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Worked solution

Find three crossings of an exponential and a cubic

Solve the inequality e54x+6≤−2x3−4x2+5x+15e^{\frac54x}+6\leq-2x^3-4x^2+5x+15. marks

[2011/RVHS/Promo/1]

CJC · Review Problems · Question 13

Answer

(−∞,α]∪[β,γ](-\infty,\alpha]\cup[\beta,\gamma], where the intersections are approximately −2.22,−1.29,1.27-2.22,-1.29,1.27.

Method 1: one graph

Sketch y=(e54x+6)−(−2x3−4x2+5x+15)y=(e^{\frac54x}+6)-(-2x^3-4x^2+5x+15). The source gives three zeros approximately −2.22,−1.29,1.27-2.22,-1.29,1.27. Its successive signs are negative, positive, negative, positive. The nonpositive portions give the printed result x≤−2.22x\leq-2.22 or −1.29≤x≤1.27-1.29\leq x\leq1.27, with these boundaries understood as rounded readings.

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Method 2: two graphs

Sketch y=e54x+6y=e^{\frac54x}+6 and y=−2x3−4x2+5x+15y=-2x^3-4x^2+5x+15 on the same axes. The exponential has horizontal asymptote y=6y=6. Mark the same three intersection inputs. The exponential is on or below the cubic before the first crossing and between the second and third crossings, giving the same intervals.

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Boundary precision

Let α<β<γ\alpha<\beta<\gamma be the exact roots of e54x+2x3+4x2−5x−9=0e^{\frac54x}+2x^3+4x^2-5x-9=0. Numerically they are α≈−2.219106617\alpha\approx-2.219106617, β≈−1.287564121\beta\approx-1.287564121 and γ≈1.265696953\gamma\approx1.265696953. The exact set is (−∞,α]∪[β,γ](-\infty,\alpha]\cup[\beta,\gamma].

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Compare your sketch

Expand diagram

Use the scrollbars or arrow keys to inspect details.

Two panels retain the source methods. The difference crosses zero near −2.22, −1.29 and 1.27, with signs negative, positive, negative, positive. The second panel compares the exponential e^(5x/4)+6 with the cubic −2x³−4x²+5x+15 at the same crossings and shows the exponential horizontal asymptote y=6.
Two panels retain the source methods. The difference crosses zero near −2.22, −1.29 and 1.27, with signs negative, positive, negative, positive. The second panel compares the exponential e^(5x/4)+6 with the cubic −2x³−4x²+5x+15 at the same crossings and shows the exponential horizontal asymptote y=6.
Two panels retain the source methods. The difference crosses zero near −2.22, −1.29 and 1.27, with signs negative, positive, negative, positive. The second panel compares the exponential e^(5x/4)+6 with the cubic −2x³−4x²+5x+15 at the same crossings and shows the exponential horizontal asymptote y=6.

Common mistakes

Rounded calculator crossings should not be presented as exact endpoints. All three intersections are included.

Solution notes

The diagrams are independently reconstructed mathematical equivalents. The plotted geometry is illustrative; use the labelled exact or approximate values and the stated domain.

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