How do you find the axis of symmetry and the vertex when dealing with quadratics?

« previous next »

Author Question: How do you find the axis of symmetry and the vertex when dealing with quadratics? (Read 1588 times)

coco

Hero Member
Posts: 739

on: Jun 18, 2013

Ex. y= x^2 -6x + 5

Millan

Sr. Member
Posts: 368

Reply #1 on: Jun 18, 2013

You have to turn it into vertex form: y=(x-h)^2+k where h and k are the vertex.

To do that, you need to "complete the square" - A fast way to factor a quadratic

y=(x^2-6x+___)+5-___
To find the spot in the blank, do (b/2)^2
(-6/2)^2=+9
y=(x^2-6x+9)+5-9
y=(x^2-6x+9)-4
The parenthesis area can be factored into (x-3)(x-3) which = (x-3)^2

Thus, you vertex form is y=(x-3)^2-4
Your axis of symmetry is +3, vertex is (+3, -4)

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question

« previous next »

Did you know?

Children of people with alcoholism are more inclined to drink alcohol or use hard drugs. In fact, they are 400 times more likely to use hard drugs than those who do not have a family history of alcohol addiction.

Did you know?

Asthma-like symptoms were first recorded about 3,500 years ago in Egypt. The first manuscript specifically written about asthma was in the year 1190, describing a condition characterized by sudden breathlessness. The treatments listed in this manuscript include chicken soup, herbs, and sexual abstinence.

Did you know?

Cocaine was isolated in 1860 and first used as a local anesthetic in 1884. Its first clinical use was by Sigmund Freud to wean a patient from morphine addiction. The fictional character Sherlock Holmes was supposed to be addicted to cocaine by injection.

Did you know?

There are major differences in the metabolism of morphine and the illegal drug heroin. Morphine mostly produces its CNS effects through m-receptors, and at k- and d-receptors. Heroin has a slight affinity for opiate receptors. Most of its actions are due to metabolism to active metabolites (6-acetylmorphine, morphine, and morphine-6-glucuronide).

Did you know?

Throughout history, plants containing cardiac steroids have been used as heart drugs and as poisons (e.g., in arrows used in combat), emetics, and diuretics.