Use j(x) = 12x^3/5 - 27x/5 and then use the x-values x=0, x =3/2, and x = -3/2 and determine whether the graph will be above the x-axis or below the x-axis in each region. Make it simple and use simple symbols

1 answer

To determine whether the graph of \( j(x) = \frac{12}{5} x^3 - \frac{27}{5} x \) is above or below the x-axis at the specified x-values (\( x = 0 \), \( x = \frac{3}{2} \), and \( x = -\frac{3}{2} \)), we can evaluate \( j(x) \) at each point and analyze the signs.

  1. At \( x = 0 \): \[ j(0) = \frac{12}{5}(0^3) - \frac{27}{5}(0) = 0 \]

    • Result: \( j(0) = 0 \) → On the x-axis
  2. At \( x = \frac{3}{2} \): \[ j\left(\frac{3}{2}\right) = \frac{12}{5}\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^3 - \frac{27}{5}\left(\frac{3}{2}\right) \] Calculate \( \left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^3 = \frac{27}{8} \): \[ j\left(\frac{3}{2}\right) = \frac{12}{5} \cdot \frac{27}{8} - \frac{27}{5} \cdot \frac{3}{2} \] \[ = \frac{12 \cdot 27}{40} - \frac{27 \cdot 3}{10} \] \[ = \frac{324}{40} - \frac{81}{10} = \frac{324}{40} - \frac{324}{40} = 0 \]

    • Result: \( j\left(\frac{3}{2}\right) = 0 \) → On the x-axis
  3. At \( x = -\frac{3}{2} \): \[ j\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right) = \frac{12}{5}\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)^3 - \frac{27}{5}\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right) \] Calculate \( \left(-\frac{3}{2}\right)^3 = -\frac{27}{8} \): \[ j\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right) = \frac{12}{5} \cdot \left(-\frac{27}{8}\right) + \frac{27}{5} \cdot \frac{3}{2} \] \[ = -\frac{324}{40} + \frac{81}{10} = -\frac{324}{40} + \frac{324}{40} = 0 \]

    • Result: \( j\left(-\frac{3}{2}\right) = 0 \) → On the x-axis

Summary:

  • For \( x < -\frac{3}{2} \): Above the x-axis
  • For \( x = -\frac{3}{2} \): On the x-axis
  • For \( -\frac{3}{2} < x < 0 \): Above the x-axis
  • For \( x = 0 \): On the x-axis
  • For \( 0 < x < \frac{3}{2} \): Above the x-axis
  • For \( x = \frac{3}{2} \): On the x-axis
  • For \( x > \frac{3}{2} \): Above the x-axis

So the graph will be on the x-axis at \( x = 0, x = \frac{3}{2}, \) and \( x = -\frac{3}{2} \), and will be above the x-axis in the other regions around these points.