality $$\frac{1}{x^{2}+1}>0$$ The numerator of the rational expression, \(1,\) is positive, and the denominator, \(x^{2}+1,\) must always be positive because it is the sum of a nomegative number, \(x^{2},\) and a positive number, i. Therefore, the rational expression is the quotient of two positive numbers, which is positive. Because the inequality requires that the rational expression be greater than 0 , and this will always be true, the solution set is ( \(-\infty, \infty\) ). Use similar reasoning to solve each inequality. $$\frac{x^{4}+x^{2}+3}{x^{2}+2}<0$$

5 step solution

Problem 54

Incorporate many concepts from Chapter 3 with the method of solving equations involving roots. Work them in order. Consider the equation $$\sqrt[3]{4 x-4}=\sqrt{x+1}$$ Show that the equation in Exercise 53 is equivalent to \(x^{3}-13 x^{2}+35 x-15=0\)

6 step solution

Problem 54

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{18+6 x-4 x^{2}}{4+6 x+2 x^{2}}$$

5 step solution

Problem 55

Consider the expression \(16^{-3 / 4}\) (a) Simplify this expression without using a calculator. Give the answer in both decimal and \(\frac{a}{b}\) form. (b) Write two different radical expressions that are equivalent to it, and use your calculator to evaluate them to show that the result is the same as the decimal form you found in part (a). (c) If your calculator has the capability to convert decimal numbers to fractions, use it to verify your results in part (a).

5 step solution

Problem 55

In some cases, it is possible to solve a rational inequality simply by deciding what sign the numerator and the denominator must have and then using the rules for quotients of positive and negative numbers to determine the solution set. For example, consider the rational inequality $$\frac{1}{x^{2}+1}>0$$ The numerator of the rational expression, \(1,\) is positive, and the denominator, \(x^{2}+1,\) must always be positive because it is the sum of a nomegative number, \(x^{2},\) and a positive number, i. Therefore, the rational expression is the quotient of two positive numbers, which is positive. Because the inequality requires that the rational expression be greater than 0 , and this will always be true, the solution set is ( \(-\infty, \infty\) ). Use similar reasoning to solve each inequality. $$\frac{x^{4}+x^{2}+3}{x^{2}+2}>0$$

5 step solution

Problem 55

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}+1}{x+3}$$

4 step solution

Problem 56

Consider the expression \(5^{0.47}\). (a) Use the exponentiation capability of your calculator to find an approximation. Give as many digits as your calculator displays. (b) Use the fact that \(0.47=\frac{47}{100}\) to write the expression as a radical, and then use the root-finding capability of your calculator to find an approximation that agrees with the one found in part (a).

3 step solution

Problem 56

In some cases, it is possible to solve a rational inequality simply by deciding what sign the numerator and the denominator must have and then using the rules for quotients of positive and negative numbers to determine the solution set. For example, consider the rational inequality $$\frac{1}{x^{2}+1}>0$$ The numerator of the rational expression, \(1,\) is positive, and the denominator, \(x^{2}+1,\) must always be positive because it is the sum of a nomegative number, \(x^{2},\) and a positive number, i. Therefore, the rational expression is the quotient of two positive numbers, which is positive. Because the inequality requires that the rational expression be greater than 0 , and this will always be true, the solution set is ( \(-\infty, \infty\) ). Use similar reasoning to solve each inequality. $$\frac{(x-1)^{2}}{x^{2}+4}>0$$

4 step solution

Problem 56

Incorporate many concepts from Chapter 3 with the method of solving equations involving roots. Work them in order. Consider the equation $$\sqrt[3]{4 x-4}=\sqrt{x+1}$$ Use synthetic division to show that 3 is a zero of the polynomial $$P(x)=x^{3}-13 x^{2}+35 x-15$$

7 step solution

Problem 56

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{2 x^{2}+3}{x-4}$$

4 step solution

Problem 57

In some cases, it is possible to solve a rational inequality simply by deciding what sign the numerator and the denominator must have and then using the rules for quotients of positive and negative numbers to determine the solution set. For example, consider the rational inequality $$\frac{1}{x^{2}+1}>0$$ The numerator of the rational expression, \(1,\) is positive, and the denominator, \(x^{2}+1,\) must always be positive because it is the sum of a nomegative number, \(x^{2},\) and a positive number, i. Therefore, the rational expression is the quotient of two positive numbers, which is positive. Because the inequality requires that the rational expression be greater than 0 , and this will always be true, the solution set is ( \(-\infty, \infty\) ). Use similar reasoning to solve each inequality. $$\frac{(x-1)^{2}}{x^{2}+4} \leq 0$$

5 step solution

Problem 57

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}+2 x}{2 x-1}$$

6 step solution

Problem 58

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}-x}{x+2}$$

5 step solution

Problem 59

For individual or group investigation (Exercises \(57-60\) ) Duplicate each screen on your calculator. The screens show multiple ways of finding an approximation for \(\sqrt[6]{9}\) Work Exercises \(57-60\) in order using your calculator. In this table, \(Y_{1}=\sqrt[6]{X}\) Use a table to repeat Exercise 57 .

