Chapter 4: Problem 20
A quadratic function is given. (a) Express the quadratic function in standard form. (b) Find its vertex and its x- and y-intercept(s). (c) Sketch its graph. $$ f(x)=2 x^{2}+x-6 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The standard form is \( f(x) = 2x^2 + x - 6 \), with vertex \( \left(-\frac{1}{4}, -\frac{49}{8}\right) \), x-intercepts at \( \frac{3}{2} \) and \( -2 \), and y-intercept at \( -6 \).
Step by step solution
01
Write the Quadratic in Standard Form
The function given is already in standard form, which is expressed as \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \). Here, \( a = 2 \), \( b = 1 \), and \( c = -6 \).
02
Find the Vertex
The vertex \((h, k)\) of a quadratic function \( ax^2 + bx + c \) can be found using the formula \( h = -\frac{b}{2a} \). Substituting in the values, \( h = -\frac{1}{2(2)} = -\frac{1}{4} \). To find \( k \), evaluate \( f(h) \):\[ f\left(-\frac{1}{4}\right) = 2\left(-\frac{1}{4}\right)^2 + \left(-\frac{1}{4}\right) - 6 \]\[ f\left(-\frac{1}{4}\right) = 2\cdot\frac{1}{16} - \frac{1}{4} - 6 \]\[ = \frac{1}{8} - \frac{2}{8} - \frac{48}{8} = -\frac{49}{8} \].Thus, the vertex is \( \left(-\frac{1}{4}, -\frac{49}{8}\right) \).
03
Find the x-intercepts
To find the x-intercepts, solve the equation \( 2x^2 + x - 6 = 0 \) using the quadratic formula:\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]Substitute \( a = 2 \), \( b = 1 \), \( c = -6 \) into the formula:\[ x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{1^2 - 4 \cdot 2 \cdot (-6)}}{4} \]\[ x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{1 + 48}}{4} \]\[ x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{49}}{4} \]\[ x = \frac{-1 \pm 7}{4} \]\[ x_1 = \frac{6}{4} = \frac{3}{2}, \ x_2 = \frac{-8}{4} = -2 \]Thus, the x-intercepts are \( x = \frac{3}{2} \) and \( x = -2 \).
04
Find the y-intercept
The y-intercept occurs where \( x = 0 \). Substitute \( x = 0 \) into the quadratic:\[ f(0) = 2(0)^2 + 1(0) - 6 = -6 \]Thus, the y-intercept is \( y = -6 \).
05
Sketch the Graph
To sketch the graph, plot the vertex \( \left(-\frac{1}{4}, -\frac{49}{8}\right) \), x-intercepts \( \frac{3}{2} \) and \( -2 \), and the y-intercept \( -6 \). Since \( a = 2 \), the parabola opens upwards. Mark these key points and draw a symmetrical parabola crossing the x-axis at \( \frac{3}{2} \) and \( -2 \), and the y-axis at \( -6 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Standard Form
A quadratic function is often expressed in what is known as the **standard form**. This form simplifies identifying the coefficients and forming the basic structure of the function. The standard form for a quadratic equation is given by:
- \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\)
- \(a\) determines the direction and width of the parabola
- \(b\) and \(c\) adjust its position on the graph
Vertex
The **vertex** of a quadratic function is the point where the parabola either reaches its maximum or minimum value. This is a crucial feature because it provides the coordinates of the turning point. The vertex \((h, k)\) can be found using:
- \(h = -\frac{b}{2a}\)
- \(h = -\frac{1}{2 \times 2} = -\frac{1}{4}\)
- \(f\left(-\frac{1}{4}\right) = 2\left(-\frac{1}{4}\right)^2 + \left(-\frac{1}{4}\right) - 6 = -\frac{49}{8}\)
X-intercepts
**X-intercepts** are points where the graph of a quadratic function crosses the x-axis. To find these intercepts, solve the quadratic equation by setting \(f(x) = 0\):
- \(2x^2 + x - 6 = 0\)
- \(a = 2\), \(b = 1\), \(c = -6\)
- \(x = \frac{-1 \pm \sqrt{49}}{4}\)
- \(x = \frac{-1 \pm 7}{4}\)
Y-intercept
The **y-intercept** is the point where the graph of the quadratic function crosses the y-axis. This occurs when \(x = 0\). To find the y-intercept, simply substitute \(x = 0\) into the function:
- \(f(0) = 2(0)^2 + 1(0) - 6 = -6\)
Graph Sketching
**Graph sketching** of a quadratic function involves plotting its critical points and visually assessing its shape. For a quadratic function like \(f(x) = 2x^2 + x - 6\), you start by:
- Identifying the vertex \((-\frac{1}{4}, -\frac{49}{8})\), which represents the parabola's lowest point, because \(a = 2 > 0\) and indicates it opens upwards.
- Marking the x-intercepts \(x = \frac{3}{2}\) and \(x = -2\), critical for showing where the graph crosses the x-axis.
- Marking the y-intercept at \(y = -6\), where the parabola crosses the y-axis.