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3 2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
3 2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
3 2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
Use the related graph of each equation to determine its solutions.
1. x 2 + 2x + 3 = 0
SOLUTION:
There are no zeros of the function.
Therefore, there is no real solution of the equation.
ANSWER:
no real solution
2. x 2 – 3x – 10 = 0
SOLUTION:
The zeros of the function are –2 and 5.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are –2 and 5.
ANSWER:
–2, 5
3. –x 2 – 8x – 16 = 0
SOLUTION:
The zero of the function is –4.
Therefore, the solution of the equation is –4.
ANSWER:
–4
Solve each equation by graphing.
4. x 2 – 10x + 21 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
3 0
4 –3
5 –4
6 –3
7 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are 3 and 7.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are x = 3 or x = 7.
ANSWER:
3, 7
5. 4x 2 + 4x + 1 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–1 1
0 1
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zero of the function is .
Therefore, the solution of the equation is .
ANSWER:
6. x 2 + x – 6 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 0
–2 –4
–1 –6
–6.25
0 –6
1 –4
2 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are –3 and 2.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are x = –3 or x = 2.
ANSWER:
2, –3
7. x 2 + 2x – 3 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
x y
–3 0
–2 –3
–1 –4
0 –3
1 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are –3 and 1.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are x = –3 or x = 1.
ANSWER:
–3, 1
8. –x 2 – 6x – 9 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–5 –4
–4 –1
–3 0
–2 –1
–1 –4
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zero of the function is –3.
Therefore, the solution of the equation is x = –3.
ANSWER:
–3
9. x 2 – 6x + 5 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
1 0
2 –3
3 –4
4 –3
5 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are 1 and 5.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are x = 1 or x = 5.
ANSWER:
1, 5
10. x 2 + 2x + 3 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 6
–2 3
–1 2
0 3
1 6
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
There are no zeros of the function.
Therefore, there is no real solution of the equation.
ANSWER:
no real solution
11. x 2 – 3x – 10 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–2 0
0 –10
1.5 –12.25
3 –10
5 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are –2 and 5.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are x = –2 or x = 5.
ANSWER:
–2, 5
12. –x 2 – 8x – 16 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–6 –4
–5 –1
–4 0
–3 –1
–2 –4
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zero of the function is –4.
Therefore, the solution of the equation is x = –4.
ANSWER:
–4
13. Use a quadratic equation to find two real numbers with a sum of 2 and a product of –24.
SOLUTION:
Let x represent one of the numbers. Then 2 – x will represent the other number. So x(2 – x) = –24.
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–4 0
–1 –21
1 –25
3 –21
6 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are –4 and 6.
x = –4 and x = 6, so 2 – x = 6 or 2 – x = –4. Thus, the two numbers with a sum of 2 and a product of –24 are –4
and 6.
ANSWER:
6 and –4
14. Use a quadratic equation to find two real numbers with a sum of –15 and a product of –54.
SOLUTION:
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
Let x represent one of the numbers. Then –15 – x will represent the other number. So x(–15 – x) = –54.
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–18 0
–15 –54
–12 –90
–7.5 –110.3
–3 –90
0 –54
3 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are –18 and 3.
x = –18 and x = 3, so –15 – x = 3 or –15 – x = –18. Thus, the two numbers with a sum of –15 and a product of
–54 are –18 and 3.
ANSWER:
3 and –18
Solve each equation by graphing. If the exact roots cannot be found, state the consecutive integers
between which the roots are located.
15. x 2 – 4x + 2 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
0 2
1 –1
2 –2
3 –1
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
4 2
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between 0 and 1, and the other solution is between 3 and
4.
ANSWER:
between 0 and 1; between 3 and 4
16. x 2 + 6x + 6 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–5 1
–4 –2
–3 –3
–2 –2
–1 1
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –5 and –4, and the other solution is between –2
and –1.
ANSWER:
between –2 and –1; between –5 and –4
17. x 2 + 4x + 2 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–4 2
–3 –1
–2 –2
–1 –1
0 2
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –4 and –3, and the other solution is between –1
and 0.