6 step solution

Problem 59

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{3-2 x}{1+x}<0$$

4 step solution

Problem 59

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}-9}{x+3}$$

5 step solution

Problem 59

Incorporate many concepts from Chapter 3 with the method of solving equations involving roots. Work them in order. Consider the equation $$\sqrt[3]{4 x-4}=\sqrt{x+1}$$ What are the three proposed solutions of the original equation, $$\sqrt[3]{4 x-4}=\sqrt{x+1} ?$$

6 step solution

Problem 60

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{3 x-3}{4-2 x} \geq 0$$

5 step solution

Problem 60

Incorporate many concepts from Chapter 3 with the method of solving equations involving roots. Work them in order. Consider the equation $$\sqrt[3]{4 x-4}=\sqrt{x+1}$$ Let \(y_{1}=\sqrt[3]{4 x-4}\) and let \(y_{2}=\sqrt{x+1} .\) Graph \(y_{3}=y_{1}-y_{2}\) in the window \([-2,20]\) by \([-0.5,0.5]\) to determine the number of real solutions of the original equation.

3 step solution

Problem 60

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}-16}{x+4}$$

8 step solution

Problem 61

Solve each problem. Wing Size Suppose that the surface area \(S\) of a bird's wings, in square feet, can be modeled by $$ S(w)=1.27 w^{2 / 3} $$ where \(w\) is the weight of the bird in pounds. Estimate the surface area of a bird's wings if the bird weighs 4.0 pounds.

4 step solution

Problem 61

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{(x+1)(x-2)}{(x+3)}<0$$

6 step solution

Problem 61

Incorporate many concepts from Chapter 3 with the method of solving equations involving roots. Work them in order. Consider the equation $$\sqrt[3]{4 x-4}=\sqrt{x+1}$$ Use both an analytic method and your calculator to solve the original equation.

8 step solution

Problem 61

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{2 x^{2}-5 x-2}{x-2}$$

4 step solution

Problem 62

Solve each problem. Wingspan Suppose that the wingspan \(L\) in feet of a bird weighing \(W\) pounds is given by $$ L=2.43 W^{0.3326} $$ Estimate the wingspan of a bird that weighs 5.2 pounds.

5 step solution

Problem 62

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{x(x-3)}{x+2} \geq 0$$

5 step solution

Problem 62

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}-5}{x-3}$$

6 step solution

Problem 63

Solve each problem. Planetary Orbits The formula $$ f(x)=x^{1.5} $$ calculates the number of years it would take for a planet to orbit the sun if its average distance from the sun is \(x\) times farther than Earth. If there were a planet located 15 times farther from the sun than Earth, how many years would it take for the planet to orbit the sun?

6 step solution

Problem 63

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{(x+1)^{2}}{x-2} \leq 0$$

4 step solution

Problem 63

Complete the following. (a) Simplify the given expression so that it does not have negative exponents. (b) Set the expression from part (a) equal to 0 and solve the resulting equation. $$\frac{\frac{2}{3}(x-2) x^{-1 / 3}-x^{2 / 3}}{(x-2)^{2}}$$

4 step solution

Problem 63

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}-1}{x^{2}-4 x+3}$$

4 step solution

Problem 64

Solve each problem. Sight Distance \(\quad\) A formula for calculating the distance one can see from an airplane to the horizon on a clear day is given by $$ f(x)=1.22 x^{0.5} $$ where \(x\) is the altitude of the plane in feet and \(f(x)\) is in miles. If a plane is flying at \(30,000\) feet, how far can the pilot see?

