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How To Solve A Quadratic Equation by Graphing

This document provides examples of solving quadratic equations by graphing. It discusses equations with two real roots, a double root, no real roots, and estimating roots. Graphing is used to find the x-intercepts which are the solutions to the quadratic equations.

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helendube7
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17 views3 pages

How To Solve A Quadratic Equation by Graphing

This document provides examples of solving quadratic equations by graphing. It discusses equations with two real roots, a double root, no real roots, and estimating roots. Graphing is used to find the x-intercepts which are the solutions to the quadratic equations.

Uploaded by

helendube7
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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How to Solve a Quadratic Equation by Graphing

Example 1 Two Roots


Solve x 2 + 12 = -8x by graphing.
First rewrite the equation so one side is equal to zero.
x 2 + 12 = -8x Original equation
x 2 + 12 + 8x = -8x + 8x Add 8x to each side.
2
x + 8x + 12 = 0 Simplify.
8
Graph the related function f(x) = x 2 + 8x + 12. The equation of the axis of symmetry is x = - or
2(1)
x = -4. When x = -4, f(x) equals (-4) 2 + 8(-4) + 12 or –4. So, the coordinates of the vertex are (-4, -4).
Make a table of values to find other points to sketch the graph.
x f(x)
-7 5
-6 0
-5 -3
-4 -4
-3 -3
-2 0
-1 5

To solve x 2 + 8x + 12 = 0, you need to know where the value of f(x) is 0. This occurs at the x-intercepts.
The x-intercepts of the parabola appear to be –6 and –2.

CHECK: Solve by factoring.


x2 + 8x + 12 = 0 Original equation
(x + 6)(x + 2) = 0 Factor.
x + 6 = 0 or x + 2 = 0 Zero Product Property
x = -6 x = -2 Solve for x.
The solutions of the equation are -6 and -2.
Example 2 A Double Root
Solve x 2 – 6x + 9 = 0 by graphing.
Graph the related function f(x) = x 2 – 6x + 9.
x f(x)
0 9
1 4
2 1
3 0
4 1
5 4
6 9

Notice that the vertex of the parabola is the x-intercept. Thus, one solution is 3. What is the other
solution?
Try solving the equation by factoring.
x 2 – 6x + 9 = 0 Original equation
(x – 3)(x – 3) = 0 Factor.
x – 3 = 0 or x – 3 = 0 Zero Product Property
x=3 x=3 The solution is 3.

Example 3 No Real Roots


Solve -2x 2 + 3x – 4 = 0 by graphing.
Graph the related function f(x) = -2x 2 + 3x – 4.
x f(x)
-1 -9
0 -4
1 -3
2 -6

The graph has no x-intercept. Thus, there are no real number solutions for this equation.
Example 4 Rational Roots
Solve 3x 2 – 5x – 3 = 0 by graphing. If integral roots cannot be found, estimate the roots by stating
the consecutive integers between which the roots lie.
Graph the related function f(x) = 3x 2 – 5x – 3.
x f(x)
-2 19
-1 5
0 -3
1 -5
2 -1
3 9
4 25

The x-intercepts are between –1 and 0 and between 2 and 3. So, one root is between –1 and 0, and the
other root is between 2 and 3.

Example 5 Estimate Solutions to Solve a Problem


Alex will catch a ball that is thrown to him from a tree house. If the ball is thrown from 15 feet
above the ground with an initial velocity of 24 feet per second, the function y = -16t 2 + 24t + 10
represents the height of the ball y in feet above Alex’s hand after t seconds. (Alex will catch the ball
when it is 5 feet above ground.) When will Alex catch the ball?

You need to find the solution of the equation


0 = -16t 2 + 24t + 10. Use a graphing calculator
to graph the related function
y = -16t 2 + 24t + 10. The x-intercept is about
1.84. Therefore, the ball will reach Alex’s hand
in 1.84 seconds.

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