ANSWER:
between –1 and 0; between –4 and –3
18. –x 2 – 4x = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–4 0
–3 3
–2 4
–1 3
0 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is –4, and the other solution is 0.
ANSWER:
0, –4
19. –x 2 + 36 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–6 0
–4 20
–2 32
0 36
2 32
4 20
6 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is –6, and the other solution is 6.
ANSWER:
–6, 6
20. x 2 – 6x + 4 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
0 4
1 –1
2 –4
3 –5
4 –4
5 –1
6 4
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between 0 and 1, and the other solution is between 5 and
6.
ANSWER:
between 0 and 1; between 5 and 6
21. x 2 + 5x + 3 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
x y
–5 3
–4 –1
–3 –3
–2.5 –3.25
–2 –3
–1 –1
0 3
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –5 and –4, and the other solution is between –1
and 0.
ANSWER:
between –1 and 0; between –5 and –4
22. x 2 – 7 = 0
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 2
–2 –3
–1 –6
0 –7
1 –6
2 –3
3 2
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –3 and –2, and the other solution is between 2
and 3.
ANSWER:
between –3 and –2; between 2 and 3
23. –x 2 – 4x – 6 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–4 –6
–3 –3
–2 –2
–1 –3
0 –6
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
There are no x-intercepts of the graph, which indicates that there is no real solution.
ANSWER:
no real solution
Use the tables to determine the location of the zeros of each quadratic function. State the consecutive
integers between which the roots are located.
24.
x –7 –6 –5 –4 –3 –2 –1 0
f(x) –8 –1 4 4 –1 –8 –22 –48
SOLUTION:
Find where the sign of f(x) changes. The sign changes between x = –6 and x = –5.
Therefore, one zero is between –6 and –5.
Look again for where the sign of f(x) changes. The sign also changes between x = –4 and x = –3.
Therefore, another zero is between –4 and –3.
ANSWER:
between –6 and –5; between –4 and –3
25.
x –2 –1 0 1 2 3 4 5
f(x) 32 14 2 –3 –3 2 14 32
SOLUTION:
Find where the sign of f(x) changes. The sign changes between x = 0 and x = 1.
Therefore, one zero is between 0 and 1.
Look again for where the sign of f(x) changes. The sign also changes between x = 2 and x = 3.
Therefore, another zero is between 2 and 3.
ANSWER:
between 0 and 1; between 2 and 3
26.
x –6 –3 0 3 6 9 12 15
f(x) –6 –1 3 5 3 –1 –6 –14
SOLUTION:
Find where the sign of f(x) changes. The sign changes between x = –3 and x = 0.
Therefore, one zero is between –3 and 0.
Look again for where the sign of f(x) changes. The sign also changes between x = 6 and x = 9.
Therefore, another zero is between 6 and 9.
ANSWER:
between –3 and 0; between 6 and 9
Use a table to solve each equation. If the exact roots cannot be found, approximate the roots to the
nearest hundredth.
27. –3x 2 + 3 = 0
SOLUTION:
Enter –3x 2 + 3 in the Y= list. Use the TABLE window to find where the zeros of the function are located.
One zero is located at x = –1. The other zero is located at x = 1. So, the solutions to the equation are –1 and 1.
ANSWER:
–1, 1
28. x 2 – 3x + 2 = 0
SOLUTION:
Enter x 2 – 3x + 2 in the Y= list. Use the TABLE window to find where the zeros of the function are located.
One zero is located at x = 1. The other zero is located at x = 3. So, the solutions to the equation are 1 and 3.
ANSWER:
1, 2
29.
SOLUTION:
Enter in the Y= list. Use the TABLE window to find where the sign of Y1 changes.
The sign changes between x = –2 and x = –1.
Use TBLSET to change ΔTbl to 0.1 and look again for the sign change. Repeated this for 0.01 to get a more
accurate location of one zero.
One zero is located at approximately x = –1.45.
Repeat this process for the second zero of the function.
The zeros of the function are at approximately –1.45 and 3.45, so the solutions to the equation are approximately
–1.45 and 3.45.
ANSWER:
≈ –1.45, ≈ 3.45
30. x 2 – 2x – 2 = 0
SOLUTION:
Enter x 2 – 2x – 2 in the Y= list. Use the TABLE window to find where the sign of Y1 changes.
