Chapter 11: Problem 51
Sketch the graph of the function. $$y=x^{2}$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph of the function \(y = x^{2}\) is a parabola with its vertex at the origin, (0,0), and opens upward.
Step by step solution
01
Identifying the type of function
The function \(y = x^{2}\) is a basic example of a quadratic function. The general form of a quadratic function is \(y = ax^{2} + bx + c\), but in this case, \(a = 1\), \(b = 0\) and \(c = 0\). The function makes a 'U'-shaped curve called a parabola.
02
Plot suitable values
Choose a range of x-values (including negative, positive, and zero), and find the corresponding y-values by substituting each x-value into the function. In this case, the chosen x-values could be \(-2,-1,0,1,2\). The corresponding y-values for these x-values would respectively be \(4,1,0,1,4\).
03
Sketch the graph
Next plot these pairs of values (x,y) on the graph as coordinate points. Joining these points will give a smooth curve of the function \(y = x^{2}\). The parabola has its vertex (its lowest point, because it opens upward) at (0,0).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabola
A parabola is a symmetrical, U-shaped curve that represents the graph of a quadratic function. It's named after the geometric shape that forms when a plane slices through a cone parallel to its side. Quadratic functions like \(y = x^2\) have a standard form equation of \(y = ax^2 + bx + c\). The parabola will open upwards if \(a\) is positive and downwards if \(a\) is negative. Parabolas have unique characteristics such as:
- A single axis of symmetry, which in this case is the y-axis.
- The curve is symmetric with respect to this axis.
- The lowest or highest point of a parabola is known as the vertex.
Graph Sketching
Graph sketching involves visually representing mathematical functions, such as quadratic functions, on a coordinate plane. It's a powerful tool that conveys complex algebraic relationships in an easy-to-understand way. To sketch the graph of \(y = x^2\), follow these steps:
- Identify the key features, like the axis of symmetry and the vertex.
- Choose relevant x-values, such as \(-2, -1, 0, 1,\) and \(2\), and compute their corresponding y-values: 4, 1, 0, 1, and 4.
- Plot these (x, y) coordinates on the graph.
- Draw a smooth curve through the points to complete the parabola.
Function Plot
In mathematics, a function plot is a graphical representation of a function's behavior. For a quadratic function like \(y = x^2\), the plot will showcase the shape of the parabola, helping us visualize how the function behaves. Key aspects of plotting the quadratic function \(y = x^2\):
- The graph is centered around the origin (0,0).
- All points on the graph are equidistant from the y-axis due to symmetry.
- As \(x\) increases or decreases, \(y\) values rise, shown by the parabola opening upwards.
Vertex of a Parabola
The vertex of a parabola is its turning point, a critical feature where the curve changes direction. In the quadratic function \(y = x^2\), the vertex is at the point (0,0), also known as the origin. Understanding the vertex is important because:
- It is the minimum or maximum point of the parabola.
- The vertex provides a reference point for the graph's symmetry.
- It's the lowest point on the graph for upward-opening parabolas like \(y = x^2\).