How do you find the zeros, if any, of y= -4x^2 - 8 using the quadratic formula?

2 Answers
May 13, 2016

Since y is less than zero for all Real values of x there are no Real zeros.
However the quadratic formula can be used to determine the Complex zeros: x=+-sqrt(2)i

Explanation:

The quadratic formula tells us that for a quadratic in the form:
color(white)("XXX")color(red)(a)x^2+color(blue)(b)+color(green)(c)=0
the zeros occur at
color(white)("XXX")x=(-color(blue)(b)+-sqrt(color(blue)(b)^2-4color(red)(a)color(green)(c)))/(2color(red)(a))

Converting the given
color(white)("XXX")y=-4x^2-8
into the required form:
color(white)("XXX")y=color(red)(""(-4))x^2+color(blue)(0)x+color(green)(""(-8))

The zeros occur at
color(white)("XXX")x=(color(blue)(0)+-sqrt(color(blue)(0)^2-4(color(red)(-4))(color(green)(-8))))/(2(color(red)(-4)))

color(white)("XxXX")=+-sqrt(-2)

color(white)("XxXX")=+-sqrt(2)i

May 13, 2016

There is no 'Real Number' solution for y=0 so the graph does not cross the x-axis.

However there is a solution for y=0 within the set of numbers called Complex Numbers, and that is x=+-i sqrt(2)

The solution for x=0 is y=-8

Explanation:

The x-intercepts occur at the points where the graph crosses the x-axis. This is when y=0.

Given:" "y=-4x^2-8

Substitute 0 for y giving:

" "0=-4x^2-8

Multiply both sides by (-1) giving

" "0=4x^2+8

Subtract 8 from both sides

" "0-8=4x^2+8-8

But 8-8=0

" "-8=4x^2

Divide both sides by 4

-8/4=4/4xx x^2

But 4/4=1

-2=x^2

Take the square root of each side

x=+-sqrt(-2)

There is no 'Real Number' solution to x so the graph does not cross the x-axis.

However there is a solution within the set of numbers called complex numbers and that is x=+-i sqrt(2)