I am new to wyzant and I have not received any help with my algebra homework please help me as soon as possible please

Question

1.) Identify the intercepts of f(x) and g(x).

A.) f(x) x-intercepts: −5 and 5

f(x) y-intercept: −25

g(x) x-intercepts: −5 and 5

g(x) y-intercept: −5

B.) f(x) x-intercepts: −5 and 5

f(x) y-intercept: −25

g(x) x-intercepts: −5 and 5

g(x) y-intercept: −25

C.) f(x) x-intercepts: −5 and 5

f(x) y-intercept: 25

g(x) x-intercepts: −1 and 1

g(x) y-intercept: −5

D.) f(x) x-intercepts: −5 and 5

f(x) y-intercept: −25

g(x) x-intercepts: −1 and 1

g(x) y-intercept: −25

2.) Which function should be used to when evaluating the function at x = −5?

A.) 

B.) 

Answer 1

Hi Jonathan J.,

What help do you need with this material? For question (1), you should be able to write g(x) from plugging in the f(x) formula and multiplying by (1/5). Then visualize the functions (they're parabolas, with y-intercepts -25 and -5 respectively), and plug in the proposed x-values to see what you get. Really, that's easy to do! Hint: start with choice A, and only look at choice B if A doesn't work out.

For question 2, the function definition specifies which portions of domain (that's the x-values) you use each of the formulas for. Just compare the specified x value (-5) with the inequalities given. x<=3 is the portion that satisfies, because -5 is <= 3. The sign <= means "either less than, or equal to". So is -5<3 ? You had better say yes; if you do not agree, you should look for a regular in-person Wyzant tutor, because you need some basic concepts drill.

--Cheers, --Mr. d.