Chapter 8: Problem 39
For each quadratic function, (a) find the vertex, the axis of symmetry, and the maximum or minimum function value and (b) graph the function. $$f(x)=-3 x^{2}+5 x-2$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Vertex: \(\left(\frac{5}{6}, \frac{1}{12}\right)\). Axis of symmetry: \(x=\frac{5}{6}\). Maximum value: \(\frac{1}{12}.\)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the coefficients
Given the quadratic function \(f(x)=-3x^2+5x-2\), identify the coefficients: \(a=-3\), \(b=5\), and \(c=-2\).
02
Calculate the vertex
The vertex of a quadratic function in the form of \(ax^2+bx+c\) can be found using the formula \(x=-\frac{b}{2a}\). Substitute \(b=5\) and \(a=-3\): \(x=-\frac{5}{2(-3)}=-\frac{5}{-6}=\frac{5}{6}\). To find the y-coordinate of the vertex, substitute \(x=\frac{5}{6}\) into \(f(x)\): \(f\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)=-3\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)^2+5\left(\frac{5}{6}\right)-2 = -3\cdot\frac{25}{36}+\frac{25}{6}-2=\frac{-75}{36}+\frac{150}{36}-\frac{72}{36}=\frac{3}{36}=\frac{1}{12}.\) So, the vertex is \(\left(\frac{5}{6}, \frac{1}{12}\right).\)
03
Determine the axis of symmetry
The axis of symmetry of a parabola is the vertical line that passes through the vertex. It has the equation \(x=\frac{5}{6}\).
04
Find the maximum or minimum function value
Since \(a=-3<0\), the parabola opens downwards, and the vertex represents the maximum point. Thus, the maximum function value is the y-coordinate of the vertex, which is \(\frac{1}{12}.\)
05
Graph the function
To graph \(f(x)=-3x^2+5x-2\), plot the vertex \(\left(\frac{5}{6}, \frac{1}{12}\right)\) and draw the axis of symmetry \(x=\frac{5}{6}\). Then, plot additional points on either side of the vertex and sketch the parabola opening downwards.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
quadratic function
A quadratic function is a type of polynomial function with a degree of 2. Its general form is given by \( f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c \), where:
In this exercise, the quadratic function is \( f(x) = -3x^2 + 5x - 2 \), where \( a = -3 \), \( b = 5 \), and \( c = -2 \).
Quadratic functions typically graph to a U-shaped curve known as a parabola.
The direction of the parabola depends on the coefficient \( a \). If \( a \gt 0 \), the parabola opens upwards. If \( a \lt 0 \), it opens downwards.
For our function, since \( a = -3 \lt 0 \), the parabola opens downwards.
- \( a \) is the coefficient of \( x^2 \),
- \( b \) is the coefficient of \( x \), and
- \( c \) is the constant term.
In this exercise, the quadratic function is \( f(x) = -3x^2 + 5x - 2 \), where \( a = -3 \), \( b = 5 \), and \( c = -2 \).
Quadratic functions typically graph to a U-shaped curve known as a parabola.
The direction of the parabola depends on the coefficient \( a \). If \( a \gt 0 \), the parabola opens upwards. If \( a \lt 0 \), it opens downwards.
For our function, since \( a = -3 \lt 0 \), the parabola opens downwards.
vertex formula
The vertex of a parabola is a crucial point that gives us the maximum or minimum value of the quadratic function.
It can be found using the vertex formula: \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \).
This formula derives the x-coordinate of the vertex. To find the y-coordinate, substitute \( x \) into \( f(x) \).
In this exercise, we have: \( a = -3 \) and \( b = 5 \).
Using the vertex formula: \( x = -\frac{5}{2(-3)} = \frac{5}{6} \).
Substitute \( x = \frac{5}{6} \) into \( f(x) \):\[ f\left( \frac{5}{6} \right) = -3\left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^2 + 5\left( \frac{5}{6} \right) - 2 = \frac{1}{12} \]
Therefore, the vertex is \( \left( \frac{5}{6}, \frac{1}{12} \right) \).
It can be found using the vertex formula: \( x = -\frac{b}{2a} \).
This formula derives the x-coordinate of the vertex. To find the y-coordinate, substitute \( x \) into \( f(x) \).
In this exercise, we have: \( a = -3 \) and \( b = 5 \).
Using the vertex formula: \( x = -\frac{5}{2(-3)} = \frac{5}{6} \).
Substitute \( x = \frac{5}{6} \) into \( f(x) \):\[ f\left( \frac{5}{6} \right) = -3\left( \frac{5}{6} \right)^2 + 5\left( \frac{5}{6} \right) - 2 = \frac{1}{12} \]
Therefore, the vertex is \( \left( \frac{5}{6}, \frac{1}{12} \right) \).
parabola symmetry
A parabola exhibits symmetry around its axis of symmetry.
This axis is a vertical line that passes through the vertex.
The equation for the axis of symmetry comes from the x-coordinate of the vertex.
In this exercise, that is \( x = \frac{5}{6} \).
This line divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves.
Understanding the axis of symmetry helps us graph the parabola more accurately.
Any point on one side of the axis has a corresponding point equidistant on the other side.
This axis is a vertical line that passes through the vertex.
The equation for the axis of symmetry comes from the x-coordinate of the vertex.
In this exercise, that is \( x = \frac{5}{6} \).
This line divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves.
Understanding the axis of symmetry helps us graph the parabola more accurately.
Any point on one side of the axis has a corresponding point equidistant on the other side.
maximum and minimum values
The vertex of a quadratic function provides the maximum or minimum value of the function, known as the vertex value.
If the parabola opens upward (\( a \gt 0 \)), the vertex represents the minimum value.
If the parabola opens downward (\( a \lt 0 \)), the vertex is the maximum value.
In this exercise, since \( a = -3 \lt 0 \), the parabola opens downward, indicating a maximum value.
The maximum value is given by the y-coordinate of the vertex, which is \( \frac{1}{12} \).
Therefore, the maximum function value is \( \frac{1}{12} \).
If the parabola opens upward (\( a \gt 0 \)), the vertex represents the minimum value.
If the parabola opens downward (\( a \lt 0 \)), the vertex is the maximum value.
In this exercise, since \( a = -3 \lt 0 \), the parabola opens downward, indicating a maximum value.
The maximum value is given by the y-coordinate of the vertex, which is \( \frac{1}{12} \).
Therefore, the maximum function value is \( \frac{1}{12} \).