Big Ideas Math Algebra 2, 2014
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Big Ideas Math Algebra 2, 2014 View details
4. Adding and Subtracting Rational Expressions
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Exercise 60 Page 390

Find the vertex and the axis of symmetry of the parabola.

Graph:

Solutions: No solutions.

Practice makes perfect

To solve the system of equations by graphing, we will draw the graph of the two quadratic functions on the same coordinate grid. Let's start with the first parabola.

Graphing the First Parabola

To graph the parabola, we first need to identify a, b, and c. 3=y-x^2-x ⇔ y= 1x^2+ 1x+ 3 For this equation we have that a= 1, b= 1, and c= 3. Now, we can find the vertex using its formula. To do this, we will need to think of y as a function of x, y=f(x). Vertex of a Parabola: ( - b/2 a,f(- b/2 a) ) Let's find the x-coordinate of the vertex.
- b/2a
- 1/2( 1)
- 1/2
We use the x-coordinate of the vertex to find its y-coordinate by substituting it into the given equation.
y=x^2+x+3
y=( - 1/2)^2+( - 1/2)+3
â–Ľ
Simplify right-hand side
y=1/4+(- 1/2)+3
y=1/4-1/2+3
y=1/4-2/4+3
y=1/4-2/4+12/4
y=11/4
The y-coordinate of the vertex is 114. Therefore, the vertex is at the point (- 12, 114). With this, we also know that the axis of symmetry of the parabola is the line x=- 12. Next, let's find two more points on the curve, one on each side of the axis of symmetry.
x x^2+x+3 y=x^2+x+3
1 1^2+ 1+3 5
- 2 ( - 2)^2+( - 2)+3 5

Both ( 1, 5) and ( - 2, 5) are on the graph. Let's form the parabola by connecting these points and the vertex with a smooth curve.

Graphing the Second Parabola

Now, we need to repeat the procedure to draw the second parabola. Let's start by identifying a, b, and c. y=- x^2-3x-5 ⇕ y= - 1x^2+( - 3)x+( - 5) For this equation we have that a= - 1, b= - 3, and c= - 5. Now, we can find the vertex using its formula. Let's find the x-coordinate of the vertex.
- b/2a
- - 3/2( - 1)
- - 3/- 2
- 3/2
-3/2
We use the x-coordinate of the vertex to find its y-coordinate by substituting it into the given equation.
y=- x^2-3x-5
y=- ( - 3/2)^2-3( - 3/2)-5
â–Ľ
Simplify right-hand side
y=- 9/4-3(- 3/2)-5
y=- 9/4+3(3/2)-5
y=- 9/4+9/2-5
y=- 9/4+18/4-5
y=- 9/4+18/4-20/4
y=- 11/4
The y-coordinate of the vertex is - 114. Therefore, the vertex is at the point (- 32,- 114). With this, we also know that the axis of symmetry of the parabola is the line x=- 32. Next, let's find two more points on the curve, one on each side of the axis of symmetry.
x - x^2-3x-5 y=- x^2-3x-5
0 - 0^2-3( 0)-5 - 5
- 3 - ( - 3)^2-3( - 2)-5 - 5

Both ( 0, - 5) and ( - 3, - 5) are on the graph. Let's form the parabola by connecting these points and the vertex with a smooth curve.

Finding the Solutions

Finally, let's try to identify the coordinates of the points of intersection of the two parabolas.

As we can notice on the graph, the parabolas do not intersect. This means that the given system of equations does not have any solutions.