Chapter 3: Problem 9
a) Find the vertex. b) Find the axis of symmetry. c) Determine whether there is a maximum or a minimum value and find that value. d) Graph the function. $$g(x)=\frac{x^{2}}{2}+4 x+6$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Vertex: (-4, -2). Axis of symmetry: x = -4. Minimum value: -2.
Step by step solution
01
- Find the Vertex (h, k)
To find the vertex of the parabola represented by the function \( g(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + 4x + 6 \), use the vertex formula \( h = -\frac{b}{2a} \). For this function, \( a = \frac{1}{2} \) and \( b = 4 \). Substitute these values into the formula: \[ h = -\frac{4}{2 \times \frac{1}{2}} = -\frac{4}{1} = -4 \] Next, find \( k \) by substituting \( h \) back into the function: \[ k = g(-4) = \frac{(-4)^2}{2} + 4(-4) + 6 = \frac{16}{2} - 16 + 6 = 8 - 16 + 6 = -2 \] So, the vertex is \( (-4, -2) \).
02
- Find the Axis of Symmetry
The axis of symmetry of a parabola given by \( g(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + 4x + 6 \) has the equation \( x = h \). From the previous step, we know \( h = -4 \). Therefore, the axis of symmetry is \( x = -4 \).
03
- Determine Maximum or Minimum Value
The coefficient of the \( x^2 \) term (\( a = \frac{1}{2} \)) is positive, indicating that the parabola opens upwards and thus has a minimum value. From Step 1, the minimum value is the \( k \) coordinate of the vertex, which is \( k = -2 \).
04
- Graph the Function
To graph the function \( g(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + 4x + 6 \): 1. Plot the vertex \( (-4, -2) \). 2. Draw the axis of symmetry, which is the vertical line \( x = -4 \). 3. Choose a few additional points on either side of the vertex and substitute their \( x \) values into the function to find corresponding \( y \) values. Plot these points. 4. Draw a smooth curve through all the points to complete the graph.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vertex
The vertex is a key point in a quadratic function, represented as \( (h, k) \). For the given function \( g(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + 4x + 6 \), the vertex formula \( h = -\frac{b}{2a} \) helps in finding the x-coordinate. Here, with \( a = \frac{1}{2} \) and \( b = 4 \), we calculate it as follows:
This point is the highest or lowest point on the graph depending on the parabola's direction. Instructionally, if \( a \) is positive, the vertex is a minimum point; if negative, a maximum point.
- Substitute the values: \( h = -\frac{4}{2 \times \frac{1}{2}} = -\frac{4}{1} = -4 \)
- Calculate: \( k = g(-4) = \frac{(-4)^2}{2} + 4(-4) + 6 = \frac{16}{2} - 16 + 6 = 8 - 16 + 6 = -2 \)
This point is the highest or lowest point on the graph depending on the parabola's direction. Instructionally, if \( a \) is positive, the vertex is a minimum point; if negative, a maximum point.
Axis of Symmetry
The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that passes through the vertex of the parabola. This line divides the parabola into two symmetrical halves. For the function \( g(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + 4x + 6 \), we previously found the vertex to be at \( x = -4 \). Thus, the equation for the axis of symmetry is:
- \( x = -4 \)
Minimum Value
In a quadratic function \( ax^2 + bx + c \), if the coefficient \( a \) is positive, the parabola opens upwards, indicating that the function has a minimum value. For \( g(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + 4x + 6 \), since \( a = \frac{1}{2} \), it is positive. Therefore, the parabola opens upwards and has a minimum value.
The minimum value occurs at the vertex, which we calculated to be at \( (-4, -2) \). This means the minimum value of the function is:
The minimum value occurs at the vertex, which we calculated to be at \( (-4, -2) \). This means the minimum value of the function is:
- \( k = -2 \)
Graphing Parabolas
To graph a parabola, start with the quadratic function \( g(x) = \frac{x^2}{2} + 4x + 6 \). Here's a step-by-step approach:
- First, plot the vertex at \( (-4, -2) \).
- Draw the axis of symmetry, the vertical line \( x = -4 \).
- Select additional points on either side of the vertex. For instance, \( x = -3 \) and \( x = -5 \).
- Substitute these x-values into the function to find corresponding y-values and plot these points. E.g., \( g(-3) = \frac{(-3)^2}{2} + 4(-3) + 6 = 1.5 - 12 + 6 = -4.5 \).
- Plot more points if necessary for clarity.