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Finding the Zeros and Intercepts of f(x)=3x2+10x8f(x) = 3x^2 + 10x - 8

To find the zeros and intercepts of the quadratic function f(x)=3x2+10x8f(x) = 3x^2 + 10x - 8:

Finding the zeros: Set the function equal to zero, 0=3x2+10x80 = 3x^2 + 10x - 8. Factor the trinomial to obtain (x+4)(3x2)=0(x + 4)(3x - 2) = 0. Apply the zero product property by setting each factor to zero (x+4=0x + 4 = 0 or 3x2=03x - 2 = 0), which yields the solutions x=4x = -4 and x=23x = \frac{2}{3}.

Finding the x-intercepts: An x-intercept occurs when the function's value is zero (y=0y = 0). Since f(4)=0f(-4) = 0 and f(23)=0f(\frac{2}{3}) = 0, the x-intercepts of the graph are the points (4,0)(-4, 0) and (23,0)(\frac{2}{3}, 0).

Finding the y-intercepts: A y-intercept occurs when x=0x = 0. Substitute 00 for xx to find f(0)=3(0)2+10(0)8f(0) = 3(0)^2 + 10(0) - 8, which simplifies to 8-8. Therefore, the y-intercept is the point (0,8)(0, -8).

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Updated 2026-04-30

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