My question is, on the precal homework you assigned on wed., I'm having some trouble finding the vertex, like on finding the vertex and graphing y=x^2+x+1
I used the formula (-b)/(2a) to find the vertex coordinate x. my
a = 1
b=1
c=1
then my first thing would to be divide -(1)/(2(1))
This would be -(1/2) which would equal my x coordinate then I substitute the x coordinate into y=x^2+x+1 for x and find y to be (7/4)
Then I am confused on how to find my unit to the left and my unit to the right, I was just wondering whether I did this right, I read over the worksheets, but I'm still confused. Thanks
You correctly found the vertex to be (-1/2, 7/4).
The axis of symmetry is the vertical line x = -1/2.
One unit to the right of the axis of symmetry we have x = +1/2. Substitute this into the equation and you will get the y coordinate 1 unit to the right.
One unit to the left of the axis of symmetry we have x = +1/2. Substitute this into the equation and you will get the y coordinate 1 unit to the left.
Your results will agree with the rule that the points 1 unit to the right and 1 unit to the left are a units from the vertex. For this function a = 1, and these points both lie 1 unit higher than the vertex.