Question

You are having a conference call with the CEO of a paper company. You have interpreted the number of trees cut down versus profit as the function P(x) = −x4 + x3 + 7x2 − x − 6. Describe to the CEO what the graph looks like and, in general, how to sketch the graph without using technology. Use complete sentences, and focus on the end behaviors of the graph and where the company will break even (where P(x) = 0)

Answer 1

I know how to find the end behaviors, but how do i find the break even point?

Answer 2

The break even point will be where P(x)=0, so you can solve by setting the function equal to 0, or graph the function and see where it hits the x-axis. The last point is the break even point

Answer 3

so positive three?