Chapter 2: Problem 21
(a) Use the quadratic formula to find the zeros of \(f .\) (b) Find the maximum or minimum value of \(f(x)\) (c) Sketch the graph of \(f\) $$f(x)=-2 x^{2}+16 x-26$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The zeros are \(2 - \sqrt{3}\) and \(2 + \sqrt{3}\). The maximum value is 6 at \(x = 4\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify coefficients for the quadratic formula
The quadratic function is given by \( f(x) = -2x^2 + 16x - 26 \). To apply the quadratic formula, identify the coefficients: \( a = -2 \), \( b = 16 \), and \( c = -26 \).
02
Apply the quadratic formula
The quadratic formula is \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \). Substitute the coefficients: \( x = \frac{-16 \pm \sqrt{16^2 - 4(-2)(-26)}}{2(-2)} \).
03
Calculate the discriminant
Calculate the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac \): \( 16^2 - 4(-2)(-26) = 256 - 208 = 48 \). The positive discriminant means there are two real roots.
04
Solve for the roots
Substituting the discriminant back into the quadratic formula gives: \( x = \frac{-16 \pm \sqrt{48}}{-4} \). Simplifying further, \( x = \frac{-16 \pm 4\sqrt{3}}{-4} \), yielding the roots \( x = 2 - \sqrt{3} \) and \( x = 2 + \sqrt{3} \).
05
Find the vertex
Since the quadratic function opens downward (\( a = -2 < 0 \)), it has a maximum point. The vertex \( x \)-coordinate is \( x = \frac{-b}{2a} = \frac{-16}{2(-2)} = 4 \).
06
Calculate the maximum value
Substitute \( x = 4 \) back into the function to find the maximum value: \( f(4) = -2(4)^2 + 16(4) - 26 = -32 + 64 - 26 = 6 \). The maximum value of the function is 6.
07
Sketch the graph
The graph is a downward-opening parabola with its vertex at (4, 6), crossing the x-axis at approximately \( x = 2 - \sqrt{3} \) and \( x = 2 + \sqrt{3} \). It is symmetric about \( x = 4 \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a powerful tool used to find the solutions or "roots" of a quadratic equation of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). These roots are the values of \( x \) for which the quadratic function equals zero. The formula is expressed as:\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]Here's how you can use it:
- Identify the coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) in the quadratic equation.
- Plug these values into the quadratic formula.
- Calculate the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac \) inside the square root.
- Use the plus-minus symbol (\( \pm \)) to find the two possible roots for \( x \).
Vertex of a Parabola
The vertex of a parabola is its highest or lowest point, depending on whether the parabola opens upwards or downwards. For a quadratic equation in the form \( ax^2 + bx + c \), the x-coordinate of the vertex can be found using the formula:\[x = \frac{-b}{2a}\]Substitute this value back into the equation to find the y-coordinate. The vertex provides crucial information:
- If \( a > 0 \), the parabola opens upwards, and the vertex is a minimum point.
- If \( a < 0 \), like in our example with \( a = -2 \), the parabola opens downwards, making the vertex a maximum point.
Discriminant
The discriminant is part of the quadratic formula and is found inside the square root: \( b^2 - 4ac \). It tells us about the nature and number of roots a quadratic equation has:
- If the discriminant is positive, there are two distinct real roots.
- If the discriminant is zero, there's exactly one real root, meaning the parabola touches the x-axis at one point.
- If the discriminant is negative, there are no real roots, and the parabola does not intersect the x-axis.
Graphing Quadratic Equations
To graph a quadratic equation, you need to find several key features of the function: roots, vertex, and the direction (upward or downward) in which the parabola opens.
- Begin by finding the roots using the quadratic formula. These will be your x-intercepts.
- Locate the vertex using the formula for the x-coordinate, and substitute to find the y-coordinate. This point is either the peak or the valley of the parabola.
- Determine the parabola's direction based on the sign of \( a \). If \( a > 0 \), the parabola opens upward. If \( a < 0 \), it opens downward.
- Plot these points on the coordinate graph and use symmetry about the vertex to draw the parabola.