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C-18 Appendix C<br />
MINI PROJECT<br />
Correcting a Graphing Utility Display<br />
As background for this discussion, you need to recall the definitions from intermediate<br />
algebra for expressions of the form 1 n x and x 1n , where n is a positive<br />
integer. See Appendices B.2 and B.3 if you need a reminder, or have someone in<br />
the group consult the appendix and present the definitions and relevant examples<br />
to the group at large.<br />
Some graphing utilities produce incomplete graphs for root functions<br />
y 1 n x when n is an odd integer. To find out how your graphing utility operates<br />
in this respect, try the function y 1 3 x on your graphing utility, and compare<br />
your result to Figures A and B. (You might need to enter the function in the<br />
form y x 13 .)<br />
The reason for the incomplete graph in Figure A is that the graphing utility<br />
used requires nonnegative inputs in computing roots, even cube roots. Suppose<br />
for this discussion that you have this type of graphing utility. Find a way to use<br />
the techniques in this section to produce a correct graph, one similar to that<br />
shown in Figure B.<br />
2<br />
2<br />
0<br />
0<br />
_2<br />
_3 0 3<br />
Figure A<br />
An incomplete graph of y 1 3 x<br />
_2<br />
_3 0 3<br />
Figure B<br />
A complete graph of y 1 3 x
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