Question 1 Report
Given is the graph of the relation \(y = ax^{2} + bx + c\) where a, b and c are constants. Use the graph to :
(a) find the roots of the equation \(ax^{2} + bx + c = 0\);
(b) determine the values of constants a, b and c in the relation using the values of the coordinates P and Q and hence write down the relation illustrated in the graph
(c) find the maximum value of y and the corresponding value of x at this point.
(d) find the values of x when y = 2.
The curve is a downward-opening parabola, so the coefficient of \(x^2\) is negative. Its roots are the \(x\)-coordinates where the curve crosses the horizontal axis.
(a) The roots are the \(x\)-intercepts:
\[x=-1.5 \quad \text{or} \quad x=2.\]
(b) The graph crosses the \(y\)-axis at \(6\), so \(c=6\). Therefore,
\[y=ax^2+bx+6.\]
Use each root, where \(y=0\).
When \(x=2\):
\[4a+2b+6=0 \quad\Rightarrow\quad 4a+2b=-6.\]
When \(x=-1.5\):
\[\frac{9}{4}a-\frac{3}{2}b+6=0 \quad\Rightarrow\quad 9a-6b=-24.\]
Multiplying \(4a+2b=-6\) by \(3\) gives \(12a+6b=-18\). Adding this to \(9a-6b=-24\):
\[21a=-42,\qquad a=-2.\]
Then:
\[4(-2)+2b=-6 \Rightarrow 2b=2 \Rightarrow b=1.\]
Hence,
\[a=-2,\qquad b=1,\qquad c=6,\]
and the relation is
\[\boxed{y=-2x^2+x+6}.\]
(c) The maximum is at the vertex. For \(y=ax^2+bx+c\), its \(x\)-coordinate is
\[x=\frac{-b}{2a}=\frac{-1}{2(-2)}=0.25.\]
\[y=-2(0.25)^2+0.25+6=6.125.\]
So the maximum value is
\[\boxed{6.125\text{ at }x=0.25}.\]
The graph may lead to approximate readings of \(x\approx0.2\) and \(y\approx6.2\), but \(0.25\) and \(6.125\) are the exact values from the equation.
(d) Set \(y=2\):
\[-2x^2+x+6=2.\]
\[2x^2-x-4=0.\]
\[x=\frac{1\pm\sqrt{(-1)^2-4(2)(-4)}}{2(2)} =\frac{1\pm\sqrt{33}}{4}.\]
\[\boxed{x\approx-1.2 \quad \text{or} \quad x\approx1.7}.\]
Examination reminder: Use the intercepts to find roots, the \(y\)-intercept to identify \(c\), and then substitute the known points into the quadratic to determine \(a\) and \(b\).
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