The function A = s^2 giving the area of a square as a function of its side length

Linear or Nonlinear:

Domain:

Range:

Increasing or Decreasing:

End behavior:

1 answer

Let's analyze the function \( A = s^2 \) where \( A \) is the area of the square and \( s \) is the side length.

Linear or Nonlinear:

  • Nonlinear: The function \( A = s^2 \) is a quadratic function, which is nonlinear because it does not form a straight line when graphed.

Domain:

  • Domain: Since \( s \) represents the side length of a square, it must be non-negative. Therefore, the domain is \( [0, \infty) \).

Range:

  • Range: The area \( A \) is also non-negative, as the area cannot be negative. Thus, the range is \( [0, \infty) \).

Increasing or Decreasing:

  • Increasing: The function \( A = s^2 \) is increasing for \( s \geq 0 \) because as \( s \) increases, \( A \) increases. The derivative \( \frac{dA}{ds} = 2s \) is positive for \( s > 0 \).

End behavior:

  • End behavior: As \( s \) approaches infinity (\( s \to \infty \)), \( A \) also approaches infinity (\( A \to \infty \)). As \( s \) approaches 0 (\( s \to 0 \)), \( A \) approaches 0 (\( A \to 0 \)). Therefore, the end behavior can be summarized as:
    • As \( s \to 0 \): \( A \to 0 \)
    • As \( s \to \infty \): \( A \to \infty \)

In summary:

  • Linear or Nonlinear: Nonlinear
  • Domain: [0, ∞)
  • Range: [0, ∞)
  • Increasing or Decreasing: Increasing
  • End behavior:
    • \( A \to 0 \) as \( s \to 0 \)
    • \( A \to \infty \) as \( s \to \infty \)