Chapter 8: Problem 54
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 . $$ f(x)=3 x^{2}-13 x-10 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The vertex is \( \left( \frac{13}{6}, -\frac{149}{12} \right) \), the graph opens upward, y-intercept is \( (0, -10) \), x-intercepts are \( (5, 0) \) and \( \left( -\frac{2}{3}, 0 \right) \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the components of the quadratic function
The given quadratic function is \( f(x) = 3x^2 - 13x - 10 \). This is in the standard form \( ax^2 + bx + c \), where \( a = 3 \), \( b = -13 \), and \( c = -10 \).
02
Determine the direction of the parabola
Since the coefficient \( a = 3 \) is positive, the parabola opens upward.
03
Find the vertex of the parabola
The vertex \((h, k)\) of a parabola given by \( ax^2 + bx + c \) can be found using the formula \( h = -\frac{b}{2a} \). Substituting the values, we get \( h = -\frac{-13}{2 \times 3} = \frac{13}{6} \). Calculate \( k \) by finding \( f(\frac{13}{6}) \): \[f\left(\frac{13}{6}\right) = 3\left(\frac{13}{6}\right)^2 - 13\left(\frac{13}{6}\right) - 10 \]Computing this gives \( k = -\frac{149}{12} \). Therefore, the vertex is \( \left( \frac{13}{6}, -\frac{149}{12} \right) \).
04
Find the y-intercept
The y-intercept of the quadratic function is found by evaluating the function at \( x = 0 \). Substituting, we get:\[f(0) = 3(0)^2 - 13(0) - 10 = -10\]Therefore, the y-intercept is \( (0, -10) \).
05
Find the x-intercepts
To find the x-intercepts, set \( f(x) = 0 \) and solve the quadratic equation \( 3x^2 - 13x - 10 = 0 \) using the quadratic formula \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \). Substitute \( a = 3 \), \( b = -13 \), and \( c = -10 \) into the formula: \[x = \frac{-(-13) \pm \sqrt{(-13)^2 - 4 \cdot 3 \cdot (-10)}}{2 \cdot 3}\]Calculate the discriminant: \( (-13)^2 - 4 \cdot 3 \cdot (-10) = 169 + 120 = 289 \). Solve: \[x = \frac{13 \pm \sqrt{289}}{6} = \frac{13 \pm 17}{6}\]This gives the solutions \( x = 5 \) and \( x = -\frac{2}{3} \). Therefore, the x-intercepts are \( (5, 0) \) and \( \left(-\frac{2}{3}, 0\right) \).
06
Sketch the graph
Plot the vertex at \( \left( \frac{13}{6}, -\frac{149}{12} \right) \), the y-intercept at \( (0, -10) \), and the x-intercepts at \( (5, 0) \) and \( \left( -\frac{2}{3}, 0 \right) \). Draw a parabola that opens upward, passing through these points.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabola
Understanding a parabola is crucial when working with quadratic functions. A parabola is a U-shaped curve that can either open upwards or downwards, depending on the leading coefficient of the quadratic function. In the function \( f(x) = 3x^2 - 13x - 10 \), the coefficient \( a \) is positive, meaning the parabola opens upwards.
- The vertex is the point where the parabola changes direction.
- The vertex can be a peak (if it opens downward) or a bottom (if it opens upward).
- This graph is symmetric around its vertex.
Quadratic Function
At the heart of our discussion is the quadratic function, typically expressed in standard form as \( ax^2 + bx + c \). Each term— \( ax^2 \), \( bx \), and \( c \)—plays a distinct role.
- \( a \) determines if the parabola opens upwards or downwards.
- \( b \) and \( c \) determine the location of the vertex and intercepts.
x-intercepts
The x-intercepts of a quadratic function are points where the graph crosses the x-axis. At these points, the value of \( f(x) \) is zero, meaning they are solutions to \( 3x^2 - 13x - 10 = 0 \). We find them using the quadratic formula: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
Substituting \( a = 3 \), \( b = -13 \), and \( c = -10 \) into the formula gives us the x-intercepts \((5, 0)\) and \(\left(-\frac{2}{3}, 0\right)\).
Substituting \( a = 3 \), \( b = -13 \), and \( c = -10 \) into the formula gives us the x-intercepts \((5, 0)\) and \(\left(-\frac{2}{3}, 0\right)\).
- These points are where the function equals zero.
- They are crucial for graphing as they give you distinct and easily plotted points.
y-intercepts
The y-intercept is where the graph intersects the y-axis. This happens when \( x = 0 \) in a quadratic function, making calculation straightforward. For \( f(x) = 3x^2 - 13x - 10 \), substituting \( x = 0 \) yields \( f(0) = -10 \), therefore the y-intercept is \((0, -10)\).
- The y-intercept is particularly useful for sketching the graph, giving an initial point to start from.
- It simplifies understanding where the graph aligns vertically.