The sign changes between x = –1 and x = 0.
Use TBLSET to change ΔTbl to 0.1 and look again for the sign change. Repeated this for 0.01 to get a more
accurate location of one zero.
One zero is located at approximately x = –0.73.
Repeat this process for the second zero of the function.
The zeros of the function are at approximately –0.73 and 2.73, so the solutions to the equation are approximately
–0.73 and 2.73.
ANSWER:
≈ 2.73, ≈ –0.73
31. –x 2 + 2x + 4 = 0
SOLUTION:
Enter –x 2 + 2x + 4 in the Y= list. Use the TABLE window to find where the sign of Y1 changes.
The sign changes between x = –2 and x = –1.
Use TBLSET to change ΔTbl to 0.1 and look again for the sign change. Repeated this for 0.01 to get a more
accurate location of one zero.
One zero is located at approximately x = –1.24.
Repeat this process for the second zero of the function.
The zeros of the function are at approximately –1.24 and 3.24, so the solutions to the equation are approximately
–1.24 and 3.24.
ANSWER:
≈ 3.24, ≈ –1.24
32. 2x 2 – 12x + 17 = 0
SOLUTION:
Enter 2x 2 – 12x + 17 in the Y= list. Use the TABLE window to find where the sign of Y1 changes.
The sign changes between x = 2 and x = 3.
Use TBLSET to change ΔTbl to 0.1 and look again for the sign change. Repeated this for 0.01 to get a more
accurate location of one zero.
One zero is located at approximately x = 2.29.
Repeat this process for the second zero of the function.
The zeros of the function are at approximately 2.29 and 3.71, so the solutions to the equation are approximately
2.29 and 3.71.
ANSWER:
≈ 2.29, ≈ 3.71
PHYSICS Use the formula h(t) = –16t2 + v0t + h0, where h(t) is the height of an object in feet, v0 is the
object’s initial velocity in feet per second, t is the time in seconds, and h0 is the initial height in feet from
which the object is launched. Round to the nearest tenth, if necessary.
33. Melah throws a baseball with an initial upward velocity of 32 feet per second. The baseball is released from
Melah's hand at a height of 4 feet. Use a graphing calculator to determine how long it will take the ball to hit the
ground.
SOLUTION:
v 0 is the initial velocity, so v 0 = 32. h0 is the initial height, so h0 = 4. Find t when h(t) = 0. Use a graphing
calculator to graph the related function h(t) = –16t 2 + 32t + 4.
Enter the function in the Y= list, and press graph.
Use the zero feature in the CALC menu to find the positive zero. Find the left bound by placing the cursor to the
left of the intercept. Find the right bound.
The zero is approximately 2.1. Thus, it will take the ball approximately 2.1 seconds to hit the ground.
ANSWER:
2.1 seconds
34. A punter kicks a football with an initial upward velocity of 60 feet per second. The ball is 2 feet above the ground
when his foot meets the ball. Use a graphing calculator to determine how long will it take the ball to hit the ground.
SOLUTION:
v 0 is the initial velocity, so v 0 = 60. h0 is the initial height, so h0 = 2. Find t when h(t) = 0. Use a graphing
calculator to graph the related function h(t) = –16t 2 + 60t + 2.
Enter the function in the Y= list, and press graph.
Use the zero feature in the CALC menu to find the positive zero. Find the left bound by placing the cursor to the
left of the intercept. Find the right bound.
The zero is approximately 3.8. Thus, it will take the ball approximately 3.8 seconds to hit the ground.
ANSWER:
3.8 seconds
Solve each equation by graphing. If the exact roots cannot be found, state the consecutive integers
between which the roots are located.
35. 4x 2 – 15 = –4x
SOLUTION:
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 9
–2 –7
–1 –15
–16
0 –15
1 –7
2 9
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –3 and –2, and the other solution is between 1
and 2.
ANSWER:
between –3 and –2, between 1 and 2
36. –35 = –3x – 2x 2
SOLUTION:
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–5 0
–4 –15
–3 –26
–2 –33
–1 –36
–36.13
0 –35
1 –30
2 –21
3 –8
4 9
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is –5, and the other solution is between 3 and 4.
