Chapter 9: Problem 7
Identify the vertex of each parabola. $$ f(x)=\frac{1}{3} x^{2} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vertex of the parabola is (0, 0).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Standard Form
The standard form of a parabola is \[ f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \]. In this case, the function given is \[ f(x) = \frac{1}{3} x^2 \]. Here, \[ a = \frac{1}{3} \], \[ b = 0 \], and \[ c = 0 \].
02
Use the Formula for the Vertex
The vertex of a parabola given by \[ f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \] can be found using the formula \[ x = -\frac{b}{2a} \].
03
Calculate the X-Coordinate
Substitute \[ b = 0 \] and \[ a = \frac{1}{3} \] into the formula: \[ x = -\frac{0}{2 \cdot \frac{1}{3}} = 0 \]. Therefore, the x-coordinate of the vertex is \[ 0 \].
04
Calculate the Y-Coordinate
Substitute \[ x = 0 \] back into the original function to find the y-coordinate: \[ f(0) = \frac{1}{3} (0)^2 = 0 \]. Therefore, the y-coordinate is \[ 0 \].
05
State the Vertex
Combining the x and y coordinates, the vertex of the parabola \[ f(x) = \frac{1}{3} x^2 \] is \[ (0, 0) \].
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Standard Form of a Parabola
To understand parabolas, first, we need to know their standard form. A quadratic function typically describes a parabola and is written as \[ f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \].
- \t
- \( a \) determines the parabola's direction and shape. \t
- \( b \) affects the position of the vertex along the x-axis. \t
- \( c \) denotes the y-intercept.
The Vertex Formula
Next, let's dive into how we use the vertex formula. The vertex is a critical point on the parabola—it represents the maximum or minimum point, depending on the parabola's direction. For any parabola described by \[ f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \],the x-coordinate of the vertex can be found using \[ x = -\frac{b}{2a} \].Let’s break it down:
- \t
- The numerator \( -b \) indicates a reflection across the x-axis. \t
- The denominator \( 2a \) adjusts this value based on the parabola's width and direction.
Quadratic Function
Finally, let’s understand quadratic functions in more general terms. A quadratic function is any function that can be plotted as a parabola. It is essential to recognize that:
- \t
- Any change in \( a \) affects the parabola's width and whether it opens upwards or downwards (positive \( a \) means upwards). \t
- Any non-zero \( b \) shifts the vertex along the x-axis. \t
- \( c \) moves the entire graph up or down the y-axis, indicating where the parabola crosses the y-axis.
- \t
- The vertex at \( (0, 0) \) \t
- No horizontal or vertical shifts since \( b = 0 \) and \( c = 0 \) \t
- An upwards opening parabola that is relatively wide due to \( a = \frac{1}{3} \).