Final answer:
To determine the domain of a function, you need to check for restrictions, find x-intercepts, evaluate limits, and identify excluded values.
Step-by-step explanation:
The domain of a function is the set of all possible input values (x-values) for which the function is defined. To determine the domain of a function, you can follow these steps:
- Check for any restrictions on the function, such as the presence of vertical asymptotes or excluded values. These can limit the domain.
- Find the x-intercepts of the function. These are the points where the function crosses the x-axis, and they help identify the range of x-values that the function covers.
- Evaluate the limit as x approaches certain values, such as infinity, to see if the function is defined for those values.
- Identify any excluded values, such as the values that would result in division by zero or taking the square root of a negative number. These values are not part of the domain.
By using these steps, you can determine the domain of a function.