Chapter 2: Problem 4
Find the vertex, the \(x\) -intercepts (if any), and sketch the parabola. \(f(x)=x^{2}+6 x+9\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vertex of the parabola is \((-3, 0)\), there is a single x-intercept at \((-3, 0)\), and the parabola opens upwards, symmetric around the line x = -3.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the form of the quadratic function
The given quadratic function is:
\(f(x) = x^2 + 6x + 9\)
This is in the standard form of a quadratic function, which is:
\(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\)
In our case, \(a = 1\), \(b = 6\), and \(c = 9\).
02
Find the vertex of the parabola
The vertex of a parabola in standard form is given by the formula:
\((h, k) = \left(-\frac{b}{2a}, f\left(-\frac{b}{2a}\right)\right)\)
We already know the values for a and b, so we can plug in to find the x-coordinate (h) of the vertex:
\(h = -\frac{6}{2(1)} = -\frac{6}{2} = -3\)
Now, we'll find the y-coordinate (k) of the vertex by plugging h into the function:
\(k = f(-3) = (-3)^{2} + 6(-3) + 9 = 9 - 18 + 9 = 0\)
So, the vertex of the parabola is \((-3, 0)\).
03
Find the x-intercepts (if any)
The x-intercepts are the points where the parabola touches the x-axis, which means the y-coordinate (f(x)) will be 0. We can set up the equation:
\(0 = x^{2} + 6x + 9\)
We can try factoring this equation or using the quadratic formula to find the x-intercepts. In this case, factoring is more straightforward:
\(0 = (x + 3)^{2}\)
As we have a perfect square, there is only one x-intercept, which is the double root:
\(x = -3\)
So, the x-intercept is \((-3, 0)\).
04
Sketch the parabola
To sketch the parabola, we'll start by marking the vertex and the x-intercepts. We know the vertex is (-3, 0) and the x-intercept is (-3, 0), which is the same point. Since the leading coefficient 'a' is positive, the parabola will open upwards.
Now, we can sketch the parabola with the vertex at \((-3, 0)\), opening upwards, and passing through the x-intercept at \((-3, 0)\). The resulting parabola is symmetric around the vertical line x = -3.
So, the vertex is \((-3, 0)\), there is a single x-intercept at \((-3, 0)\), and the parabola opens upwards, symmetric around the line x = -3.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vertex of a Parabola
The vertex of a parabola is a crucial point, often denoted by \((h, k)\), which represents the highest or lowest point on the graph, depending on the parabola's orientation. This point provides a key insight into the parabola's axis of symmetry and general shape.
You can find the vertex of a parabola in standard form \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\) using the formula:
You can find the vertex of a parabola in standard form \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\) using the formula:
- For the x-coordinate (\(h\)): \(h = -\frac{b}{2a}\).
- Substitute this value back into the function to find the y-coordinate (\(k\)): \(k = f(h)\).
X-Intercepts
X-intercepts are where the graph of the parabola intersects the x-axis, which means the output, or \(f(x)\), equals zero at these points. Solving for x-intercepts gives insight into the roots of the quadratic equation.
To find them, set the quadratic equation \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\) to zero and solve for \(x\):
To find them, set the quadratic equation \(f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c\) to zero and solve for \(x\):
- If factorizable, rewrite the equation as products and solve each factor for zero.
- Alternatively, use the quadratic formula: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
Sketching Parabolas
Sketching a parabola is a simple yet powerful visualization technique that brings the algebraic function to life on a graph. Here’s how you can sketch the parabola using its vertex and intercepts.
Start by marking essential points:
Start by marking essential points:
- Draw the vertex, in this case, \((-3, 0)\), onto your coordinate plane.
- Identify and plot x-intercepts; here, it overlaps with the vertex at \((-3, 0)\).
- If the leading coefficient \(a > 0\), the parabola opens upwards. Here \(a = 1\), so the parabola opens upwards.
- A parabola opens downward if \(a < 0\).
- Note that the parabola is symmetrical about the line \(x = -3\), which runs vertically through the vertex.