Is the function f(x) = 13x^4 – 2x^3 + 7x even, odd or neither?

2 Answers
May 6, 2018

Since it is equal to neither, this function is neither odd or even

Explanation:

Perform a test:

For even functions:
f(x)= f(-x)

For odd functions:
f(x)= -f(x)

Negate the x s in the equation and let's see:
f(x) = 13(-x)^4 – 2(-x)^3 + 7(-x)

f(x) = 13(x)^4 +2(x)^3 - 7(x)

Is this equal to:
f(x), if not this is not an even function

-f(x), if not this is not an odd function
-f(x)= -13(x)^4 + 2(x)^3 -7(x)

Since it is equal to neither, this function is neither odd or even

May 6, 2018

neither

Explanation:

Given: f(x) = 14x^4 - 2x^3 +7x

If a function is even, it is symmetric about the y- axis: f(-x) = f(x)

If a function is odd, it is symmetric about origin y- axis: f(-x) = -f(x)

Assuming we don't have access to a graphing calculator, let's test for even #f(-x) = f(x):

original function: f(x) = 14x^4 - 2x^3 +7x

Replace x by -x:
f(-x) = 14(-x)^4 - 2(-x)^3 +7(-x)

f(-x) = 14x^4 + 2x^3 -7x != f(x)" " Not an even function

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Test for an odd function, f(-x) = -f(x):

original function: f(x) = 14x^4 - 2x^3 +7x

-f(x) = -(14x^4 - 2x^3 +7x) = -14x^4 + 2x^3 -7x

Replace x by -x and f(x) by -f(x):
-f(-x) = 14(-x)^4 - 2(-x)^3 +7(-x)

f(-x) = -(14x^4 + 2x^3 -7x)

f(-x) = -14x^4 - 2x^3 +7x != - f(x)