What is the graph of #f(x) = 2x^2 - 3x + 7#?

1 Answer
Sep 27, 2014

To graph a quadratic equation we first need to factorise it into a different form.

First we check what the discriminant is equal to
Where #f(x)=ax^2+bx^2+c#
#Delta#(Discriminant)#=b^2-4ac#

In this case #Delta#=#3^2-4*2*7#
#Delta=-47#

Because it is less than zero it can't be factored normally
Therefore we must use the The Quadratic Formula or Completing the Square

Here I have completed the square

#f(x)=2x^2-3x+7#

Remove factor from #x^2# term

#f(x)=2*(x^2-3/2x+7/2)#

Take #x# term, half it and then square it

#f(x)=-3/2->-3/4->9/16#

Add and then subtract this number inside the equation

#f(x)=2*(x^2-3/2x+9/16-9/16+7/2)#

Combine the first three terms in a perfect square

#f(x)=2*((x-3/4)^2-9/16+7/2)#

Equate left over terms

#f(x)=2*((x-3/4)^2+47/16)#

Multiply coefficient back in

#f(x)=2(x-3/4)^2+47/8#

This gives a turning point of #(3/4,47/8)=(0.75,5.875)#
and a #y# intercept of #2*(3/4)^2+47/8#
#=(0,7)#

enter image source here