Chapter 13: Problem 40
Write each equation of a parabola in standard form and graph it. Give the coordinates of the vertex. $$ y=x^{2}+4 x+5 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vertex of the parabola is \((-2, 1)\). The equation in standard form is \(y = (x+2)^2 + 1\).
Step by step solution
01
Rewrite in Standard Form
The equation of a parabola is given as \( y = x^2 + 4x + 5 \). In order to rewrite it in the standard form \( y = a(x-h)^2 + k \), we will need to complete the square for the expression involving \( x \).
02
Complete the Square
To complete the square, we take the coefficient of \( x \), which is 4, divide it by 2, and then square it. This gives \( (\frac{4}{2})^2 = 4 \). Rewrite the equation by adding and subtracting 4 inside the equation: \( y = (x^2 + 4x + 4) + 5 - 4 \).
03
Factor Perfect Square
Notice that \( x^2 + 4x + 4 \) is a perfect square trinomial. It can be factored into \( (x+2)^2 \). Therefore, the equation becomes \( y = (x+2)^2 + 1 \).
04
Identify Vertex
Now that the equation is in the form \( y = (x-h)^2 + k \), we can identify the vertex \( (h,k) \). Here, \( h = -2 \) and \( k = 1 \), so the vertex of the parabola is \( (-2, 1) \).
05
Graph the Parabola
Plot the vertex \( (-2, 1) \) on the graph. The parabola opens upwards (since the coefficient of \( (x+2)^2 \) is positive). Use additional points obtained from the graph or calculation to complete the parabola's shape, such as points by substituting values around \( x = -2 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabola
A parabola is a U-shaped curve that you often encounter in mathematics, particularly when dealing with quadratic equations. It's a graph that represents a quadratic function, which is any function that can be written as: \[ y = ax^2 + bx + c \]In this form, the parabola can open upwards or downwards, dictated by the coefficient \(a\).
Key characteristics of a parabola:
Key characteristics of a parabola:
- The vertex can be either a maximum or a minimum point, depending on the direction the parabola opens.
- If \(a > 0\), the parabola opens upwards, and the vertex is the lowest point.
- If \(a < 0\), it opens downwards, and the vertex is the highest point.
- The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that passes through the vertex, dividing the parabola into two symmetrical halves.
Vertex
The vertex of a parabola is a significant point that represents its peak or trough, depending on the orientation. For the quadratic equation \(y = ax^2 + bx + c\), the vertex can be found using a specific transformation. The standard form of a quadratic equation – \(y = a(x-h)^2 + k\) – highlights this vertex readily.In this standard form:
The vertex is not just a point; it helps determine many properties of a parabola:
- \(h\) is the x-coordinate of the vertex.
- \(k\) is the y-coordinate of the vertex.
- Thus, the vertex is at \((h, k)\).
The vertex is not just a point; it helps determine many properties of a parabola:
- I establishes the line of symmetry.
- Assists in identifying the direction in which the parabola opens.
- It helps solve optimization problems in various fields, as it represents maximum or minimum values.
Standard Form
The standard form of a quadratic equation is quite useful in understanding the nature of parabolas. The standard form is expressed as: \[ y = a(x - h)^2 + k \]This format directly reveals the vertex and conveys the shape of the parabola.
Here's why the standard form is valuable:
Here's why the standard form is valuable:
- It directly gives the vertex \((h, k)\), simplifying the process of graphing.
- It makes it easier to determine how the parabola shifts and reflects.
- Using \(a\), we can immediately know if the parabola opens upwards or downwards and gauge its width.