To determine the range of the function
f(x)=log3(5+4x−x2), we need to analyze the quadratic expression
5+4x−x2.
The expression
5+4x−x2 is a quadratic function of the form
ax2+bx+c, where
a=−1,b=4, and
c=5.
Since
a=−1<0, the parabola opens downwards, and the quadratic function achieves its maximum value at its vertex.
The maximum value of a quadratic function
ax2+bx+c is given by
−4aD, where
D=b2−4ac is the discriminant.
Calculate the discriminant:
D=42−4×(−1)×5=16+20=36The maximum value of the quadratic
5+4x−x2 is:
−4aD=−4×(−1)36=9This maximum is attained at
x=2, and as
x→−1+ or
x→5− the expression
5+4x−x2→0+, so its range is
(0,9].
Considering the function
f(x)=log3(5+4x−x2), the possible values of
5+4x−x2 determine the input values for the logarithm.
Since
0<5+4x−x2≤9 and
log3 is an increasing function, we get:
log3(5+4x−x2)≤log3(9)Given that
log3(9)=2, we conclude:
f(x)=log3(5+4x−x2)≤2Also, as
5+4x−x2→0+, we have
log3(5+4x−x2)→−∞.
Thus, the range of
f(x) is
(−∞,2].