Final answer:
The x-intercepts of a function are found by solving the equation f(x) = 0, as these are the points where the function crosses the x-axis. Among the provided options, the correct one for finding x-intercepts is (c) f(x) = 0.
Step-by-step explanation:
The x-intercepts of a function y = f(x) are the points where the graph of the function crosses the x-axis. At these points, the value of y is zero for the corresponding values of x. To find the x-intercepts, one must set the function equal to zero and solve for the variable x. Therefore, the correct equation to find the x-intercepts of a function would be f(x) = 0. This is factually accurate because, graphically, any point on the x-axis will have a y-coordinate of zero, and mathematically, we solve for when the entire function equals zero to find the roots or solutions that lie on the x-axis.
Considering the provided options, the correct choice is (c) f(x) = 0. Option (a) would find where the function equals one, not the x-intercept; option (b) suggests setting the function equal to its negative value, which does not give an x-intercept; and option (d) implies the function itself is x squared, which isn't relevant to finding the x-intercept unless set equal to zero. Thus, we must choose only one option, and when we mention the correct option in the final answer, it is (c) f(x) = 0.