answersLogoWhite

0

Since I can't show you graphs on Answers I must ask you to visualise a parabola that does cross the x-axis at two points. (It doesn't matter whether the parabola is 'open' at the top or at the bottom.) For example, we could consider the parabola

5x2 + 9x - 2

We find that it crosses the x-axis at x = 1/5 and x = -2. We call these solutions or roots of

5x2 + 9x - 2 = 0, and we can show that each of these solutions can be used to create a factor of the original parabola.

x = 1/5 yields the factor x - 1/5 :

which we demonstrate by dividing 5x2 + 9x - 2 by x - 1/5 to get 5x + 10 even (and we can check that x - 1/5 multiplied by 5x + 10 yields the original parabola).

x = -2 yields the factor x + 2 :

which we again demonstrate by dividing 5x2 + 9x - 2 by x + 2 to get 5x - 1 even.

The point of this is that when a parabola crosses the x-axis it has solutions that yield factors. However, if it doesn't cross the x-axis it cannot have solutions (because it cannot 'equal' zero), and therefore cannot be factored.

User Avatar

Wiki User

11y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

Can you write the equation of a parabola that doesn't cross the x-axis in factored form?

No.


Can a cross protect me from a ghost?

i guess cross doesnt have an effect on ghost...


Would the cross section of a satellite dish be modeled by a linear or a quadratic equation?

The satellite dish is a parabolic reflector. A parabola cannot be modeled by a linear equation because a linear equation is one that graphs as a straight line. It takes a second degree expression to plot it, and that means a quadratic equation.


When do you cross multiply to solve an equation?

When doing fractions, you may cross multiply.


What do you get when you cross a mathmatician with a rubber band?

an equation


Why doesnt the graph of a rational function cross its vertical asymptote?

It can.


How many cars cross the peace bridge each day?

it doesnt matter


Multiplying each numerator in the original rational equation by the denominator from the opposite side of the rational equation is known as?

cross-multiplying


How is a proportion changed into a mathematical equation?

a proportion is an equation. a / b = c / d cross multiply: ad = bc then solve


Can a cube have an octagonal cross section?

No, a cube cannot have an octagonal cross-section.


When cross multiplying do you add then or subtract?

When cross multiplying, you do not add or subtract; instead, you multiply. In the equation ( \frac{a}{b} = \frac{c}{d} ), you cross multiply by calculating ( a \times d ) and ( b \times c ). This results in the equation ( a \times d = b \times c ).


What do you get when you cross a buffalo and a beetle?

They cannot cross breed. You would undoubtedly get a dead beetle.