Concept:
The function \(\cos^{-1}(u)\) is defined only when \( -1 \le u \le 1 \). Here, \( u = \log_2(x^2+5x+8) \).
Step 1: Set the inequality constraint.
\[ -1 \le \log_2(x^2+5x+8) \le 1 \]
Step 2: Transform into exponential form.
Since the base 2 is greater than 1, the inequality direction is preserved:
\[ 2^{-1} \le x^2+5x+8 \le 2^1 \Rightarrow 0.5 \le x^2+5x+8 \le 2 \]
Step 3: Solve the inequalities.
1. \( x^2+5x+8 \le 2 \Rightarrow x^2+5x+6 \le 0 \Rightarrow (x+2)(x+3) \le 0 \).
This yields \( x \in [-3, -2] \).
2. \( x^2+5x+8 \ge 0.5 \Rightarrow x^2+5x+7.5 \ge 0 \).
The discriminant \( D = 25 - 4(7.5) = -5 \). Since \( D < 0 \) and the leading coefficient is positive, this part is always true for all real \( x \).
The intersection is \([-3, -2]\).
[-3, -2]