ANSWER:
–5, between 3 and 4
37. –3x 2 + 11x + 9 = 1
SOLUTION:
Solve the equation for 0.
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–1 –6
0 8
1 16
2 18
3 14
4 4
5 –12
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –1 and 0, and the other solution is between 4
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
and 5.
ANSWER:
between –1 and 0, between 4 and 5
38. –4x 2 = 12x + 8
SOLUTION:
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 8
–2 0
–1.5 –1
–1 0
0 8
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is –2, and the other solution is –1.
ANSWER:
–2 and –1
39. –0.5x 2 + 18 = –6x + 33
SOLUTION:
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
3 –1.5
4 1
5 2.5
6 3
7 2.5
8 1
9 –1.5
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between 3 and 4, and the other solution is between 8 and
9.
ANSWER:
between 3 and 4, between 8 and 9
40. 0.5x 2 + 0.75 = 0.25x
SOLUTION:
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–1 1.5
0 0.75
0.25 0.71875
1 1
2 2.25
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
There are no x-intercepts of the graph, which indicates that there is no real solution.
ANSWER:
no real solution
41. 3x 2 + 8x = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 3
–2 –4
–1 –5
0 0
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –3 and –2, and the other solution is 0.
ANSWER:
between –3 and –2; 0
42. 2x 2 + x = 11
SOLUTION:
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 4
–2 –5
–1 –10
–0.25 –11.13
0 –11
1 –8
2 –1
3 10
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –3 and –2, and the other solution is between 2
and 3.
ANSWER:
between –3 and –2; between 2 and 3
43. –0.1x 2 + 0.5x + 10 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–8 –0.4
–7 1.6
–6 3.4
–5 5
–4 6.4
–3 7.6
–2 8.6
–1 9.4
0 10
1 10.4
2 10.6
2.5 10.625
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
3 10.6
4 10.4
5 10
6 9.4
7 8.6
8 7.6
9 6.4
10 5
11 3.4
12 1.6
13 –0.4
Plot the points and connect them with a curve.
The x-intercepts of the graph indicate that one solution is between –8 and –7, and the other solution is between 12
and 13.
ANSWER:
between –8 and –7; between 12 and 13
Use a graph or table to solve each equation. If exact roots cannot be found, state the consecutive integers
between which the roots are located.
44. x 2 + 4x = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–4 0
–3 –3
–2 –4
–1 –3
0 0
The zeros of the function are –4 and 0.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are x = –4 or x = 0.
ANSWER:
–4, 0
45. –2x 2 – 4x – 5 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 –11
–2 –5
–1 –3
0 –5
1 –11
The sign does not change. So, there are no zeros of the function.
Therefore, there is no real solution of the equation.
ANSWER:
no real solution
46. 0.5x 2 – 2x + 2 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
0 2
1 0.5
2 0
3 0.5
4 2
The zero of the function is 2.
Therefore, the solution of the equation is x = 2.
ANSWER:
2
47. –0.25x 2 – x – 1 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–4 –1
–3 –0.25
–2 0
–1 –0.25
0 –1
The zero of the function is –2.
Therefore, the solution of the equation is x = –2.
ANSWER:
–2
48. x 2 – 6x + 11 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
1 6
2 3
3 2
4 3
5 6
The sign does not change. So, there are no zeros of the function.
Therefore, there is no real solution of the equation.
ANSWER:
no real solution
49. –0.5x 2 + x + 6 = 0
SOLUTION:
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–3 –1.5
–2 2
–1 4.5
0 6
1 6.5
2 6
3 4.5
4 2
5 –1.5
The sign changes between x = –3 and x = –2. The sign changes again between x = 4 and x = 5.
Therefore, the solutions of the equation are between –3 and –2, and between 4 and 5.
ANSWER:
between –3 and –2, between 4 and 5
REGULARITY Use a quadratic equation to find two real numbers that satisfy each situation, or show that
no such numbers exist.
50. Their sum is 4, and their product is –117.
SOLUTION:
Let x represent one of the numbers. Then 4 – x will represent the other number. So x(4 – x) = –117.
