How do you find the domain of the function #f(x) = sqrt(4 - x^2)#?

1 Answer
Apr 12, 2015

Answer: # -2<= x <= 2#

The domain of any function is the set of values of #x# that can produce a real output #y# or #f(x)#

So you would bear with me that if #4 - x^2 # is negative then you have you would have the square root of a negative number which is imaginary and not real

Hence the function returns a real value when #4 - x^2 # is positive or zero

That is #4 - x^2 >= 0#

Hence we find the range of value that the above inequality represents,

Here we go,

#4 - x^2 >= 0 => (2 - x)(2 + x)>=0#

#=> -1*(x - 2)(x + 2)>=0#

#=> (x - 2)(x + 2)<=0#

#=> -2<= x <= 2# is the required domain!