Problem

Student Name : Student Date: 04/12/2024 1:37 PM

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

Polynomial and Rational Functions

Finding the maximum or minimum of a quadratic function

SAMPLE QUESTION

Answer the questions below about the quadratic function.

2
f x = − 3x − 12x − 13

Does the function have a minimum or maximum value?

Where does the minimum or maximum value occur?

x=
What is the function's minimum or maximum value?

EXPLANATION

2
The graph of a quadratic function f x = a x + b x + c is a parabola.
2
We are given f x = − 3x − 12x − 13. The leading coefficient a = − 3 is negative.
So, the parabola opens downward, and f has a maximum value.
(If the parabola opened upward, then the function would have a minimum value.)

b
The vertex of the parabola tells us about the maximum value. The vertex occurs at x = − .
2a
For our function, a = − 3, b = − 12, and c = − 13, so we get the following.

b − 12
x= − =− = −2
2a 2 −3
 y

So the x-coordinate of the vertex is − 2.

We use this to compute the y-coordinate of the vertex.

2
y= f x = − 3 −2 − 12 − 2 − 13 x
− 2, − 1
= − 12 + 24 − 13
= −1

So the vertex is the point − 2, − 1 .

The x-coordinate of the vertex is where the function's maximum value occurs.
So, the function's maximum value occurs at x = − 2.

The y-coordinate of the vertex is the function's maximum value.

So, the function's maximum value is − 1.

ANSWER

Does the function have a minimum or maximum value?

Minimum Maximum

Where does the minimum or maximum value occur?

x = −2

What is the function's minimum or maximum value?

−1