You are having a meeting with the CEO of a technology company. You have interpreted the number of laptops produced versus profit as the function P(x) = x4 -3x3 -8x2 + 12x + 16. Describe to the CEO what the graph looks like. Use complete sentences, and focus on the end behaviors of the graph and where the company will break even (where P(x) = 0).

Question

anonymous · Answer

So to describe the graph, let's look at the order of the graph. What order is that equation?

anonymous · Answer

oh i can describe the graph.  i need help with the last part @AMelch8

anonymous · Answer

Are you allowed to use a graphing calculator for this question?

anonymous · Answer

no

anonymous · Answer

its like an essay question @AMelch8

anonymous · Answer

. Use complete sentences, and focus on the end behaviors of the graph and where the company will break even (where P(x) = 0).

anonymous · Answer

Okay, let's assume that you aren't going to plot that graph. Would it help if you right the equation like y=x4 -3x3 -8x2 + 12x + 16? And now they are asking "What values of x do we break even if we break even at y=0".

anonymous · Answer

so to find where the company will break i set y=0 and then solve for x? @AMelch8

anonymous · Answer

i got it thanks!!!