Chapter 1.3, Problem 11E

To determine

To find: The zeros of the function $f\left(x\right)=3^x-0.5$ with the help of graph.

Answer to Problem 11E

The zeros of the function $f\left(x\right)=3^x-0.5$ is $x=-0.631$.

Explanation of Solution

Given information:

The function is $f\left(x\right)=3^x-0.5$.

Calculation:

The zeros of the function are the values of $x$ where the graph of the function meets the $x$ -axis.

To graph a function $f\left(x\right)=3^x-0.5$ , follow the steps using graphing calculator.

First press “ON” button on graphical calculator, press $\boxed{\text{Y}=}$ key and enter right hand side of the equation $f\left(x\right)=3^x-0.5$ after the symbol ${\text{Y}}_1$ . Enter the keystrokes $\boxed{3}\boxed{^}\boxed{(}\boxed{\text{X}}\boxed{)}\boxed{-}\boxed{0.5}$.

The display will show the equation,

  ${\text{Y}}_{\text{1}}=3^{\text{X}}-0.5$

Now, press the $\boxed{\text{GRAPH}}$ key and $\boxed{\text{TRACE}}$ key to produce the graph of given quadratic equation in standard window as shown below.

  

Figure (1)

The graph of the function $f\left(x\right)=3^x-0.5$ meets the $x$ -axis at the point $-0.631$.

Therefore, the zeros of the function $f\left(x\right)=3^x-0.5$ is $x=-0.631$.