What is the domain of h(x)=sqrt(( x- (3x^2)))?

1 Answer
Sep 9, 2015

Domain: (0, 1/3)

Explanation:

Right from the start, you know that the domain of the function must only include values of x that will make the expression under the square root positive.

In other words, you need to exclude from the function's domain any value of x will result in

x - 3x^2 < 0

The expression under the square root can be factored to give

x - 3x^2 = x * (1 - 3x)

Make this expression equal to zero to find the values of x that make it negative.

x * (1 - 3x) = 0 implies {(x = 0), (x = 1/3) :}

So, in order for this expression to be positive, you need to have
x>0 and (1-3x) > 0, or x<0 and (1-3x)<0.

Now, for x<0, you have

{(x<0), (1 - 3x > 0) :} implies x * (1-3x) < 0

Likewise, for x > 1/3, you have

{(x > 0), (1 - 3x > 0) :} implies x * (1-3x) < 0

This means that the only values of x that will make that expression positive can be found in the interval x in (0, 1/3).

Any other value of x will cause the expression under the square root to be negative. The domain of the function will thus be x in (0, 1/3).

graph{sqrt(x-3x^2) [-0.466, 0.866, -0.289, 0.377]}