Question

How do you find the axis of symmetry, and the maximum or minimum value of the function `y=x^2-7x+12`?

Answer 1

`Min (7/2, -1/4)`

Explanation:

x-coordinate of vertex, and the axis of symmetry:
`x = -b/(2a) = 7/2`
y-coordinate of vertex:
`y(7/2) = 49/4 - 49/2 + 12 = -49/4 + 48/4 = - 1/4`
Since a > 0, the parabola opens upward. There is minimum at the vertex `(7/2, -1/4)`