How do you find the points

on the graph of the function

f(x) = x
2
- 4x + 3 that
intersect the x-axis?
In this lesson you will
learn how to find the
x-intercepts of a quadratic
function by factoring.
Lets Review
The y-coordinate of
an x-intercept is
always zero.
y = x
2
- 2x - 3
f(x) = x
2
- 2x - 3
x-intercepts
A Common Misunderstanding
You find the x-intercepts of a function by
plugging in zero to the function.
f(x) = x
2
- 2x - 3
f(0) = (0)
2
- 2(0) - 3
f(0) = 0 - 0 - 3
f(0) = -3
(0, -3)
Core Lesson
Find the x-intercepts of f(x) = x
2
- 4x + 3.
an x-intercept has a y-
coordinate of 0
y means the same thing as f(x)
x-intercepts occur when f(x) is 0
the zeros of a function occur
when f(x) is 0
Core Lesson
The x-intercepts are the zeros
of the function.
Find the x-intercepts of f(x) = x
2
- 4x + 3.
x
2
- 4x + 3 = 0
(x - 3)(x - 1) = 0
x - 3 = 0 or x - 1 = 0
x = 3 or x = 1
Core Lesson
Find the x-intercepts of f(x) = x
2
- 4x + 3.
x = 3 or x = 1
x f(x)
1 0
3 0
2 -1 (2)
2
-4(2)+3=-1
0 3
(0)
2
-4(0)+3=3
4 3 (4)
2
-4(4)+4=3
x-intercepts
Core Lesson
Find the x-intercepts of f(x) = 2x
2
+ x - 6.
2x
2
+ x - 6 = 0
(2x - 3)(x + 2) = 0
2x - 3 = 0 or x + 2 = 0
x = 3 or x = -2
2

x-intercepts
In this lesson you have
learned how to find the
x-intercepts of a quadratic
function by factoring.