Problem

Student Name : Student Date: 04/11/2024 10:23 PM

Marcofragoso0
Login Name : SMARCOFRAGOSO0 Class Name : PreCalculus and
Problem Solving

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Finding the x-intercept(s) and the vertex of a parabola

SAMPLE QUESTION

2
Find the x-intercept(s) and the coordinates of the vertex for the parabola y = x + 2x + 1. If there is more than
one x-intercept, separate them with commas.

EXPLANATION

Finding the x-intercept(s)

An x-intercept is the x-coordinate of a point where the graph crosses the x-axis.
A parabola can have zero, one, or two x-intercepts. Examples of each are shown below.

zero x-intercepts one x-intercept two x-intercepts

y y y

10 10 10

x x x

-10 -10 -10

At each point where a graph crosses the x-axis, the y-coordinate is 0.

2
To find any x-intercepts of the parabola y = x + 2x + 1, we let y = 0 and solve the resulting quadratic
equation.
 2
y = x + 2x + 1
2
0 = x + 2x + 1

0= x+1 x+1

solution: x = −1

So the only x-intercept is − 1.

Finding the vertex

2
We found above that the parabola y = x + 2x + 1 has only one x-intercept, x = − 1. So, the parabola
intersects the x-axis at only one point, − 1 , 0 . This means that the parabola must look like one of the
following.

Case 1: parabola opens up Case 2: parabola opens down

y y

x OR (-1, 0) x

-10 (-1, 0) 10 -10 10

In either case, the vertex of the parabola is at − 1, 0 .

Whenever a parabola intersects the x-axis at only one point, that point must be the vertex.

ANSWER

x-intercept(s): − 1
vertex: − 1 , 0

2 2
In fact, the parabola y = x + 2x + 1 opens up because the coefficient of the x term is positive (the coefficient
 2
is 1). Below is the graph of y = x + 2x + 1, with the vertex and axis of symmetry shown.

y
10

-10 vertex (-1, 0) 10

axis of symmetry

-10

2
Figure 1. Graph of y=x + 2x + 1