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Prove that x²+6x+18 is always greater than


2 - (1)/(x)

For any value of x.

User Marin
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1 Answer

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One way to solve this would be to graph both y=x^2+6x+18 and y=2 - 1/x. If the graph of the polynomial is always higher up (above) the graph of y=2-1/x, that alone is sufficient cause to state that the poly is always greater than 2-1/x.

You could also do this algebraically: write the inequality

x^2+6x+18 > 2 -1/x. This can be rewritten as x^2+6x+18-2+1/x > 0, or
x^2+6x+16+1/x > 0

Try x=-3. Then 9-18+16-1/3 = 6 2/3, which is greater than 0.

Or you could graph x^2+6x+16+1/x by hand or on a calculator. Is the graph always above the x-axis? If so, x²+6x+18 is always greater than 2-1/x.

User Renier
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