Chapter 3: Problem 6
The equation \(y=5 x^{2}-6 x+1\) is written in the form \(y=a x^{2}+b x+c .\) What are \(a, b,\) and \(c ?\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
The values are \(a = 5\), \(b = -6\), and \(c = 1\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Standard Form
The standard form of a quadratic equation is given by \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \). Our task is to compare this form with the given equation to identify the coefficients \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\).
02
Match the Coefficients
The given equation is \( y = 5x^2 - 6x + 1 \). By comparing it with the standard form \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \), we can directly read off the values: \( a = 5 \), \( b = -6 \), and \( c = 1 \).
03
Verify the Coefficients
To ensure accuracy, verify the identified values by checking if substituting them back into the standard form recovers the original equation. Substituting \( a = 5 \), \( b = -6 \), and \( c = 1 \) yields \( y = 5x^2 - 6x + 1 \), which matches the given equation.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Coefficients Identification
In a quadratic equation of the form \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \), the letters \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are known as coefficients. Understanding these coefficients is crucial because they determine the shape and position of the parabola represented by the equation.
- The coefficient \(a\) is tied directly to the \(x^2\) term and it influences the direction the parabola opens. If \(a\) is positive, the parabola opens upwards. Conversely, if \(a\) is negative, it opens downwards.
- Coefficient \(b\), associated with the \(x\) term, affects the line of symmetry and position of the vertex horizontally along the x-axis.
- The constant term \(c\) identifies the y-intercept, the point where the parabola crosses the y-axis.
Standard Form
The standard form of a quadratic equation is a crucial representation and follows the structure \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \). It's essential to comprehend this form because it provides a straightforward method to identify and work with quadratic equations.
- The \(x^2\) term is always accompanied by its coefficient \(a\). Regardless of its value, \(a\) should not be zero, or else the equation will not remain quadratic.
- The \(x\) term is followed by its coefficient \(b\), which is essential for understanding how the quadratic function shifts horizontally.
- Finally, \(c\) is a constant that provides a vertical translation of the graph along the y-axis.
Comparing Equations
When solving quadratic equations, comparing them to the standard form \( y = ax^2 + bx + c \) can simplify the complex process of identifying key components. This approach involves aligning each term from your equation to the respective term in the standard form.
- Start by writing both equations in a similar format. For the problem at hand, both are written as \(y = 5x^2 - 6x + 1\) and \(y = ax^2 + bx + c\) respectively.
- Compare each position in both equations specifically: the \(x^2\) terms, the \(x\) terms, and the constant terms. This comparison directly tells you what \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are equivalent to.
- Ensuring proper alignment allows you to see at a glance, like in our exercise, that \(a = 5\), \(b = -6\), and \(c = 1\). Using this method aids in quick identification and verification of the coefficients.