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–9 0
–7 –40
–4 –85
–1 –112
2 –121
5 –112
8 –85
11 –40
13 0
The zeros of the function are –9 and 13.
x = –9 and x = 13, so 4 – x = 13 or 4 – x = –9. Thus, the two numbers with a sum of 4 and a product of –117
are –9 and 13.
ANSWER:
13 and –9
51. Their sum is 12, and their product is –85.
SOLUTION:
Let x represent one of the numbers. Then 12 – x will represent the other number. So x(12 – x) = –85.
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–5 0
–3 –40
–1 –72
1 –96
3 –112
5 –120
6 –121
7 –120
9 –112
11 –96
13 –72
15 –40
17 0
The zeros of the function are –5 and 17.
x = –5 and x = 17, so 12 – x = 17 or 12 – x = –5. Thus, the two numbers with a sum of 12 and a product of –85
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3-2 Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
are –5 and 17.
ANSWER:
–5 and 17
52. Their sum is –13, and their product is 42.
SOLUTION:
Let x represent one of the numbers. Then –13 – x will represent the other number. So x(–13 – x) = 42.
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–7 0
–6.5 –0.25
–6 0
The zeros of the function are –7 and –6.
x = –7 and x = –6, so –13 – x = –6 or –13 – x = –7. Thus, the two numbers with a sum of –13 and a product of
42 are –7 and –6.
ANSWER:
–6 and –7
53. Their sum is –8, and their product is –209.
SOLUTION:
Let x represent one of the numbers. Then –8 – x will represent the other number. So x(–8 – x) = –209.
Solve the equation for 0.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–19 0
–15 –104
–11 –176
–7 –216
–4 –225
–1 –216
3 –176
7 –104
11 0
The zeros of the function are –19 and 11.
x = –19 and x = 11, so –8 – x = 11 or –8 – x = –19. Thus, the two numbers with a sum of –8 and a product of –
209 are –19 and 11.
ANSWER:
11 and –19
54. BRIDGES In 1895, a brick arch railway bridge was built on North Avenue in Baltimore, Maryland. The arch is
described by the equation , where h is the height in yards and x is the distance in yards from the
center of the bridge. Graph this equation and describe, to the nearest yard, where the bridge touches the ground.
SOLUTION:
Write the equation in standard form.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–22 –0.68
–21 0.18
–15 4.5
–10 7
–5 8.5
0 9
5 8.5
10 7
15 4.5
21 0.18
22 –0.68
Plot the points, and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are between –22 and –21 and between 21 and 22.
The bridge touches the ground about 21 yards from the center of the bridge on either side at about (–21, 0) and
about (21, 0).
ANSWER:
The bridge touches the ground approximately 21 yards from the center of the bridge on either side at (–21, 0) and
(21, 0).
55. RADIO TELESCOPES The cross section of a large radio telescope is a parabola. The equation that describes
the cross section is , where y is the depth of the dish in meters at a point x meters from the
center of the dish. If represents the top of the dish, what is the width of the dish? Solve by graphing.
SOLUTION:
The dish does not extend above the the line y = 0. So solve by graphing to find the width.
Find the axis of symmetry.
Make a table of values.
x y
–8 1.7067
–7 –0.0267
0 –10.67
10 –21.33
20 –26.67
25 –27.33
30 –26.67
40 –21.33
50 –10.67
57 –0.0267
58 1.7067
Plot the points, and connect them with a curve.
The zeros of the function are between –8 and –7 and between 57 and 58.
The width of the dish is about |–7| + |57| = 64 m.
ANSWER:
64 m;
56. VOLCANOES A volcanic eruption blasts a boulder upward with an initial velocity of 240 feet per second. The
height h of the boulder in feet, t seconds after the eruption can be modeled by the function h(t) = –16t 2 + v 0t.
How long will it take the boulder to hit the ground if it lands at the same elevation from which it was ejected?
SOLUTION:
v 0 is the initial velocity, so v 0 = 240. Find t when h(t) = 0. Use a graphing calculator to graph the related function
h(t) = –16t 2 + 240t.
Enter the function in the Y= list, and press graph.
