Question

How do you identify the important parts of `y= ½(x-4)(x+2)` to graph it?

Answer 1

Graph `y = (1/2)(x - 4)(x + 2)`

Explanation:

The important parts are:
a. x-coordinate of axes of symmetry and vertex:
`x = (x1 + x2)/2 = (4 - 2)/2 = 1`
y-coordinate of vertex: `y = (f1) = (1/2)(-3)(3) = -9/2`
b. y-intercept --> Make x = 0 --> `y = -8/2 = -4`
c. x-intercepts --> x = 4 and x = -2
graph{1/2(x - 4)(x + 2) [-10, 10, -5, 5]}