5 step solution

Problem 64

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{(x-2)^{2}}{2 x}>0$$

6 step solution

Problem 64

Complete the following. (a) Simplify the given expression so that it does not have negative exponents. (b) Set the expression from part (a) equal to 0 and solve the resulting equation. $$\frac{\frac{2}{3}(2 x-1) x^{-1 / 3}-2 x^{2 / 3}}{(2 x-1)^{2}}$$

5 step solution

Problem 64

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{2}-4}{x^{2}+3 x+2}$$

9 step solution

Problem 65

Solve each problem. Trout and Pollution Rainbow trout are sensitive to zinc ions in the water. High concentrations are lethal. The average survival times \(x\) in minutes for trout in various concentrations of zinc ions \(y\) in milligrams per liter \((\mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{L})\) are listed in the table. $$\begin{array}{|c|c|c|c|c|} \hline x \text { (in minutes) } & 0.5 & 1 & 2 & 3 \\ \hline y \text { (in mg/L) } & 4500 & 1960 & 850 & 525 \end{array}$$ (a) The data can be modeled by \(f(x)=a x^{b},\) where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants. Determine \(a\). (Hint: Let \(f(1)=1960\).) (b) Estimate \(b\) (c) Evaluate \(f(4)\) and interpret the result.

5 step solution

Problem 65

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{2 x-5}{x^{2}-1} \geq 0$$

7 step solution

Problem 65

Complete the following. (a) Simplify the given expression so that it does not have negative exponents. (b) Set the expression from part (a) equal to 0 and solve the resulting equation. $$\frac{\frac{1}{3}\left(x^{2}+1\right) x^{-2 / 3}-2 x^{4 / 3}}{\left(x^{2}+1\right)^{2}}$$

3 step solution

Problem 65

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{\left(x^{2}-9\right)(2+x)}{\left(x^{2}-4\right)(3+x)}$$

5 step solution

Problem 66

Asbestos and Cancer Insulation workers who were exposed to asbestos and employed before 1960 experienced an increased likelihood of lung cancer. If a group of insulation workers have a cumulative total of \(100,000\) years of work experience, with their first date of employment \(x\) years ago, then the number of lung cancer cases occurring within the group can be modeled by $$ N(x)=0.00437 x^{3.2} $$ (Source: Walker, A., Observation and Inference: An Introduction to the Methods of Epidemiology, Epidemiology Resources, Inc. \()\) (a) Calculate \(N(x)\) when \(x=5,10,\) and \(20 .\) What happens to the likelihood of cancer as \(x\) increases? (b) If \(x\) doubles, does the number of cancer cases also double?

5 step solution

Problem 66

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{5-x}{x^{2}-x-2}<0$$

8 step solution

Problem 66

Complete the following. (a) Simplify the given expression so that it does not have negative exponents. (b) Set the expression from part (a) equal to 0 and solve the resulting equation. $$\frac{\frac{2}{3}(3 x+2) x^{-1 / 3}-3 x^{2 / 3}}{(3 x+2)^{2}}$$

5 step solution

Problem 66

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{\left(x^{2}-16\right)(3+x)}{\left(x^{2}-9\right)(4+x)}$$

5 step solution

Problem 67

Fiddler Crab Size One study of the male fiddler crab showed a connection between the weight of its claws and the animal's total body weight. For a crab weighing over 0.75 gram, the weight of its claws can be estimated by $$ f(x)=0.445 x^{1.25} $$ The input \(x\) is the weight of the crab in grams, and the output \(f(x)\) is the weight of the claws in grams. Predict the weight of the claws for a crab that weighs 2 grams. (Source: Huxley, J., Problems of Relative Growth, Methuen and Co.; Brown, D. and P. Rothery, Models in Biology: Mathematics, Statistics, and Computing, John Wiley and Sons.)

6 step solution

Problem 67

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{1}{x-3} \leq \frac{5}{x-3}$$

3 step solution

Problem 67

Complete the following. (a) Simplify the given expression so that it does not have negative exponents. (b) Set the expression from part (a) equal to 0 and solve the resulting equation. $$\frac{x^{1 / 4}-x^{-3 / 4}}{x}$$

3 step solution

Problem 67

Sketch a graph of each rational function. Your graph should include all asymptotes. Do not use a calculator. $$f(x)=\frac{x^{4}-20 x^{2}+64}{x^{4}-10 x^{2}+9}$$

6 step solution

Problem 68

Weight and Height of Men The average weight for a man can sometimes be estimated by $$ f(x)=0.117 x^{1.7} $$ where \(x\) represents the man's height in inches and \(f(x)\) is his weight in pounds. What is the average weight of a 68 -inch-tall man?

5 step solution

Problem 68

Solve each rational inequality by hand. Do not use a calculator. $$\frac{3}{2-x}>\frac{x}{2+x}$$

7 step solution

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