How do you graph the parabola y=x^2 + 3x-10y=x2+3x10 using vertex, intercepts and additional points?

1 Answer
Dec 20, 2017

Graph the y-intercept (0,-10), the x-intercepts (-5,0) and (2,0) and the vertex (-3/2,-49/4)(32,494)

Explanation:

To find the y-intercept, let x = 0 in the original equation:
y=x^2+3x-10y=x2+3x10
y=(0)^2+3(0)-10y=(0)2+3(0)10
y=-10y=10
So the y-intercept is (0, -10)

To find the x-intercepts, let y=0
y=x^2+3x-10y=x2+3x10
0=x^2+3x-100=x2+3x10

Now, factor the expression:
0=(x+5)(x-2)0=(x+5)(x2)

Using the zero product rule, set each bracket equal to zero:
x+5=0x+5=0 or x-2=0x2=0
Giving the result
x=-5x=5 and x=2x=2
So the x-intercepts are (-5,0) and (2,0)(5,0)and(2,0)

The vertex is on the line (called the axis of symmetry) that is half-way between the x-intercepts. To find the half-way value, find the midpoint between the x-intercepts:
(x_1+x_2)/2=(-5+2)/2x1+x22=5+22
color(white)(aaaaaaa)aaaaaaa =-3/2=32
So the axis of symmetry is x=-3/2x=32, and to find the y value of the vertex, substitute this value for x into the equation y=x^2+3x-10y=x2+3x10
y=(-3/2)^2+3(-3/2)-10y=(32)2+3(32)10
y=9/4-9/2-10y=949210
Getting common denominators and adding,
y=9/4-18/4-40/4y=94184404
y=-49/4y=494
Therefore the vertex of the parabola is (-3/2,-49/4)(32,494)

Graph the parabola by plotting the vertex, the y-intercept and the x-intercepts and an additional point (-3,-10) which is the matching point to the y-intercept on the other side of the axis of symmetry. These 5 points should give a reasonable representation of the graph of the parabola.