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1 - Polynomial and Rational Functions - Finding The Vertex, Intercepts and Axis of Symmetry From The Graph of A Parabola

The document discusses a sample question about identifying key features of a parabola graph including whether it opens upward or downward, the coordinates of the vertex, the equation of the axis of symmetry, and the intercepts. It provides background information on parabolas and then works through the sample question, identifying the requested features for the given graph.

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Marco Fragoso
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17 views

1 - Polynomial and Rational Functions - Finding The Vertex, Intercepts and Axis of Symmetry From The Graph of A Parabola

The document discusses a sample question about identifying key features of a parabola graph including whether it opens upward or downward, the coordinates of the vertex, the equation of the axis of symmetry, and the intercepts. It provides background information on parabolas and then works through the sample question, identifying the requested features for the given graph.

Uploaded by

Marco Fragoso
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Problem

Student Name : Student


Student Date: 04/09/2024
04/09/2024 6:24
6:24 PM
PM
Marcofragoso0
Marcofragoso0
Login Name : SMARCOFRAGOSO0
SMARCOFRAGOSO0 Class Name : PreCalculus
PreCalculus and
and
Problem
Problem Solving
Solving

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Finding the vertex, intercepts, and axis of symmetry from the graph of a
parabola

SAMPLE QUESTION

Use the graph of the parabola to fill in the table.


10 y
(a) Does the parabola open upward or downward?
8

6
upward downward
4

2 (b) Find the coordinates of the vertex.


x

-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
-2
vertex: ,
-4

-6

-8 (c) Find the equation of the axis of symmetry.


-10

equation of axis of symmetry:

(d) Find the intercept(s).

x-intercept(s):

y-intercept(s):

EXPLANATION

Background:
Background:

A parabola is a graph such as those shown below.


Here are some facts about parabolas.

Parabola
Parabola opening
opening upward
upward Parabola
Parabola opening
opening downward
downward

The vertex is the lowest point on the graph. The vertex is the highest point on the graph.

axis of symmetry
vertex

vertex
axis of symmetry

The axis of symmetry is the line that divides the parabola


into two "mirror images". (This line goes through the vertex.)

The
The current
current problem:
problem:

Our parabola is shown to the right.

(a) The parabola opens upward. 10


y

(b) Since the parabola opens upward, the axis of symmetry


8
vertex is the lowest point. So, the vertex
is 3, − 1 . 6 x = 3

(c) The axis of symmetry is the line that 4


divides the parabola into two mirror
images. (It goes through the vertex.) 2

So, the axis of symmetry is x = 3. x

-10 -8 -6 -4 -2 2 4 6 8 10
(d) The parabola intersects the x-axis at
-2 vertex 3, − 1
2 , 0 and 4 , 0 . So, the x-intercepts
-4
are 2 and 4.
-6
The parabola intersects the y-axis at
-8
0, 8 .
So, the y-intercept is 8. -10

ANSWER
(a) Does the parabola open upward or downward?

upward downward

(b) Find the coordinates of the vertex.

vertex: 3, − 1

(c) Find the equation of the axis of symmetry.

equation of axis of symmetry: x=3

(d) Find the intercept(s).

x-intercept(s): 2, 4

y-intercept(s): 8

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