Domain of a Root
Part of the Radicals & Rational Exponents section of Coddy's Algebra 2 journey. Lesson 32 of 40.
A radical function has its input under a root, like . Some inputs break it. With input 1 the inside is , which is -8, and no real number squares to a negative. The domain is every input the rule accepts.
To find it, ask for the inside to be at least 0: . Move the -10 across to get , then divide by 2: . The input 5 itself is allowed, since the square root of 0 is 0.
A cube root has no such limit. is -2, because -2 cubed is -8. So accepts every real input. Only an even root, like the square root, shuts out negatives.
Challenge
Find the domain of . The board holds the condition its inside must meet: solve it for x.
Try it yourself
Get alone on one side
This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.
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