Chapter 11: Problem 13
Find the vertex of the graph of each quadratic function. Determine whether the graph opens upward or downward, find any intercepts, and graph the function. $$ f(x)=x^{2}+4 x-5 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Vertex: (-2, -9); opens upward; intercepts: x=(-5,0),(1,0), y=(0,-5).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the coefficients
In the quadratic function \(f(x) = x^2 + 4x - 5\), the coefficients are identified as follows: \(a = 1\), \(b = 4\), and \(c = -5\).
02
Determine the vertex using the vertex formula
The vertex \((h, k)\) of a parabola given by a quadratic function \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\) can be found using the formula \(h = -\frac{b}{2a}\). Here, \(h = -\frac{4}{2 \times 1} = -2\). Substitute \(x = -2\) into the function to find \(k\): \(k = (-2)^2 + 4(-2) - 5 = 4 - 8 - 5 = -9\). Thus, the vertex is \((-2, -9)\).
03
Determine the direction of the parabola
A parabola opens upward if \(a > 0\) and downward if \(a < 0\). Since \(a = 1\) (which is positive), the graph of the function opens upward.
04
Find the x-intercepts
To find the x-intercepts, set \(f(x) = 0\) and solve for \(x\): \(x^2 + 4x - 5 = 0\). Factoring the quadratic equation gives \((x + 5)(x - 1) = 0\), so the solutions are \(x = -5\) and \(x = 1\). Therefore, the x-intercepts are at \(x = -5\) and \(x = 1\).
05
Find the y-intercept
The y-intercept of a function is the point where \(x = 0\). Substituting \(x = 0\) into the function gives \(f(0) = (0)^2 + 4(0) - 5 = -5\). Thus, the y-intercept is \((0, -5)\).
06
Summarize graphing information
The function \(f(x) = x^2 + 4x - 5\) has the vertex \((-2, -9)\) and it opens upward. The x-intercepts are \((-5, 0)\) and \((1, 0)\), and the y-intercept is \((0, -5)\). This information, along with the vertex and intercepts, helps in graphing the parabola.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vertex of Parabola
In a quadratic function, the vertex is a crucial point as it indicates the peak or the lowest dip of the graph. For the quadratic equation \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), the vertex can be found using the vertex formula: \( h = -\frac{b}{2a} \) and \( k = f(h) \).
For the problem \( f(x) = x^2 + 4x - 5 \), we begin by identifying the coefficients: \( a = 1 \), \( b = 4 \), and \( c = -5 \). Plug these into the formula to find \( h \):
\( h = -\frac{4}{2 \times 1} = -2 \)
Next, substitute \( h = -2 \) back into the function to compute \( k \):
\( k = (-2)^2 + 4(-2) - 5 = -9 \)
Thus, the vertex of this parabola is at \( (-2, -9) \). This point informs us about the extremum of the parabola's graph.
For the problem \( f(x) = x^2 + 4x - 5 \), we begin by identifying the coefficients: \( a = 1 \), \( b = 4 \), and \( c = -5 \). Plug these into the formula to find \( h \):
Next, substitute \( h = -2 \) back into the function to compute \( k \):
Thus, the vertex of this parabola is at \( (-2, -9) \). This point informs us about the extremum of the parabola's graph.
Graphing Quadratic Equations
Graphing a quadratic function involves plotting points and understanding its shape. The basic form of a quadratic equation is \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), and its graph is a parabola. Here, we are working with a standard parabola equation.
To effectively graph the function:
To effectively graph the function:
- Plot the vertex \((-2, -9)\) as it indicates the graph's turning point.
- Plot the intercepts that we have calculated, which provide points where the graph crosses the axes.
- Sketch the parabola by considering its direction of opening.
Parabola Intercepts
Intercepts are essential to understanding the graph's intersections with the axes.
**X-intercepts:** These points occur where the graph crosses the x-axis, meaning \( f(x) = 0 \). Solve this equation:\[ x^2 + 4x - 5 = 0 \] Factoring gives us:
**Y-intercept:** This is where \( x = 0 \) in the equation. Substitute it to find:
\[ f(0) = 0^2 + 4(0) - 5 = -5 \] So, the y-intercept is at \((0, -5)\). Each intercept serves as a guidepost to shape the final graph.
**X-intercepts:** These points occur where the graph crosses the x-axis, meaning \( f(x) = 0 \). Solve this equation:\[ x^2 + 4x - 5 = 0 \] Factoring gives us:
- \((x + 5)(x - 1) = 0\)
- Thus, \(x = -5\) and \(x = 1\)
**Y-intercept:** This is where \( x = 0 \) in the equation. Substitute it to find:
\[ f(0) = 0^2 + 4(0) - 5 = -5 \] So, the y-intercept is at \((0, -5)\). Each intercept serves as a guidepost to shape the final graph.
Direction of Parabola Opening
The direction in which a parabola opens is directly influenced by the coefficient \( a \) in the quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c \).
This means the parabola opens upwards, forming a 'U' shape. Understanding the direction of the opening is vital as it indicates whether the vertex is a minimum or maximum point. Since \( a > 0 \), the vertex at \( (-2, -9) \) is a minimum.
- If \( a > 0 \), the parabola opens upward.
- If \( a < 0 \), it opens downward.
This means the parabola opens upwards, forming a 'U' shape. Understanding the direction of the opening is vital as it indicates whether the vertex is a minimum or maximum point. Since \( a > 0 \), the vertex at \( (-2, -9) \) is a minimum.