Chapter 11: Problem 37
Find the vertex of the graph of each quadratic function. Determine whether the graph opens upward or downward, find any intercepts, and sketch the graph. See Examples I through \(4 .\) (IMAGE CANNOT COPY) \(f(x)=-x^{2}+2 x-12\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vertex is \( (1, -11) \); the parabola opens downward with the y-intercept at \( (0, -12) \) and no x-intercepts.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Form of the Quadratic Equation
The quadratic function given is in the form \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \). Here, \( f(x) = -x^2 + 2x - 12 \), where \( a = -1 \), \( b = 2 \), and \( c = -12 \).
02
Determine the Direction of the Parabola
Since the coefficient \( a = -1 \) is negative, the graph of the quadratic function opens downwards.
03
Find the Vertex of the Quadratic Function
The vertex of a quadratic function \( ax^2 + bx + c \) can be found using the formula \( x = \frac{-b}{2a} \). Substituting \( b = 2 \) and \( a = -1 \): \( x = \frac{-2}{2 \times -1} = 1 \). To find the \( y \)-coordinate of the vertex, substitute \( x = 1 \) back into the function: \( f(1) = -(1)^2 + 2 \times 1 - 12 = -1 + 2 - 12 = -11 \). Thus, the vertex is \( (1, -11) \).
04
Find the Intercepts
To find the \( y \)-intercept, substitute \( x = 0 \) into the function: \( f(0) = -0^2 + 2\times0 - 12 = -12 \). The \( y \)-intercept is at \( (0, -12) \).To find the \( x \)-intercepts, solve \( -x^2 + 2x - 12 = 0 \). This can be done by using the quadratic formula: \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \). Here: \( x = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{2^2 - 4\times(-1)\times(-12)}}{2\times(-1)} = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{4 - 48}}{-2} \) which simplifies to \( x = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{-44}}{-2} \). Since there is no real solution, as the discriminant is negative, there are no real \( x \)-intercepts.
05
Sketch the Graph
Begin by plotting the vertex \( (1, -11) \). Since the graph opens downward, draw a parabola that curves downwards from the vertex. Mark the y-intercept at \( (0, -12) \). Note that there are no x-intercepts as the parabola does not cross the x-axis.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabola
A quadratic function like \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \) results in a special U-shaped graph known as a parabola. The parabola can open either upward or downward depending on the sign of the leading coefficient, \( a \).
- If \( a > 0 \), the parabola opens upward.
- If \( a < 0 \), it opens downward.
Vertex
The vertex of a parabola is a crucial point that represents its peak or trough, depending on its direction. For a downward-opening parabola like \( -x^2 + 2x - 12 \), the vertex is the highest point.To find the vertex, we use the vertex formula:\[x = \frac{-b}{2a}\]In our example, \( a = -1 \) and \( b = 2 \). Substitute these values into the formula to find:\[x = \frac{-2}{2(-1)} = 1\]With the \( x \)-coordinate known, find the \( y \)-coordinate by substituting back into the function:\[f(1) = (-(1)^2 + 2 \times 1 - 12) = -11\]Thus, the vertex of the parabola is at \( (1, -11) \), making it the highest point on this downward-facing curve.
Intercepts
In graph analysis, intercepts are the points where the graph intersects the axes. They provide key locations that help define the shape and position of the parabola.
- Y-intercept: This is where the parabola crosses the y-axis. To find it, set \( x = 0 \). For our function, \( f(0) = -0^2 + 2 \times 0 - 12 = -12 \), so the y-intercept is \( (0, -12) \).
- X-intercepts: These occur where the parabola crosses the x-axis. Solve \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \) for \( x \). Using the quadratic formula here:\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]Substitute \( a = -1 \), \( b = 2 \), and \( c = -12 \):\[x = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{4 - 48}}{-2}\]Since the expression under the square root (the discriminant) is negative, there are no real x-intercepts for this parabola.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a powerful tool for finding solutions to quadratic equations. It comes in handy when you want to determine the points where the parabola touches or intersects the x-axis (the x-intercepts).This formula is expressed as:\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]Here's what each part means:
- \( a, b, \) and \( c \) are constants from the quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \).
- The \( \pm \) symbol means we need to calculate twice, once with a plus and once with a minus, potentially giving two solutions.
- The term \( b^2 - 4ac \) is called the discriminant, which indicates the nature of the roots:
- If it’s positive, you have two distinct real roots.
- If zero, there’s exactly one real root.
- If negative, the roots are complex and not real.