Chapter 1: Problem 56
Make a table of values and sketch the graph of the equation. Find the \(x\) - and \(y\) -intercepts and test for symmetry. $$y=x^{2}+2$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The graph is a parabola opening upwards with a y-intercept at (0, 2) and no x-intercepts; it is symmetric about the y-axis.
Step by step solution
01
Create a Table of Values
To create a table of values, choose several values for \( x \), substitute them into the equation \( y = x^2 + 2 \), and solve for \( y \). For example, you might choose \( x = -2, -1, 0, 1, 2 \). Calculate \( y \) for each of these values. The table looks like this: \(\begin{array}{c|c} x & y \\hline -2 & 6 \ -1 & 3 \ 0 & 2 \ 1 & 3 \ 2 & 6 \\end{array}\)
02
Sketch the Graph
Using the table of values from Step 1, plot the points on a graph. For instance, for \( x = -2 \), plot the point \(( -2, 6 )\). Continue this for each \( x \) value from the table. Connect the points with a smooth curve to show the parabolic shape of the equation \( y = x^2 + 2 \).
03
Find the x-intercepts
To find the \( x \)-intercepts, set \( y = 0 \) in the equation and solve for \( x \). Set \( 0 = x^2 + 2 \), which simplifies to \( x^2 = -2 \). As there are no real solutions to this equation (since \( x^2 \) cannot be negative in real numbers), there are no \( x \)-intercepts.
04
Find the y-intercept
To find the \( y \)-intercept, set \( x = 0 \) in the equation \( y = x^2 + 2 \). This yields \( y = 0^2 + 2 = 2 \). Therefore, the \( y \)-intercept is \( (0, 2) \).
05
Test for Symmetry
Test for symmetry with respect to the \( y \)-axis by substituting \( -x \) in place of \( x \) in the equation and seeing if you obtain an equivalent expression. Substitute into \( y = (-x)^2 + 2 \), which simplifies back to \( y = x^2 + 2 \). Since the equation is equivalent, it is symmetric with respect to the \( y \)-axis. The graph is not symmetric with respect to the \( x \)-axis or the origin, as substituting \( -y \) or \( (-x, -y) \) does not satisfy the original equation.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Parabola
A parabola is a U-shaped curve that represents the graph of a quadratic function. In the equation \( y = x^2 + 2 \), the term \( x^2 \) signifies that it is indeed a quadratic function.
- Parabolas can open upwards or downwards based on the degree and sign of the quadratic term. Here, the coefficient of \( x^2 \) is positive, so it opens upwards.
- The vertex of a parabola is the highest or lowest point on the graph, depending on whether it opens upward or downward.
x-intercepts
The \( x \)-intercepts are the points where the graph crosses or touches the \( x \)-axis. To find these intercepts, you need to set\( y = 0 \) in the equation and solve for \( x \). For the equation \( y = x^2 + 2 \), substituting \( 0 \) for \( y \), gives you \( x^2 + 2 = 0 \). Simplifying this equation results in \( x^2 = -2 \), which has no real solutions since the square of a real number cannot be negative.
- This absence of \( x \)-intercepts means that the parabola does not cross the \( x \)-axis.
- It stays entirely above the axis because of its vertex being 2 units above the origin and opening upwards.
y-intercept
The \( y \)-intercept is the point where the graph intersects the \( y \)-axis. To find this, set \( x = 0 \) in the equation \( y = x^2 + 2 \). Doing this calculation, you get \( y = 0^2 + 2 \), which simplifies to \( y = 2 \). Thus, the \( y \)-intercept is the point \( (0, 2) \).
- This is a critical point for sketching the graph, as it shows where the parabola begins its journey upwards from the \( y \)-axis.
- Combined with the directional sense of the curve (upwards), this aids in accurately plotting and understanding the function's graph.
Symmetry in Graphs
A graph can display various types of symmetry, but for parabolas, we often look for symmetry around the axes. For the equation \( y = x^2 + 2 \), symmetry with respect to the \( y \)-axis is indicated by re-evaluating the function with \( -x \): Substitute \( -x \) into the equation, as in \( y = (-x)^2 + 2 \). This simplifies back to \( y = x^2 + 2 \), showing that the graph is indeed symmetric with respect to the \( y \)-axis.
- This symmetry implies that the left and right sides of the graph are mirror images of each other.
- It helps predict function values without recalculating when moving equidistantly from the center to either direction on the \( x \)-axis.
Table of Values
Constructing a table of values is essential for graphing and understanding quadratic functions. The table lets us observe the output \( y \) values for chosen inputs \( x \). For the function \( y = x^2 + 2 \):
- Select several \( x \)-values. Common choices are integers around zero, such as -2, -1, 0, 1, and 2, to view the function's behavior on both sides of the \( y \)-axis.
- Substitute each \( x \)-value into the equation to find the corresponding \( y \)-value, forming pairs of points \((x, y)\).