Question

f(x) = x^3 - 2. how do you determine whether or not the right or left side of the function goes up or down without graphing.

Answer 1

depends on the gradient

Answer 2

It's going to go down because there's a -2 in there...if it were positive 2, it would go up.

Answer 3

since the graph is positive, the right side goes up and the left side goes down

Answer 4

thank you george,
i appreciate your help.

Answer 5

You can look at the x^3 term which is positive...so the right side will go up and the left side will go down. If it were negative, the reverse would be true.

Answer 6

oh ok i understand, thanks.