Q. graph of \( f(x) = x^{2} – 7 \lvert x – 2 \rvert \cdot \lvert x – 3 \rvert + 5. \)
Answer
Split at x=2 and x=3. Note A = |x-2||x-3| = x^2-5x+6 for x≤2 or x≥3, and A = −(x^2-5x+6) for 2≤x≤3. Hence
\[
f(x)=x^2-7|x-2||x-3|+5
=
\begin{cases}
-6x^2+35x-37, & x\le2\ \text{or}\ x\ge3,\\[4pt]
8x^2-35x+47, & 2\le x\le3.
\end{cases}
\]
Values at the joins: f(2)=9, f(3)=14 (continuous). The middle piece (2≤x≤3) is upward-opening with vertex at
\[
x_v=\frac{35}{16},\qquad f(x_v)=\frac{279}{32}.
\]
Thus the graph consists of the downward parabola -6x^2+35x-37 on (−∞,2] and [3,∞) joined to the upward parabola 8x^2-35x+47 on [2,3]; the global minimum is at (35/16,\,279/32).
Detailed Explanation
To graph the given function, we must remove the absolute value signs by analyzing the intervals defined by the critical points \(x = 2\) and \(x = 3\).
\[
f(x) = x^2 – 7|x – 2| \cdot |x – 3| + 5
\]
Case 1 is when \(x < 2\). Both expressions inside the absolute values are negative, making \(|x – 2| = -(x – 2)\) and \(|x – 3| = -(x – 3)\). The product of these two negatives is positive, so the function becomes \(f(x) = x^2 – 7(x – 2)(x – 3) + 5\). Expanding the product yields \(f(x) = x^2 – 7(x^2 – 5x + 6) + 5 = -6x^2 + 35x – 37\). This represents a downward-opening parabola for this interval.
Case 2 is when \(2 \le x \le 3\). Here, \(x – 2 \ge 0\) and \(x – 3 \le 0\), making \(|x – 2| = x – 2\) and \(|x – 3| = -(x – 3)\). The function becomes \(f(x) = x^2 + 7(x – 2)(x – 3) + 5\). Expanding this yields \(f(x) = x^2 + 7(x^2 – 5x + 6) + 5 = 8x^2 – 35x + 47\). This represents an upward-opening parabola for this interval.
Case 3 is when \(x > 3\). Both expressions are positive, making \(|x – 2| = x – 2\) and \(|x – 3| = x – 3\). The function evaluates identically to Case 1, giving \(f(x) = -6x^2 + 35x – 37\).
To map the graph accurately, we evaluate the function at the boundary points to ensure continuity. At \(x = 2\), \(f(2) = (2)^2 – 0 + 5 = 9\). At \(x = 3\), \(f(3) = (3)^2 – 0 + 5 = 14\).
We then find the vertex of the middle segment. For the parabola \(y = 8x^2 – 35x + 47\), the x-coordinate of the vertex is \(x = \frac{35}{16} = 2.1875\). The corresponding y-coordinate is \(f(2.1875) \approx 8.72\).
Thus, the graph connects an upward-curving arc between \( (2, 9) \) and \( (3, 14) \) reaching a local minimum at exactly \( (2.1875, 8.71875) \). This middle section is flanked by steep downward-opening parabolic curves extending to negative infinity on both the left and right sides.
Graph
Algebra FAQs
What is the domain of \(f(x)=x^2-7|x-2||x-3|+5\)?.
How do I rewrite \(f\) as a piecewise function?
Is \(f\) continuous and differentiable at \(x=2\) and \(x=3\)?
Where are the x-intercepts (roots) of \(f\)?
What is the y-intercept \(f(0)\)?
Where are local extrema?
What is the end behavior of \(f\)?
Is \(f\) symmetric (even/odd)?
How should I sketch the graph quickly?
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