How do you find the important points to graph #y=x^2-2x-3#?

2 Answers

The important points are x-intercepts #(-1, 0)# and #(3, 0)#, y-intercept #(0, -3)#, and the Vertex #(1, -4)#

Explanation:

From the given equation #y=x^2-2x-3# , set #x=0# then solve for the y-intercept

#y=x^2-2x-3#

#y=0^2-2*0-3#

#y=-3#

From the given equation #y=x^2-2x-3# , set #y=0# then solve for the x-intercept

#y=x^2-2x-3#

#x^2-2x-3=0#

by factoring method

#(x-3)(x+1)=0#

#x=3# and #x=-1# when #y=0#

so #(3, 0)# and #(-1, 0)# are x-intercepts

From the given equation #y=x^2-2x-3# ,by completing the square, find the vertex

#y=x^2-2x-3#

#y=x^2-2x+1-1-3#

#y=(x-1)^2-4#

#y--4=(x-1)^2#

the vertex (h, k)=#(1, -4)#

graph{y=x^2-2x-3[-20,20, -10, 10]}

have a nice day from the Philippines

Feb 8, 2016

Axis of symmetry: #x=1#
Vertex: #(1,-4)#
X-intercepts:#(-1,0)# and #(3,0)#

Explanation:

#y=x^2-2x-3# is a quadratic equation in standard form, #ax+bx+c#, where #a=1, b=-2, c=-3#. The graph of a quadratic equation is a parabola.

You need the axis of symmetry, the vertex, and the x-intercepts.

Axis of Symmetry
The axis of symmetry is an imaginary line dividing the parabola into two equal halves. The formula for the axis of symmetry is #x=(-b)/(2a)#.

Substitute the given values for #a# and #b# into the formula for the axis of symmetry.

#x=(-b)/(2a)#

#x=(-(-2)/(2*1))=#

#x=2/2=#

#color(green)(x=1)#

This is the axis of symmetry, and it is also the #x# value for the vertex.

Vertex
The vertex is the maximum or minimum point of a parabola. Since #a>0#, the vertex is the minimum and the parabola opens upward.

Substitute #1# for #x# into the quadratic equation and solve for #y#.

#y=x^2-2x-3#

#y=1^2-(2*1)-3=#

#y=1-2-3#

#color(purple)(y=-4)#

The vertex is #color(green)((1,color(purple)(-4))#.

X-Intercepts
The x-intercepts are the values of #x# that intersect the y-axis. A parabola has two x-intercepts.

Substitute #0# for #y# in the quadratic equation.

#0=x^2-2x-3#

Factor #x^2-2x-3#

Find two numbers that when added equal #-2#, and when multiplied equal #-3#. The numbers #1# and #-3# fit the pattern. Rewrite the equation as its factors.

#color(red)((x+1))color(blue)((x-3))=0#

First solve #color(red)((x+1))=0#

Subtract #color(red)1# from both sides.

#color(red)(x=-1)#

Next solve #color(blue)((x-3))=0#

Add #color(blue)(3)# to both sides.

#color(blue)(x=3)#

The x-intercepts are #(-1,0)# and #(3,0)#.

graph{y=x^2-2x-3 [-10, 10, -5, 5]}