Chapter 8: Problem 35
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 1 through 4 . $$ f(x)=x^{2}-4 x+5 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Vertex is (2, 1). The parabola opens upward. Y-intercept is (0, 5); no real x-intercepts.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Coefficients
For the quadratic function \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), identify the coefficients: \( a = 1 \), \( b = -4 \), and \( c = 5 \).
02
Find the Vertex
To find the vertex, use the formula \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \). Substitute the values: \( x = -\frac{-4}{2(1)} = 2 \). Now calculate \( f(2) = (2)^2 - 4(2) + 5 = 1 \). Therefore, the vertex is at the point \((2, 1)\).
03
Determine the Direction of the Parabola
The parabola opens upward if \( a > 0 \) and downward if \( a < 0 \). Here, \( a = 1 \), which is positive, so the parabola opens upward.
04
Find the Y-intercept
The y-intercept occurs when \( x = 0 \). Substitute \( x = 0 \) into the function: \( f(0) = 0^2 - 4(0) + 5 = 5 \). Thus, the y-intercept is \( (0, 5) \).
05
Determine the X-intercepts
Find the x-intercepts by solving \( x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \). Calculate the discriminant: \( b^2 - 4ac = (-4)^2 - 4(1)(5) = 16 - 20 = -4 \), which is negative. Thus, there are no real x-intercepts.
06
Sketch the Graph
Plot the vertex \((2, 1)\) and the y-intercept \((0, 5)\) on the graph. Since the parabola opens upward and has no x-intercepts, sketch the parabola opening up with its vertex as the lowest point.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vertex of a Parabola
A quadratic function is expressed in the form \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \). The vertex of a parabola, a key feature in its graph, is essentially its tip. This can be either the highest or lowest point depending on the orientation of the parabola. In our function \( f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 5 \), we identify the vertex using the formula for the x-coordinate: \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \), where \( a = 1 \), \( b = -4 \). This gives us \( x = -\frac{-4}{2 \times 1} = 2 \). With the x-coordinate in hand, we can substitute it back into the original equation to find the y-coordinate: \( f(2) = 2^2 - 4 \times 2 + 5 = 1 \). Hence, the vertex is \((2, 1)\). Always remember:
- The vertex represents a critical turning point on the graph.
- For upward-opening parabolas, it is the lowest point.
- For downward-opening ones, it is the highest point.
Discriminant
The discriminant is a special magic number that tells us about the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation. It is found using the formula \( b^2 - 4ac \). This handy little tool determines how many and what type of solutions you'll find from your quadratic equation. In our example with \( f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 5 \), we calculate the discriminant as follows:
- \( b = -4 \)
- \( a = 1 \)
- \( c = 5 \)
- The quadratic equation has no real roots.
- There are no x-intercepts on the graph.
X-intercepts
The x-intercepts (also known as the roots or zeros of the function) are the points where the graph of the function crosses the x-axis. This happens when \( f(x) = 0 \). In our case, solving \( x^2 - 4x + 5 = 0 \) reveals whether or not x-intercepts exist.
- The discriminant, \( b^2 - 4ac \), is negative (-4).
- When the discriminant is negative, it means the quadratic equation has no real solutions.
Y-intercept
The y-intercept is the point where the graph of the quadratic function intersects the y-axis. This occurs when \( x = 0 \). To find the y-intercept for our function \( f(x) = x^2 - 4x + 5 \), we simply substitute zero into the function for \( x \):
- \( f(0) = 0^2 - 4 \times 0 + 5 = 5 \)