Thread: How to find the intercepts of y=x^3-3x

How to find the intercepts of y=x^3-3x. I keep coming up with x intercept= (sq.rt. 1, 0) and y intercept (0,0) but was told a part of that answer or the whole thing is wrong or it is incomplete.

Originally Posted by kmerr98277

How to find the intercepts of y=x^3-3x. I keep coming up with x intercept= (sq.rt. 1, 0) and y intercept (0,0) but was told a part of that answer or the whole thing is wrong or it is incomplete.

There are three x-intercepts. Solve

(x^2-3) factors to (x-3) and (x-1). so...x intercepts are (3,0) and (-1,0)?

Originally Posted by kmerr98277

(x^2-3) factors to (x-3) and (x-1).

No it does not factor that way.

so... x intercepts are (sq.rt.3,0) and (-sq.rt.3, 0) and i have no idea about the third intercept. How do you enter symbols into the forum? Thanks a lot!!

Originally Posted by kmerr98277

i have no idea about the third intercept. How do you enter symbols into the forum?

The third is

[TEX](x-\sqrt{3})(x+\sqrt{3})[/TEX] gives