Chapter 8: Problem 9
Calculate the coordinates of the \(x\) - and \(y\) -intercepts for the following quadratics. a. \(y=3 x^{2}+2 x-1\) c. \(y=(5-2 x)(3+5 x)\) b. \(y=3(x-2)^{2}-1\) d. \(f(x)=x^{2}-5\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
a. x-intercepts: \( \frac{2}{3} \) and -1, y-intercept: -1; b. x-intercepts: 2\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\) and 2 - \(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\), y-intercept: 11; c. x-intercepts: 2.5 and -0.6, y-intercept: 15; d. x-intercepts: \(\pm \sqrt{5}\), y-intercept: -5.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the formula for finding intercepts
The x-intercepts of a function are found by setting y (or f(x)) to 0 and solving for x. The y-intercept is found by substituting x = 0 into the equation and solving for y.
02
Calculate x-intercepts for part a
Set the equation to 0 and solve for x: Set 0 = 3x^2 + 2x - 1. Using the quadratic formula where a = 3, b = 2, and c = -1: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\] \[x = \frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{4 + 12}}{6} \] \[x = \frac{-2 \pm 4}{6}\] This gives two solutions: x = \(\frac{2}{3}\) and x = -1.
03
Calculate y-intercept for part a
Substitute x = 0 into the equation: y = 3(0)^2 + 2(0) - 1 y = -1 So, the y-intercept is (0, -1).
04
Calculate x-intercepts for part b
Set the equation to 0 and solve for x: 0 = 3(x-2)^2 - 1 1 = 3(x-2)^2 \(\frac{1}{3}\) = (x-2)^2 taking square roots: \(\pm \frac{1}{\sqrt{3}} = x - 2\) This gives two solutions: x = 2+\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\) or x = 2-\(\frac{1}{\sqrt{3}}\).
05
Calculate y-intercept for part b
Substitute x = 0 into the equation: y = 3(0-2)^2 - 1 y = 3(4) - 1 y = 11 So, the y-intercept is (0, 11).
06
Calculate x-intercepts for part c
Set the equation to 0 and solve for x: 0 = (5 - 2x)(3 + 5x) This gives two solutions: 5 - 2x = 0 or 3 + 5x = 0 Solving these: x = \(\frac{5}{2}\) or x = -\(\frac{3}{5}\).
07
Calculate y-intercept for part c
Substitute x = 0 into the equation: y = (5 - 2(0))(3 + 5(0)) y = 5*3 y = 15 So, the y-intercept is (0, 15).
08
Calculate x-intercepts for part d
Set the equation to 0 and solve for x: 0 = x^2 - 5 This gives two solutions: x^2 = 5 taking square roots: x = \(\pm \sqrt{5}\).
09
Calculate y-intercept for part d
Substitute x = 0 into the equation: y = 0^2 - 5 y = -5 So, the y-intercept is (0, -5).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Understanding Quadratic Equations
Quadratic equations are a type of polynomial equation where the highest exponent of the variable (usually denoted as x) is 2. These equations take the general form of \[ y = ax^2 + bx + c \] where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are constants. Quadratic equations graph as parabolas. The direction of the parabola (opening upwards or downwards) depends on the sign of \(a\). If \(a > 0\), the parabola opens upwards. If \(a < 0\), the parabola opens downwards. With quadratic equations, you are often interested in finding the intercepts, which are the points where the graph crosses the x-axis and y-axis. These intercepts are crucial for understanding the graph's behavior.
Exploring x-intercepts
The x-intercepts of a quadratic equation are the points where the graph crosses the x-axis. At these points, the value of y is zero. You can find x-intercepts by setting the quadratic equation to zero and solving for x. This involves solving the equation:\[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]
One common method to solve this is by using the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
This formula gives you two solutions, representing the points where the parabola crosses the x-axis. For example, for the equation \( y = 3x^2 + 2x - 1 \), substituting the values \(a = 3\), \(b = 2\), and \(c = -1\) into the formula gives you the x-intercepts \( x = \frac{2}{3} \) and \( x = -1 \). These solutions might sometimes be real numbers (the parabola crosses the x-axis) or complex numbers (the parabola does not cross the x-axis).
One common method to solve this is by using the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
This formula gives you two solutions, representing the points where the parabola crosses the x-axis. For example, for the equation \( y = 3x^2 + 2x - 1 \), substituting the values \(a = 3\), \(b = 2\), and \(c = -1\) into the formula gives you the x-intercepts \( x = \frac{2}{3} \) and \( x = -1 \). These solutions might sometimes be real numbers (the parabola crosses the x-axis) or complex numbers (the parabola does not cross the x-axis).
Discovering y-intercepts
The y-intercept of a quadratic equation is the point where the graph crosses the y-axis. At this point, the value of x is zero. To find the y-intercept, you simply substitute \(x = 0\) into the quadratic equation and solve for y.
For example, in the equation \( y = 3x^2 + 2x - 1 \), substituting \( x = 0 \) gives:
\[ y = 3(0)^2 + 2(0) - 1 \]
\[ y = -1 \] So the y-intercept is \((0, -1)\). The y-intercept is a single point since it is the only place where the graph crosses the y-axis.
For example, in the equation \( y = 3x^2 + 2x - 1 \), substituting \( x = 0 \) gives:
\[ y = 3(0)^2 + 2(0) - 1 \]
\[ y = -1 \] So the y-intercept is \((0, -1)\). The y-intercept is a single point since it is the only place where the graph crosses the y-axis.
Solving Quadratic Equations
Solving quadratic equations can be done in several ways depending on the form of the equation.
A thorough understanding of these methods not only helps in solving quadratic equations but also in grasping the graphical representation of solutions, intercepts, and the overall behavior of the parabolic graphs.
- The **Quadratic Formula**, as previously mentioned, is one of the most reliable methods, suitable for almost all types of quadratic equations.
- **Factoring** is another method, where you express the equation in a product of binomials. For example, \( y = (5 - 2x)(3 + 5x) \) already factored, gives x-intercepts directly by solving \( 5 - 2x = 0 \) and \( 3 + 5x = 0 \).
- **Completing the Square** involves rewriting the quadratic equation to make it easier to solve. For example, solving \( y = 3(x - 2)^2 - 1 \) involves isolating the squared term and solving for x.
A thorough understanding of these methods not only helps in solving quadratic equations but also in grasping the graphical representation of solutions, intercepts, and the overall behavior of the parabolic graphs.