Use the zero feature in the CALC menu to find the positive zero. Find the left bound by placing the cursor to the
left of the intercept. Find the right bound.
The zero is 15. Thus, it will take the boulder 15 seconds to hit the ground.
ANSWER:
15 seconds
57. TRAJECTORIES Daniela hit a golf ball from ground level. The function h = 80t – 16t 2 represents the height of
the ball in feet, where t is the time in seconds after Daniela hit it. Use the graph of the function to determine how
long it took for the ball to reach the ground.
SOLUTION:
The zeros are 0 and 5. Thus, it will take the ball 5 – 0 = 5 seconds to hit the ground.
ANSWER:
5 seconds
58. HIKING Antonia is hiking and reaches a steep part of the trail that runs along the edge of a cliff. In order to
descend more safely, she drops her heavy backpack over the edge of the cliff so that it will land on a lower part of
the trail, 38.75 feet below. The height h(t) of an object t seconds after it is dropped straight down can also be
modeled by the function h(t) = –16t 2 + v 0t + h0, where v 0 is the initial velocity of the object, and h0 is the initial
height.
a. Write a quadratic function that can be used to determine the amount of time t that it takes for the backpack to
land on the trail below the cliff after Antonia drops it.
b. Use a graphing calculator to determine how long until the backpack hits the ground. Round to the nearest tenth.
SOLUTION:
Enter the function in the Y= list, and press graph.
Use the zero feature in the CALC menu to find the positive zero. Find the left bound by placing the cursor to the
left of the intercept. Find the right bound.
The zero is approximately 1.6. Thus, it will take the backpack approximately 1.6 seconds to hit the ground.
ANSWER:
a. h(t) = –16t 2 + 38.75
b. 2.1 seconds
59. FIND THE ERROR Hakeem and Nandi were asked to find the location of the roots of the quadratic function
represented by the table. Is either of them correct? Explain.
x –4 –2 0 2 4 6 8 10
y 52 26 8 –2 –4 2 16 38
Nandi
Hakeem
The roots are between –2 and
The roots are between 4 and 6 because
0 because x changes signs at that
f(x) stops decreasing and begins to
location.
increase between x – 4 and x – 6.
SOLUTION:
Hakeem is right about the location of one of the roots, but his reason is not accurate. The roots are located
where f(x) changes signs.
Nandi is not correct because the sign of f(x) does not change between –2 and 0.
Therefore, neither Hakeem nor Nandi are correct.
ANSWER:
No; sample answer: Hakeem is right about the location of one of the roots, but his reason is not accurate. The
roots are located where f(x) changes signs.
If k + 3 is a root, then [x – (k + 3)] is a factor. If k – 3 is a root, then [x – (k – 3)] is a factor.
So, k 2 – 9 = 55.
k is a positive integer, k = 8.
ANSWER:
k = 8
61. ANALYZE If a quadratic function has a minimum at (–6, –14) and a root at x = –17, What is the other root?
Explain your reasoning.
SOLUTION:
The intercepts are equidistant from the axis of symmetry.
The distance between x = –6 and x = –17 is 11 units. So, the other root is at x = –6 + 11, or 5.
ANSWER:
5; Sample answer: The intercepts are equidistant from the axis of symmetry.
62. CREATE Write a quadratic function with a maximum at (3, 125) and roots at –2 and 8.
SOLUTION:
The vertex form of a parabola is y = a(x – h)2 + k, where (h, k) is the vertex, or in this case the maximum. A root
of –2 means that the point (–2, 0) is on the parabola.
Write the quadratic function.
The quadratic function f(x) = –5x 2 + 30x + 80 has a maximum at (3, 125) and roots at –2 and 8.
ANSWER:
f(x) = –5x 2 + 30x + 80
63. WRITE Explain how to solve a quadratic equation by graphing its related quadratic function.
SOLUTION:
Graph the function using the axis of symmetry. Determine where the graph intersects the x-axis. The x-coordinates
of those points are solutions of the quadratic equation.
ANSWER:
Sample answer: Graph the function using the axis of symmetry. Determine where the graph intersects the x-axis.
The x-coordinates of those points are solutions of the quadratic equation.