Chapter 10: Problem 10
Write an equation in general form for the parabola shown, with \(x\)-intercepts \(-1\) and \(2.5\) and \(y\)-intercept \(-5\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation of the parabola is \(y = 2x^2 - 3x - 5\).
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Parabola Form
The general form of a parabola is given by the equation \[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]We will convert the information of intercepts into this form.
02
Use the Intercept Form
Interceptions on the \(x\)-axis allow us to use the factored form of a parabola: \[ y = a(x - x_1)(x - x_2) \]where \(x_1 = -1\) and \(x_2 = 2.5\) are the \(x\)-intercepts. Therefore, the equation becomes:\[ y = a(x + 1)(x - 2.5) \]
03
Expand the Factored Form
Expand \((x + 1)(x - 2.5)\):\[ y = a(x^2 - 2.5x + x - 2.5) = a(x^2 - 1.5x - 2.5) \]
04
Use the Given \(y\)-intercept
Since the \(y\)-intercept is \(-5\), substitute \(x = 0\) and \(y = -5\):\[ -5 = a(0^2 - 1.5(0) - 2.5) \]This simplifies to:\[ -5 = a(-2.5) \]Solving for \(a\), we get:\[ a = \frac{-5}{-2.5} = 2 \]
05
Write the Final Equation
Using \(a = 2\) in the expanded equation:\[ y = 2(x^2 - 1.5x - 2.5) \]Distribute \(2\):\[ y = 2x^2 - 3x - 5 \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabolas
A parabola is a U-shaped curve on a graph. It is the graphical representation of a quadratic equation. Parabolas have several key properties that are useful to understand:
- They can open upwards or downwards.
- The vertex is the highest or lowest point on the parabola.
- The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that passes through the vertex and divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves.
- The direction the parabola opens is determined by the sign of the coefficient of the squared term; if positive, it opens upwards, if negative, downwards.
X-Intercepts
X-intercepts are the points where a parabola crosses the x-axis. They are crucial in forming quadratic equations in factored form. For a parabola described by \[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]the x-intercepts can be determined by setting \( y = 0 \) and solving for \( x \).
These intercepts help in rewriting the equation in factored form:
These intercepts help in rewriting the equation in factored form:
- If \( x_1 \) and \( x_2 \) are the x-intercepts, the equation in factored form is \( y = a(x - x_1)(x - x_2) \).
- In our exercise, the x-intercepts were -1 and 2.5, which gives us the factored form \( y = a(x + 1)(x - 2.5) \).
Y-Intercepts
The y-intercept of a parabola is the point where it crosses the y-axis. This information helps identify how the parabola behaves when \( x = 0 \).
The y-intercept is found by substituting \( x = 0 \) in the quadratic equation \[ ax^2 + bx + c \],and solving for \( y \).
In this problem, the y-intercept was given as -5. This value allows you to solve for any unknown coefficients in the factored form of a quadratic equation:
The y-intercept is found by substituting \( x = 0 \) in the quadratic equation \[ ax^2 + bx + c \],and solving for \( y \).
In this problem, the y-intercept was given as -5. This value allows you to solve for any unknown coefficients in the factored form of a quadratic equation:
- Set the equation to \( y = a(x + 1)(x - 2.5) \).
- Substitute \( x = 0 \) and \( y = -5 \), then solve for \( a \).
- Apply that \( a \) value to find the full quadratic equation in standard form.
Factored Form
Factored form is a way of writing quadratic equations that highlight the x-intercepts straightaway. It is particularly useful for graphing, as it clearly shows where the curve will cross the x-axis.
The general expression for the factored form is given by\[ y = a(x - x_1)(x - x_2) \].
It breaks down the parabola into the easily identifiable intercept points:
The general expression for the factored form is given by\[ y = a(x - x_1)(x - x_2) \].
It breaks down the parabola into the easily identifiable intercept points:
- The variables \( x_1 \) and \( x_2 \) directly represent the x-intercepts.
- Working off these intercept points allows the equation to be expanded to the standard quadratic form \( ax^2 + bx + c \) by foil expansion.