Chapter 8: Problem 36
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 . $$ f(x)=x^{2}-6 x+11 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vertex is \((3, 2)\), the graph opens upward, the y-intercept is \((0, 11)\), and there are no real x-intercepts.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the quadratic function form
The given function is \( f(x) = x^2 - 6x + 11 \), which is in the standard form \( ax^2 + bx + c \) where \( a = 1 \), \( b = -6 \), and \( c = 11 \).
02
Determine whether the parabola opens up or down
The parabola opens upwards because the coefficient \( a = 1 \) is positive.
03
Find the vertex using vertex formula
The vertex formula for a quadratic function in standard form is \( x = \frac{-b}{2a} \). Substitute \( a = 1 \) and \( b = -6 \) into the formula: \[ x = \frac{-(-6)}{2 \times 1} = \frac{6}{2} = 3 \]To find the \( y \)-coordinate of the vertex, substitute \( x = 3 \) back into the original function: \[ f(3) = 3^2 - 6 \times 3 + 11 = 9 - 18 + 11 = 2 \]Thus, the vertex is \( (3, 2) \).
04
Find the y-intercept
The y-intercept occurs when \( x = 0 \). Substitute \( x = 0 \) into the function: \[ f(0) = 0^2 - 6 \times 0 + 11 = 11 \]Thus, the y-intercept is \( (0, 11) \).
05
Check for x-intercepts
The x-intercepts occur where \( f(x) = 0 \). This requires solving the equation \[ x^2 - 6x + 11 = 0 \]Calculate the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac = (-6)^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 11 = 36 - 44 = -8 \).Since the discriminant is negative, there are no real x-intercepts.
06
Sketch the graph
The graph is a parabola that opens upwards with vertex at \((3, 2)\) and a y-intercept at \((0, 11)\). Since it has no real x-intercepts, it does not cross the x-axis. Sketch accordingly.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabola Opens Upwards
When you're faced with a quadratic function in the form of \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), the coefficient \( a \) plays a crucial role in determining the direction of the parabola. If \( a \) is positive, you can be assured the parabola opens upwards, resembling a U shape. For instance, in the function \( f(x) = x^2 - 6x + 11 \), the coefficient \( a = 1 \) is greater than zero.
- This tells us the parabola goes upwards, which means the vertex will be at the lowest point on the graph.
- Understanding which way the parabola opens helps in understanding the basic behavior of the function.
Quadratic Function Form
The given quadratic function \( f(x) = x^2 - 6x + 11 \) is in the standard form \( ax^2 + bx + c \) where \( a = 1 \), \( b = -6 \), and \( c = 11 \). This standard form is often the starting point in figuring out key features of the graph.
- The values of \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are really important in understanding the function's behavior.
- They help determine not only the direction of the opening but also the position of the vertex, intercepts, and more.
Vertex Formula
Finding the vertex of a quadratic function can be easily done using the vertex formula for standard form \( ax^2 + bx + c \). This formula is \( x = \frac{-b}{2a} \). Simply substitute the values of \( a \) and \( b \) from the quadratic function into it.
- For \( f(x) = x^2 - 6x + 11 \), \( a = 1 \) and \( b = -6 \); so, \( x = \frac{-(-6)}{2 \times 1} = \frac{6}{2} = 3 \).
- To find the y-coordinate, plug \( x = 3 \) back into the original equation to get \( f(3) = 2 \).
- This calculation shows the vertex is \((3, 2)\).
Discriminant Calculation
The discriminant is a key part of quadratic functions for finding the number and type of roots. For a quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), the discriminant is given by \( b^2 - 4ac \). Calculating the discriminant will reveal whether the equation has real or complex roots.
- In the function \( x^2 - 6x + 11 \), the discriminant is \((-6)^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 11 = 36 - 44 = -8\).
- Since the discriminant is negative, there are no real roots, indicating the parabola doesn't cross the x-axis.
- This information is crucial in confirming there are no x-intercepts for this graph.