SOLUTION: Help is need to solve this problem as attempts have been made for days without success. Thank you for the assistance. ?) Consider the function f(x) = x^2 + 4x+ 1. Find the x-

Algebra ->  Coordinate-system -> SOLUTION: Help is need to solve this problem as attempts have been made for days without success. Thank you for the assistance. ?) Consider the function f(x) = x^2 + 4x+ 1. Find the x-      Log On


   

Question 158077: Help is need to solve this problem as attempts have been made for days without success. Thank you for the assistance.
?) Consider the function f(x) = x^2 + 4x+ 1. Find the x-coordinate of the vertex of this parabola. Subsititue the two integers to the left and right of h into the function to find the corresponding y.
Below is an attempt to solve this problem.
x = (-b)/ 2a a=1 b=4 c=1
x = (-4)/(2*1)
x = (-4)/2
x = -2

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Well, there's nothing wrong with what you have dome so far!
The value of h can be found if your equation is in the "vertex" form: f%28x%29+=+a%28x-h%29%5E2%2Bk.
In this form, the vertex is located at (h, k), and since you already have the x-coordintate of the vertex (x = -2), then h = -2.
The problem states that you are to substitute the two integers to left and right of h into the funtion to find the corresponding y.
Since h = -2, then the two integers to the left of h would have to be -3 and -4 while the two integers to the right of h would have to be -1 and 0
So you substitute these integers, one-at-a-time into the function and solve for y.
Let's start with x = -4:
f%28-4%29+=+%28-4%29%5E2%2B4%28-4%29%2B1
f%28-4%29+=+16-16%2B1
f%28-4%29+=+1
Now x = -3:
f%28-3%29+=+%28-3%29%5E2%2B4%28-3%29%2B1
f%28-3%29+=+9-12%2B1
f%28-3%29+=+-2
You should be able to do the remaining ones yourself.
If you still have trouble, please re-post.