McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012
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McGraw Hill Integrated II, 2012 View details
5. Quadratic Inequalities
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Exercise 28 Page 211

Draw the graph of the related function.

Practice makes perfect
We will start by sketching the related quadratic function. To do so, we first need to identify the values of a, b, and c. y= 3x^2 + 12x + 36 We see that a= 3, b= 12, and c= 36. Let's substitute these values into the Quadratic Formula to find the roots of 3x^2+12x+36=0.
x=- b±sqrt(b^2-4ac)/2a
x=- 12±sqrt(12^2-4( 3)( 36))/2( 3)
Simplify right-hand side
x=- 12±sqrt(144-4(3)(36))/2(3)
x=- 12±sqrt(144-432)/6
x=- 12±sqrt(- 288)/6
We have found a negative discriminant, - 16. Therefore, the related quadratic function has no real solutions. This means the graph of the quadratic function does not intercept the x-axis. 3x^2+12x+36≤ 0 The solution of the given quadratic inequality consists of x-values for which the graph of the related quadratic function lies on and below the x-axis. The graph opens upward since a= 3 is greater than zero.

We see that the graph lies above the x-axis for all x-values. Hence, there is no x-value satisfying 3x^2+12x+36≤ 0. The solution set of the given quadratic inequality is an empty set. { } ⇔ ∅

Showing Our Work

Drawing the parabola using a point on the curve and vertex
We need at least three points to draw the graph of the related quadratic function.To draw the graph, we will first find the vertex, (- b2a,f(- b2a)).Then, we will find a point on the curve and reflect it across the axis of symmetry. Let's start by calculating the x-coordinate of the vertex. To do so, we will substitute a= 3 and b= 12 into - b2a.
- b/2a
- 12/2( 3)
- 12/6
- 2
To find the y-coordinate of the vertex, we will substitute - 2 for x in the related function y=3x^2+12x+36.
y=3x^2+12x+36
y=3(- 2)^2+12( - 2) +36
Simplify right-hand side
y=3(4)+12(- 2) +36
y=12-24 +36
y=24
The vertex is (- 2,24). Note that the formula for the x-coordinate of the vertex is the same as the formula for the axis of symmetry, which is x=- 2. Now, we will choose an x-value and substitute it for x in the function. Let's try x=1.
y=3x^2+12x+36
y=3( 1)^2+12( 1)+36
Simplify right-hand side
y=3(1)+12(1)+36
y=3+12+36
y=51
The point (1,51) lies on the curve. Since the axis of symmetry divides the graph into two mirror images, there exists another point on the oppositve side of the axis of symmetry with the same y-value.
Point Reflection Across x=- 2
(1, 51) (- 5, 51)

The vertex, along with the points, is helpful to graph a parabola.