2.6.4.

Discussion-Precalculus

Consider what you know about the relative locations of the​ vertex and ​x​-intercepts​ of
the graph of a quadratic function. Describe in detail how the quadratic formula defines these
points algebraically.

The quadratic formula helps us solve quadratic equations in order to find the vertex and
the x-intercepts. To find the x-intercepts of a quadratic equation, you must first bring ​all terms to
one side of the equation, leaving a zero on the other side. Then, plug the coefficients of the
quadratic equation into the formula and solve as needed to find the roots/x-intercepts.
The vertex of a quadratic equation can be found using the formula -b/2a. In fact, the
quadratic formula contains parts of the formula for vertex in its own formula:
-b​+/-sqrtb^2-4ac/​2a.